While the announcement came as a surprise to many and was expected from several others, but the fact of the matter is that one of the world's major international sporting award ceremonies is to be held in the capital for the second consecutive time.

It is to be mentioned here that the Laureus World Sports Awards will be organized at the Emirates Palace hotel on February 7. In fact, it will be shown live on television to a worldwide audience.

On the one end, several leading sportsmen and women will travel to the emirate to salute the world's finest athletes of the year while the winners will be selected by the 46 member committee of the Laureus World Sports Academy. It may be noted here that the committee of the academy consists of internationally renowned athletes.

The Laureus Academy chairman and double Olympic 400m hurdle champion, Edwin Moses said that his last visit to UAE was very memorable and it also gave the world a top class awards ceremony.

He also mentioned here that it is one of the most exciting cities in the world and it is expected that this year's ceremony will be yet another memorable event.