(CNN) -- Over the past decade the Middle East has made a massive move to secure some of the world's major sporting events. Abu Dhabi won the right to host a Formula One Grand Prix beginning in 2009, Qatar was successful in its FIFA World Cup bid for 2022 and the world's top tennis players and golfers regularly head to the region for big tour tournaments. Among the sporting push in the region is sailing; nine teams are currently taking part in the "Sailing Arabia - the Tour" -- the Middle East's version of Europe's Le Tour de France a la Voile. The event sees the fleet sail throughout the region from Bahrain to Oman.
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The Middle East has moved to secure some of the world's major sporting events
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Volvo Ocean Race stopped in Abu Dhabi for the first time
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Sailing organizations are seeing the financial benefits of the Middle East
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