Laureus World Sports Awards to feature world’s best in sports

Abu Dhabi: The who’s who of the sporting world will descend on the UAE capital when it hosts the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards on March 10.

Among the members of the Laureus World Sports Academy and the Laureus Friends and Ambassadors programme expected here are a host of names from the world of cricket, athletics, motorsports, football, golf and many more.

From the racing fraternity, there is Giacomo Agostini, the Italian multi-time world champion Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and Mika Häkkinen, the two-time Formula One World Champion.

Also coming are British racing legend David Coulthard and tennis and cricket stars, Sir Ian Botham, OBE, who was recently inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame; and Kapil Dev, one of India’s greatest cricketers.

Brian Lara, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time; and Monica Seles, former World No. 1 professional tennis player and a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame are also expected to attend.

Also flying in for the event will be football legend Franz Beckenbauer; golf stalwart Gary Player; American professional skateboarder Tony Hawk; and English rower Sir Steven Geoffrey Redgrave, who won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000.

Morne du Plessis, the former South African rugby union player who is often described as one of the Springboks’ most successful captains is also flying in.

In addition, a wealth of athletic stars will also be present such as Sergei Bubka, the Ukrainian pole vaulter who was repeatedly voted the world’s best athlete, and many others.