Dubai tennis and golf academies scrapped

Nick Bollettieri masterminded the careers of Andre Agassi, Jim Courier and Maria Sharapova [Pictured: Getty Images].

The Nick Bollettieri and David Leadbetter branded sports academies, which were to be based at Dubai Lifestyle City in Dubailand, have been officially scrapped, according to report by  Arabian Business.

Dubai-based developer ETA Star Group struck a deal in 2007 with US-based IMG Academies to develop a range of branded academies at the AED2.4bn ($653m) Dubai Lifestyle City (DLC) in Dubailand, including the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy and David Leadbetter Golf Academy.

“The project being developed in Dubai by ETA Star is no longer affiliated with IMG and has no jurisdiction to operate under the IMG, IMG Academies or Nick Bollettieri name/brand,” a spokesperson from IMG Academies confirmed to Arabian Business.

IMG Academies is a sports education and training facility based in Bradenton, Florida and consists of The Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, The David Leadbetter Golf Academy, the IMG Baseball, IMG Basketball, IMG Soccer, IMG Lacrosse and IMG Football Academies, and the IMG Performance Institute.

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The Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy was set up in 1978 and the legendary coach has masterminded the careers of Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Maria Sharapova and Monica Seles. Initially due to be completed in 2009, the Dubai academy in DLC was to be the first Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy outside the US.

In 1983, the first David Leadbetter Golf Academy was established and there are currently 28 academies in thirteen countries, with the Dubai outpost intended to become the first in the Middle East.

However, the latest statement from IMG Academies confirms that it has severed links with ETA Star and DLC.

When ETA Star was contacted by Arabian Business its spokesperson said it would not be making any comment, and would not confirm or deny the status of the sports academies at DLC.