It is strange how sport and society goes hand in hand. Sport is big business these days and more importantly has come to define the eras we live in. Indeed we make heroes out of sportsmen and recall the sporting events that we witness as key moments in our own lives. Babe Ruth signs for the Yankees in 1921, Owens wins four gold medals in 1936, Bannister breaks the four minute mile in 1954, Ali shakes up the world in 1964, Brazil play the beutifual game in 1970, Montanna throws a hail mary of a pass in 1989 and so on – and Dubai wants a piece of that.

Over the last decade Dubai has gone to great lengths to create a supercity of skyscrapers and import cultures from around the world. Sport has often been used to by Dubai to legitimise its aspirations. They have numerous sporting sponshorship deals accross the world, they even have the odd event, but what they do not have is those all defining moments that sport conjures up.

It is no secret that Dubai aspires to have the World Cup and the Olympic Games, but for now it is setting it’s sights on the Ryder Cup. For the Ryder Cup gives you the drama that Dubai is looking for. David Spencer, the chief executive of Leisurecorp, confirmed the group’s interest in heading a bid for the Ryder Cup: “It’s a given that the Ryder Cup in 2018 will not be in the UK or Ireland. Is it possible for the UAE or Qatar to make a bid? Yes”

Although not everyone is sold on the idea. Sir Michael Bonallack, the former R&A secretary, said: “The Gulf is a major part of the European tour now and I’m sure they’d host it well. My concern would be whether they would get the crowds that we see in Europe. It would be great for the fans to experience it as long as it’s not too expensive.”

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