After extensive promotional activity in Dubai and the UK, officials at the $3 billion Dubai Sports City in Dubailand are shifting their focus to major Abu Dhabi investors and individual buyers.

"We feel that people in Dubai understand the concept of the project and that it's not just a collection of stadiums and a golf course, but a fully-integrated, mixed-use community," said Nicola Petts, marketing manager, real estate, Dubai Sports City.

"Now we aim to push brand awareness and target buyers in Abu Dhabi."

With 95 per cent of the 50 million square foot mixed-use project already committed to development, the project is taking shape, with large sections set for completion by 2009.

The Ernie Els-designed golf course, The Dunes, will be ready by the end of this year.

A construction contract was recently awarded to Arabtec-Max Bogl, a joint-venture partnership, to design and build a 60,000-seater multi-purpose outdoor stadium and a 10,000-seater multi-purpose indoor stadium.

A team is currently negotiating with organisers of cultural events and major regional and international sports tournaments to hold their events at Dubai Sports City, said Petts.

However company officials are specifically targeting investment from Abu Dhabi buyers into its Canal Residence West apartments, which the company is developing itself.

Approximately 65 per cent of the 588 apartments have been sold so far and the construction contract will be issued soon, Petts said. The project will be ready by the end of 2008, she added.

"We've been getting a lot of interest at the stand from buyers and investment groups interested in hotels, leasing mall space and the villa community," she said.