Egyptian Modern Sport Expands Presence in UAE with New Sharjah Headquarters Opening
Egyptian football club Modern Sport has opened its new headquarters in Sharjah, marking a significant expansion into the UAE market. The move highlights the UAE's growing appeal as a hub for regional sports development and reflects the country's ability to attract ambitious international football projects.
The opening ceremony brought together key figures from both countries, including Mohammed Jumaa bin Hindi, chairman of Sharjah Sports Club, and Dr. Walid Daabas, president of Modern Sport. This partnership represents more than just a business expansion – it's part of a broader strategy to build professional football infrastructure across multiple countries.
Modern Sport's decision to establish its regional base in the UAE wasn't random. The club has already participated in the UAE's third division league and found the country's sports environment ideal for growth. The UAE offers advanced sporting infrastructure, supportive regulations, and policies that give clubs significant freedom to develop young talent.
Bin Hindi praised the club's professional setup and facilities, noting that Modern Sport's presence in Sharjah will enhance cooperation between UAE and Egyptian football. "This partnership is an important step for developing football in the region and reflects the depth of UAE-Egypt relations in sports," he said.
Dr. Daabas explained that choosing the UAE as their international expansion base was strategic. The country provides a professional working environment and proven sports expertise that the club wants to tap into. "Opening our headquarters in Sharjah is a key milestone in our regional expansion plan," he said.
The club has ambitious local goals too. Modern Sport aims to climb through the UAE football divisions to reach the professional league. They also plan to establish academies targeting Emirati players and developing youth programs. UAE regulations regarding resident players create strong incentives for building comprehensive football projects.
But Modern Sport's vision extends well beyond the UAE. Dr. Daabas revealed plans for an international network of four clubs in the initial phase, each with dedicated hotel facilities. The expansion will start from the UAE, then move to Nigeria, and eventually reach Europe, specifically Ireland. The goal is to develop players capable of professional careers while creating a sustainable economic model based on player development and transfers.
Here's what makes this interesting: Modern Sport is essentially using the UAE as a launchpad for a global football business model. The country's infrastructure, regulations, and strategic location make it an ideal base for clubs looking to operate across multiple continents.
For the UAE, this represents another example of how the country is becoming a regional sports hub. International clubs increasingly see the Emirates as offering world-class facilities and business-friendly policies that support long-term growth.
The partnership also shows how football is becoming more globalized at lower levels. While top-tier clubs have operated internationally for years, smaller clubs are now building multi-country networks to develop talent and create sustainable revenue streams.
Sara Khaled