A "jury" of 46 living legends of sport will choose their finest sportsmen and women of the year at the event, host partnered by Aabar Investments PJS.

The awards - broadcast to a worldwide TV audience - are again being staged at the Emirates Palace, where winners last year included Usain Bolt, Serena Williams, Jenson Button, Kim Clijsters, Natalie du Toit and Stephanie Gilmore.

His Excellency Khadem Al Qubaisi, chairman of Aabar Investments PJS, said: "The Laureus World Sports Awards is a unique event.

"It was magnificent, a great success for Abu Dhabi when it was held here last March - the whole event was really superb.

"We will certainly try to do something special when we bring the awards back next year."

Academy chairman and double Olympic champion Edwin Moses said: "Our visit to the United Arab Emirates last year was unforgettable and produced a most memorable awards ceremony.

"This is an exciting city with a growing reputation in the sporting world and I am very happy that Laureus can be part of that.

"The welcome we received last year was warm and we look forward to returning to Abu Dhabi to celebrate another memorable year of sport."

Earlier this year double Oscar-winning Hollywood star Kevin Spacey hosted a glittering awards ceremony attended by leading sportsmen and women from around the world.



Also in the audience were Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, British film stars Hugh Grant (pictured) and Clive Owen, and American actors Kyle MacLachlan and Michelle Rodriguez.

Proceeds from the awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports almost 80 community sports projects around the world which have helped to improve the lives of more than one million young people.

Added Moses: "As well as their achievements as sportsmen and women, the members of the Laureus Academy represent the pinnacle of sports knowledge and experience.

"The Academy Forum gives us the chance to meet and discuss a range of burning issues in sport today, as well as focusing on how best we can expand the whole Laureus concept for the good of sport around the world."