Maradona to join Mourinho on opening day of conference

Organisers Dubai Sports Council has clubbed two football legends to speak at the same session during the course of the 7th Dubai International Sports Conference to be held at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel on December 28-29.

Though the details of the final schedule for the two-day conference are still being finalised, the Dubai Sports Council has put Argentinean legend Diego Maradona and Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho in a unique discussion session on the opening day of the conference.

"This session will be like a dream come true for the world of football. To have one of the world’s best players on the same platform as the world’s best coaches is something that has not happened in a long time," remarked Mohammed Al Kamali, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the 7th Dubai International Sports Conference.

"I am convinced that the attention of the entire footballing fraternity will be on Dubai to see how these two geniuses conduct themselves during such an august gathering," the Dubai Sports Council official added.

Real Madrid coach Mourinho was the last high-profile personality to confirm earlier this week for this annual conference that is held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council.

This year’s panel of speakers and attendees is like a ‘who’s who’ list in the world of football starting off with UEFA President Michel Platini, FC Barcelona President Alexandre Rosell, Russia team coach Fabio Capello, players agent Jorge Mendes, Atletico Madrid’s Colombian striker Radamel Falcao and FC Barcelona defender Eric Abidal, to name a few.

Since 2006, the Dubai Sports Council has been organising this conference to attract high-profile decision-makers and professionals from the local and international football community to discuss relevant matters related to professionalism in the sport.

Both Maradona and Mourinho do not need any introduction in the world of sport with both of them known to be among the most vocal while voicing their opinion in football circles.

Maradona is currently the official sporting ambassador for Dubai.

"Though Mourinho has been a bit down of late due to the results at Real Madrid we believe his time in Dubai will be the best thing for him to recharge and get his club’s campaign running during the new year," Mohammed Al Kamali maintained.

"I am sure both men will throw a lot of light on the hidden side of the football world. Both are contemporaries and it will be a treat to listen to their experiences," he added.

For more information contact: Murad Al-Masri

Press Confernces and News Officer

Mobile: +971 55 1058096

Dubai Sports Council

Tel: 04 3244446

Fax: 04 3244449

P.O. Box: 9888 Dubai – UAE

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