The 5th DSF ladies volleyball tournament officially inaugurated last night

DUBAI (UAE), 19 February 2008: Ten regional ladies volleyball teams are all set to compete for the 5th Dubai shopping festival ladies volleyball tournament - The Hydra Properties Cup, which was officially inaugurated last night (February 18), and will continue till February 22 at Al Wasl club's Rashid Bin Maktoum indoor sports hall. Hydra Properties, the leading UAE real estate developer's sponsorship of the tournament comes in line with its ongoing efforts to support sports championships and tournaments.

Elaborating on the company's focus to sponsor such athletic events, Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, Chief Executive Officer, Hydra Properties, said: "We are honoured to be associated with this ladies volleyball tournament as our company is always keen in supporting all sports activities which reflects the country's evolvement into a premier sports destination. Being the event's main sponsor gives us a unique opportunity to do something significant in contributing towards the development and enhancing the unique and vital role of women in our society."

The Hydra Properties Cup sponsorship comes as a good will gesture to the call made by Shaikha Shamsa Bint Hasher Al Maktoum, the UAE volleyball association board member and the ladies volleyball committee head, who had called on all establishments and companies in the UAE to support ladies volleyball in the UAE.

The 5th Dubai Shopping Festival volleyball tournament for ladies - Hydra Properties Cup volleyball tournament which is witnessing the participation of a total of ten teams; the Al Wasl 'A' and 'B' ladies teams and the ladies teams from Al Shabab and Al Ahli club as well as teams from the American University of Dubai and Sharjah, the Al Qalmoon club and Al Barbara club of Lebanon, the national ladies volleyball teams of Qatar, and Sudan, are taking part in the tournament. The tournament is divided into three groups, one group with four participating teams and two groups with three teams each, the top team and runner up of each group qualify for the semi-finals.

The participating teams have expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the role played by Hydra Properties in supporting and sponsoring the tournament which will only reflect on enhancing the level of the game within the region and will empower participating teams to further compete on the regional and international arena.

As a real estate developer Hydra Properties continues to play a vital role in the transformation and building of the UAE through its most prestigious state of the art residential and business developments. Hydra Properties maintains its commitments to contribute to society in general and youth development in particular through its consistent efforts to support various social and cultural activities.

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About Hydra Properties
Hydra Properties is a privately owned company, established in 2006 in Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE. The main scope of its business is real estate development, with activities in the UAE, the Middle East, and the World. Since inception, the company adopted using the best international building criteria in the world, and introducing new concepts. The company has aspired to more, it is concerned with developing comprehensive human societies, with fun, leisure and entertainment factors will demonstrated in its developments. It has even adopted a humanitarian approach to indicate development.

Hydra Properties was able to expand in the UAE with several mega projects in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. While its efforts to expand globally has taken it to Mexico, where it has developed 'Hydra Waves', one of the largest projects in North Mexico. The company plans to expand even more, with development projects in several other countries.

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Press Release 2008