News
Sport Impact Summit: Rewriting the Rules of Sport and Sustainability
Exclusive Interview with Michael Gietzen, Co-Founder, Sport Impact Summit (SIS)

What inspired you to create the Sport Impact Summit, and how has its mission evolved since the first edition?
Sport is a bit of a superpower. It transcends borders, beliefs, and language – it unites in a way few things can. We launched the Summit to channel that force into solving big global issues. What began as a space to share good ideas has evolved into a full-blown catalyst for action – part movement, part think tank, part matchmaking service for people who want to change the world through sport.
The 2024 edition drew major global players. What were your biggest takeaways?
Collaboration is the new competition – SailGP, McLaren, Laureus all showed how working together unlocks scale. Athletes like Lucy Shuker are more than role models – they’re accelerators of impact. And innovation? Just look at REFLO’s circular economy kit. My personal highlight? The Money Ball panel – Dureka Carrasquillo on commercial sustainability was sheer gold.
How did the UAE Ministry of Sports help shape the summit?
Sheikh Suhail’s support was game-changing. He’s a genuine sustainability advocate and helped us turn ambition into action. His backing brought global momentum – and the Sport Impact Declaration was born from that partnership. It’s not just paper. It’s a living pledge – uniting athletes, federations and brands to drive real, measurable change. And yes, we even got our hands dirty planting mangroves with Goumbook. That’s how we do legacy.
What’s on the horizon for SIS 2025?
We’re levelling up – new partnerships in the pipeline (some I can mention, some I really can’t…yet). Think ATP, REFLO, SailGP. Think immersive experiences that make sustainability impossible to ignore. We’re not just talking the talk – we’re building a sport-for-good ecosystem.
How will the Sport World Sustainability Awards shape global dialogue?
Awards make the invisible visible. They turn good practice into gold standard. We’re not just handing out trophies – we’re setting benchmarks and creating a platform where athletes, brands and fans get to rewrite the rules together. The real win? Inspiring the next wave of bold, sustainable ideas – and making them go viral.
Why is the UAE perfectly placed to lead sport and sustainability?
Few places combine ambition, agility and audience like the UAE. It’s a sandbox for big ideas – with mega-events like F1, tennis and golf acting as global loudspeakers. Add visionary leadership and a future-obsessed mindset? You’ve got the perfect storm for sustainable innovation.
How does the UAE’s sporting calendar support SIS?
These events aren’t just spectacles – they’re platforms. They give SIS scale, visibility and momentum. Our partners – DET, DSC, the UAE Ministry of Sport – are aligned on one mission: making sport a force for good. Whether it’s policy change or inspiring public health – the UAE gets that sport is about legacy, not just medals.
How do you balance creativity, sustainability and scale at a global level?
You don’t balance them – you blend them. Sustainability isn’t a constraint; it’s a creative brief. The best ideas come from tough questions like: “How do we eliminate waste and wow people?” And scale? It makes good ideas stick. Get this right and sustainability becomes the showstopper, not the sideshow.
What role do collaborations play in delivering real outcomes?
Collaboration is the cheat code. Governments bring policy. NGOs bring people. Brands bring innovation. When you get them all playing to their strengths – with SIS as the orchestrator – you move from chat to change. That’s the real win: actionable alliances, not just panel sessions and platitudes.
Why should brands and institutions invest in platforms like SIS?
Because it’s where purpose meets performance. It’s not CSR fluff – it’s brand equity, talent attraction, investor interest. Sport Impact turns abstract ambitions into practical results. And it connects you to the people actually shaping the future of sport. In short: if you care about impact, SIS is the fastest route to relevance.
In your view, how can sport be more effectively used as a tool for systemic change, particularly around climate action and wellbeing?
Sport has the rare power to reach hearts and headlines at scale. It connects emotionally, builds community, and holds the attention of billions, that’s a perfect recipe for systemic change.
