Dubai hosted the 1986 Chess Olympics
Venue was the World Trade Center
Dubai produced a promotional video
By 1980s Dubai's Expatriate population had grown
They identified with Dubai as their home albeit not their permanent home.
Nevertheless when Sal Davis's song Back in Dubai was broadcast on local radio,
it immediately connected with Dubai's Expatriate Community.
Back in Dubai is still remembered and continues to be played and sung today.
Salim Abdallah Salim born in Mombasa on March 31, 1941. Went to the UK to study his ‘‘O’’ Levels at Portsmouth College of Technology. He abandoned his ambitions to study law and instead plunged into show business, performing cover versions of his favourite calypso songs by Harry Belafonte in nightclubs. By 1962 he was a professional singer, adopting the stage name Sal Davis. Sal is a short form of his first name while Davis is taken from his musical idol Sammy Davis Jr. Sal played a major part in Kenya's Independence celebrations in 1963, recording the song Uhuru in praise of the federation of the three East African states. He also performed at the Independence Civic Ball alongside Harry Belafonte and South African icon Miriam Makeba. Sal enjoyed a string of hits in the 1960s, notably Makini, the flip side to the single Uhuru, and his version of Ray Charles' song, Unchain My Heart. He also worked as a broadcaster with the BBC from 1964 to 1966, presenting news and current affairs, and Voice of Kenya, presenting Sundowner on radio and TV current affairs programme, Mambo Leo.
In 1967, he ran The Sal Davis Night Spot, which later became the New Florida Night Club on Nairobi’s Koinange Street. He also went into the aviation business with Davis Air Limited owning three light aircraft operating out of Wilson Airport. Though officially retired in Nyali, Mombasa, Sal occasionally joins his daughter, Maia von Lekow, during her own performances.