HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, who was the guest of honour at the 2010 Omega Dubai Ladies Masters prize presentation ceremony, receiving a tournament memento from Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, at the Emirates Golf Club

DUBAI, July 4 — The profile of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters has scaled a new high with HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein — the wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai — granting her official patronage to the season-ending Ladies European Tour event to be held at the Emirates Golf Club from December 11 to 17 later this year.

Since making its debut in 2006, the tournament, promoted and organized by ‘golf in DUBAi’, has showcased a galaxy of superstars from all over the world, making it one of the most sought-after events outside a major, and HRH Princess Haya’s patronage is an apt recognition to the role played by the event in promoting ladies golf in the region.

HRH Princess Haya is a woman of many facets and a role model for women around the world. She is a devoted wife and mother, a former Olympic athlete, a humanitarian, a member of the International Olympic Committee, a UN Messenger of Peace, President of the International Equestrian Federation and the only Jordanian woman who holds a license to drive heavy trucks.

“We feel privileged and honoured that HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein has extended her patronage to the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of ‘golf in DUBAi. It only underlines the support that the event receives from the Government of Dubai.

“Sport forms an integral part of Dubai’s growth strategy and international events like the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters fits well with an ambitious Dubai’s drive to enhance the Emirate’s image as an Arab city with an international spirit and sensibility.

“The independent facts provided by the Ladies European Tour amply confirm that the event is growing in statute and popularity every year, contributing immensely in showcasing Dubai’s attractions to the world.

“For instance, the fifth edition of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, held from December 5 to 11, 2010, reached 685,361,644 households worldwide and generating 32,340 seconds of media exposure, valued at Dhs 445 million compared to Dhs. 352 million in 2009,” he said.

HRH Princess Haya’s patronage, he said, has further strengthened our resolve to strive and deliver a product in sync with Dubai’s vision of a global business hub, golfing and tourist destination for millions. 

‘golf in DUBAi’, an event management that operates under the umbrella of the Dubai Investment Corporation,  is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Jumeirah, Mercedes-Benz and wasl while Dubai Duty Free, Carpetland and Motivate are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi’s drive to showcase the emirate’s vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.

FACT-FILE

Name: Omega Dubai Ladies Masters

Venue: Emirates Golf Club

Tour: Ladies European Tour

Inaugural event: 2006

Promoters and organisers: ‘golf in DUBAi’

Prize-money: Euro 500,000

Winner’s purse: Euro 75,000

Defending champion: Iben Tinning of Denmak

Roll of honour: Annika Sorenstam of Sweden (2006, 2007), Anja Monke of Germany (2008), In-Kyung Kim of South Korea (2009)