When athletes speak up on climate, fans listen. When venues go zero-waste, it becomes a visible proof of what’s possible. And when sport prioritises wellbeing, such as the physical, mental, and emotional, it normalises healthier lives.
We’ve seen sparks: carbon-neutral tournaments, mental health initiatives, athlete-led campaigns. Now the challenge is scale. That means innovation, incentives, and storytelling that makes sustainability feel like a core part of the game, not an optional extra. Sport isn’t just a mirror to society. It can be the lever that moves it.
What advice would you give to young professionals or changemakers who want to work at the intersection of sport, sustainability, and innovation?
Learn to speak both languages; the commercial reality of sport and the systems thinking of sustainability. That’s where the real impact happens.
Be a storyteller. Show how sustainability enhances performance, legacy, and fan loyalty. Start small, measure everything, and scale what works. Find your crew, because this space thrives on cross-sector collaboration. Be the bridge between ambition and action.
And remember: this field is wide open. Sport needs fresh thinking. Sustainability needs scale. Innovation needs a stage. You’ve picked the right arena, now go play.
Financial
Dhruva to Rebrand as Ryan Across the Middle East, Signaling Unified Global Brand
Dhruva will adopt the Ryan brand across the UAE and Saudi Arabia by the end of 2026, uniting the practice with Ryan’s global identity and international platform.
Dhruva, a leading tax consultancy firm in the Middle East, and Ryan, a leading global tax services and software provider, today announced that Dhruva will transition to the Ryan brand across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The rebranding will be completed by the end of 2026, bringing the practice under Ryan’s global identity and reinforcing its position as part of the world’s leading global-scale specialist in business tax.
The transition marks the next phase of the strategic joint venture announced in 2025 and reflects the continued integration of Dhruva’s regional capabilities with Ryan’s global platform, technology, and international resources. Clients across the Middle East will continue to benefit from the same trusted advisory teams, enhanced by access to Ryan’s worldwide expertise and service capabilities.
“The Middle East has been a strategic growth market for us for many years, and we have built a strong advisory practice founded on deep client relationships, technical excellence, and local market understanding,” said Dinesh Kanabar, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Dhruva Advisors and Vice Chairman, Ryan.
“The transition to the Ryan brand marks a significant milestone in our journey and reflects the strength of our partnership. By combining our regional expertise with Ryan’s global scale, technology, and international capabilities, we are creating an even stronger platform to support clients across the region as they navigate an increasingly dynamic and evolving tax landscape.”
“The Middle East is one of the most important growth markets for tax advisory services globally, and we are investing in the region with a long-term view,” said Tom Shave, President of Ryan’s European and Asia-Pacific Operations. “Uniting under the Ryan brand strengthens how we serve clients across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Europe—bringing seamless access to our global expertise, technology, and international resources through one trusted platform. This transition marks an important milestone in our integration and reinforces our commitment to the region’s future.”
Ryan will continue to invest in its Middle East operations, expanding its team, capabilities, and regional presence across key markets, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh. The practice provides comprehensive tax advisory services spanning corporate tax, value-added tax (VAT) and indirect tax, transfer pricing, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) tax structuring, research and development (R&D), and cross-border compliance.
“The response from our clients over the past year has been the clearest validation of this partnership,” said Nimish Goel, Leader, Middle East, Dhruva, a Ryan Affiliate. “From the outset, our teams have been integrating Ryan’s global capabilities in technology, specialized expertise, and best practices into the work we already lead in the region. Adopting the Ryan brand is the natural next step. It is the same people and the same trusted relationships, now carrying the name of the largest Firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business taxes.”
The rebranding will be implemented in phases during the second half of 2026, with signage, visual identity, and digital properties transitioning to the Ryan brand across the region.
