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Moderated by Rania Saadi, the session featured three world-renowned athletes turned entrepreneurs: two-time world boxing champion Amir Khan, former Dutch footballer Edgar Davids, and ex-French football captain and investor Patrice Evra, who discussed how the UAE’s dynamic ecosystem, safety, and inclusivity have made it a natural hub for global achievers transitioning into business and creative ventures.
Boxing champion Amir Khan commended the UAE’s environment as ideal for entrepreneurship and youth development. “When it comes to business, this is the place to be,” said Khan, who operates several boxing academies in the country, including the AK Academy by BoxIQ, which focuses on training young athletes.
He emphasised the UAE’s diversity and safety as major advantages, contrasting his experiences abroad. Recalling an armed robbery he experienced in London in 2022, Khan reflected, “That experience changed my life. It made me appreciate the peace, security, and respect that the UAE offers. Here, people respect your time, your space, and your purpose; it truly feels like home.”
Former Manchester United and France national team captain Patrice Evra highlighted the UAE’s geographic advantage and connectivity. “Nearly two-thirds of the world’s population is within a four-hour flight of the UAE,” he noted. “As a businessman, that makes all the difference.”
Evra, who made his first UAE investment in 2014 and later moved to the country, said the UAE’s location and innovation-friendly environment have transformed his lifestyle and career. “When I managed my company in the UK, the world felt remote. Now, I can attend meetings in Asia and return home the same day. The UAE makes life more connected and opportunities limitless.”
He now oversees five companies spanning technology, wellness, beauty, and real estate. “Every day here, you meet people who share your ambition. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” Evra concluded.
Former Dutch international Edgar Davids, who moved to the UAE in 2016, reflected on the country’s ability to inspire creativity and entrepreneurship. “There’s incredible energy here,” he said. “In Sharjah, especially, you see art, culture, and innovation intersecting, from the Sharjah International Book Fair to cultural landmarks like the House of Wisdom. Even the desert itself inspires. Sharjah teaches you, welcomes you, and reminds you that this is your home.”
Davids shared how his ventures have developed from real estate and trade into art and design, describing the UAE as a place “where communities truly live, learn, and create together.”
The discussion was part of the second day of SIF–WIC 2025, held under the theme “Transforming Our World: Investing for a Resilient and Sustainable Future.” The two-day forum, organised by the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) in collaboration with WAIPA and the UAE Ministry of Investment, attracted over 10,000 participants from 142 countries. It featured 130 international speakers and more than 160 sessions examining global investment trends, sustainability, and innovation.
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