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Celebrated tennis player Maria Sharapova officially launched ETA Star Group's iconicDhs2.4bn lifestyle project the Dubai Lifestyle City (DLC) in Dubailand, the region's largest tourism, leisure, entertainment and lifestyle destination.
Alongside the launch, Maria Sharapova also inaugurated the Dubai Lifestyle City Wall of Fame, one of the many unique attractions that will mark the project said Arif B Rahman, Managing Director, Dubai Lifestyle City.
He added, 'We invited Maria Sharapova to launch the project to investors because Maria represents the concept of haute living personified by Dubai Lifestyle City. She epitomizes the success, style and standard that a Dubai Lifestyle City home-owner would aspire for. Plus with her strong ties with the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy and IMG Academies, she can identify with the benefits it brings to an aspiring athlete.'
Maria Sharapova Tennis Star said, 'I am honored to be invited as the Guest of Honor for the Dubai Lifestyle City launch. The project looks gorgeous with its Tuscan style architecture; JW Marriott serviced villas and the first of a kind digital community created by Microsoft. In addition I can say from experience that having an institution like IMG Academies in your back-yard is an excellent opportunity for all aspiring athletes in the region.'
'My ties with the IMG Academies are extensive, going back as old as when I was nine years old. I trained and grew up at the Academy. Now as IMG becomes a part of Dubai Lifestyle City's realty offering I like the idea of the impact it will have on the sports enthusiasts and athletes in the region. Obviously, it is not only meant for athletes like me. Dubai Lifestyle City residents, members and guests of all ages and abilities can benefit from the IMG Academies, Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy and David Leadbetter Golf Academy.'
Mohammed Al Habbai, Chief Executive Officer, DubailandTM, said, Dubai Lifestyle City, based in Dubailand sprawling over an area of four million square feet, is envisaged as a unique destination that offers its residents and visitors an enchanting lifestyle within a calm and natural environment.
Expressing his happiness at the opening of an IMGA branch in DLC, Jamal Pritchard, International Business Development Manager, IMG Academies, said, 'Historically we have seen the value proposition of a residential community close to the IMG Academies grow exponentially. This is primarily because families wanting to train their children find it ideal to relocate permanently close to the Academy. However, now with the Academy located within a multi-dimensional residential community like Dubai Lifestyle City, this proposition is amplified manifolds. Our various sports training activities will be useful for not just aspiring athletes, but also lay health enthusiasts who want to lead a healthy and dynamic lifestyle,' he added.
The project partners include some of the most respected international brands to give it a special touch of efficacy, exclusivity and credibility, including JW Marriott, IMG Academies, Cisco and Microsoft. Tony Ashai, the celebrated Beverley Hills designer, has designed Dubai Lifestyle City in the famed Tuscany style of architecture, reminiscent of the renaissance. It will consist of 68 signature villas and 120 apartments; all branded as JW Marriott Residences.
IMG Academies, which houses Maria Sharapova's alma mater Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, is partnering with Dubai Lifestyle City to set up the first branch of the famed academy outside the United States. Until recently, Sharapova lived most of the year near the IMG training facility in Bradenton. The ace sports institution, known for training the likes of Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Maria Sharapova and Monica Seles, will for the first time through Dubai Lifestyle City make available to the region world-class training facilities for all sports, particularly tennis and golf.
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