Real Madrid President Florentino Perez and His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Emir of Ras al-Khaimah, presided over the laying of the foundation stone of the Real Madrid Resort Island, a holiday resort to be developed in the United Arab Emirates. Over 200 guests and close to 100 media platforms from all over the world gathered in the event.
The objective is to open the resort in 2015 as the first holoday sports resort in Asia. Apart from Florentino Perez, the event was attended, representing the Real Madrid, Nicolas Martin-Sanz, member of the board of the club, Jose Angel Sanchez, General Director, Emilio Butragueno, Institutional relations Director, and Zinedine Zidane, Football first team Director.
It is expected to have one million visitors per year and will house a theme park, the first stadium open to sea, numerous sports facilities, a sports port, a residencial area and luxury hotels. One billion dollars have been invested in the project. Yesterday, was laid the foundation stone and the target is to open its doors in January 2015.
Florentino Perez stressed the importance that the project will have to increase the influence of Real Madrid in the Middle East: "Today is a special day for the entire Real Madrid family. Our presence in the Middle East and Asia no doubt makes us stronger, but it especially makes us more beloved. Real Madrid Resort Island will make all our supporters proud".
The president continues with his strategic plan to extend the Real Madrid all over the world: "Our club was born 110 years ago and it gradually became a universal legend. Real Madrid resort Island fits perfectly into our institution's global aspirations because we at Real Madrid firmly believe that frontiers shouldn't exist in football, nor in sports in general. We want to turn this splendind part of the world into a place that serves to make people from different nationalities come together through their fascination for sport, for football and for Real Madrid. We are honoured and proud for this, which we regard as a great challenge and for which we feel immense responsibility".