At a special interview with TravTalkME, at the Week of the Stars in Sharjah, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority shared the importance of the endorsement of FIFA as the platform reaches millions worldwide and the event also boosts the hotel occupation in the emirate of Sharjah, thereby boosting the economy. HE Midfa reiterated, “It is very important that we witness the fourth edition of Week of the Stars in Sharjah under the kind patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler and Crown Prince of Sharjah. This year, we have some significant new additions. Firstly, the International Football Federation, FIFA, has endorsed our event and the matches played by 36 international football legends who are with us in Sharjah for the coming days. Additionally, the main match on 11 January will be broadcast on the FIFA Plus platform, which reaches hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. This is another major highlight of our fourth edition. We also have the paddle tennis tournaments, which continue to grow with bigger names, more competition, and higher prize money. The football competition is also expanding. Overall, it is a full week of exciting competitions. Some matches are friendly, while others are scheduled rounds. Our priority is always to provide the best experience for our visitors, whether through sports, festivals, cultural events, or activities. Sports tourism, in particular, attracts a strong audience from both the UAE and abroad. Developing sports tourism—from the Grand Prix held a few weeks ago to this event—is a key focus for the Emirate of Sharjah and the SCTDA. Regarding stakeholders, the economic impact of hosting such events is significant. We see higher hotel occupancies depending on the size of the event. Our partners benefit from stronger networks, new opportunities, and potential collaborations with participants from different countries. These events create a meaningful impact and valuable outcomes for everyone involved.”
