Real Madrid project

Real Madrid project Abu Dhabi - Arabstoday Footballing giants Real Madrid have unveiled plans to build a $1billion holiday resort in the United Arab Emirates that is due to open in January 2015. 'Real Madrid Resort Island' will be supported by the government of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, the Spanish club said on Thursday. A presentation at the Bernabeu showed plans for sports facilities, a marina, luxury hotels and villas, an amusement park, a club museum and a futuristic 10,000-seat stadium with one side open to the sea. Real president Florentino Perez said: 'It is a decisive and strategic step that will strengthen our institution in the Middle East and Asia.' The 430,000-square metre facility is expected to attract around one million visitors in 2015. Real, nine-times European champions, said the artificial island's location put it equidistant between Europe and the Far East, adding that more than half of their estimated 300million followers were based in Asia. But one man present at the unveiling of the plans looked decidedly unimpressed - Madrid manager Jose Mourinho could not force a smile for the cameras. Nor are sporting legends the only major players to be lured to the UAE. As of 2014, culture vultures will be able to flock to the new Louvre Abu Dhabi museum – an official off-shoot of the great art gallery in Paris. Not to be outdone, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is expected to be completed next year.