News
GFH Partners Manrre REIT (CEIC) PLC and Palmon Group unveil new temperature-controlled chemical warehouse in JAFZA
GFH Partners Manrre REIT (CEIC) PLC (“Manrre” or “the Fund”), managed by GFH Partners Ltd. (“GFH Partners”), together with its development manager Palmon Group FZCO (“Palmon Group”), today announced the opening of a specialised temperature-controlled chemical warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), further expanding the Fund’s Grade A logistics portfolio.
The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Mr Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World GC, alongside senior officials and dignitaries from Jebel Ali Free Zone, GFH Partners, and Palmon Group.
Purpose-built and developed by Palmon Group to meet stringent international safety and compliance standards, the new facility reflects the rising regional demand for certified chemical storage infrastructure that supports manufacturing, energy, industrial services, and third-party logistics. The warehouse is situated on a 180,000sq ft plot with a built-up area of 112,000 sq ft, divided into three temperature-controlled chambers that reach a maximum height of 13 metres. The warehouse has been designed with advanced Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR), and in-rack sprinkler systems to ensure safety and resilience across all operations.
The facility’s layout allows storage of a diverse range of hazard-classified chemicals. One chamber is configured for UN Class 3 and 4 chemicals, a second accommodates UN Class 5 chemicals, while the third has been developed for UN Class 6, 8, 9 and non-regulated materials. The warehouse offers capacity for 17,400 pallets and includes nine loading docks and three loading bays. The office space has been intentionally limited to three percent of the total built-up area, maximising operational efficiency and warehouse utility.
Speaking on the launch, Kunal Lahori, CEO of Palmon Group and Board Member of Manrre, said: “This new facility brings together precision engineering, regulatory compliance, and long-term value creation. Specialised chemical storage requires a high degree of control and risk management, and we have developed this warehouse to meet those expectations while offering flexibility and scalability for tenants. As one of the earliest developers in Jafza, Palmon Group remains committed to supporting the UAE’s logistics and industrial growth.”
Mohamed Ali, Head of GCC at GFH Partners, said: “The opening of this warehouse marks another important milestone in the expansion of the GFH Partners Manrre REIT portfolio, particularly in mission-critical industrial and logistics assets that serve high-growth sectors. The UAE continues to see strong demand for specialised storage solutions, and this facility reinforces our strategy to develop resilient, future-ready assets that deliver long-term value for our investors.”
The logistics hub is now fully operational and is leased to Safe Logistics. The new facility is expected to play a significant role in strengthening regulated supply chains and supporting Dubai’s position as one of the region’s foremost logistics and industrial hubs.
News
Big Ticket joins DP World ILT20 Season 4 as Official Partner
Big Ticket, the largest and longest-running guaranteed raffle draw in the Middle East (known for cash prizes, dream luxury cars, gold bars and coins) has joined the DP World International League T20 Season 4 as an Official Partner.
In recent years, Big Ticket has become more than just a raffle, it has gained the reputation of being a brand built around rewarding dreams and celebrating ambition, growing into one of the region’s largest and one of the most anticipated monthly draws in the UAE.
DP World ILT20 – the 34-match cricketing extravaganza – the biggest T20 tournament in the region featuring some of the most renowned global cricket stars is currently being played at the Dubai International Stadium, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

DP World ILT20 Head of Partnerships Ishan Chopra: “We are delighted to welcome a UAE born raffle giant like Big Ticket as an Official Partner of the DP World ILT20. Their legacy of helping dreams come true aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering unforgettable, fan-first experiences across the league. This partnership strengthens our commitment to creating moments of excitement both on and off the field, and we look forward to elevating Season 4 together. With a household name like Big Ticket on board, we are confident of unlocking even more opportunities for fans to engage, celebrate and go All In for Cricket.”
Meanwhile, DP World ILT20 match tickets across all categories are available for the remaining tournament matches. Various spectator stand tickets start at AED 20 and hospitality packages start from AED 325. Fans can also book the new Sixes Lounge experience for AED 395, which includes unlimited food and beverages. Tickets can be purchased by visiting tickets.ilt20.ae or Virgin Megastores.
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