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SPORTING
ACTIVITIES
As spectator or participant you can indulge
any or all of your sporting passions in the UAE. Languid days by the
pool or beach can be interspersed with a huge range of sporting
activities, including adventurous exploration of mountain and
desert. Sporting and recreational facilities are exceptional and
major international sporting events are staged at various times of
the year. Your travel agent or hotel can assist in purchasing
tickets or planning an itinerary of activities, alternatively
contact one of the tour providers based in the UAE. If you are
feeling really fit, you can run in the Dubai Marathon!
Camel
Racing
This may be your
only opportunity to view a unique sport that is an integral part of
the heritage of the UAE. Camel racing takes place during the winter
season (Thursdays and Friday mornings, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., from
October to March) at special tracks around the country. The
atmosphere is electric, especially during public holidays when major
races for considerable prize money are held. There is no admission
fee.
Al Wathba
Racetrack is about 45km east of Abu Dhabi. Al Ain Racetrack is
situated approximately 25km from Al Ain on the Abu Dhabi road. Nad
al-Sheba camel track, which has an impressive grandstand in the
shape of a billowing bedouin tent, is located on the outskirts of
Dubai city behind the Metropolitan Hotel. Sharjah, Ajman, Ra’s al-Khaimah
and Fujairah also host camel racing but the camel racetrack, located
between Falaj al-Mualla and Umm al-Qaiwain city, is one of the more
simple and attractive of UAE racetracks.
Check with your tour operator or local newspapers for exact dates
and times of events.
Canoeing
Some tour
operators (e.g. Desert Rangers 04 3460808/3453091
www.desertrangers.com)
organize canoeing trips through the mangroves – no experience is
necessary.
Car Rallying
Emirates Motor
Sports Federation (04 2827111
www.emsfuae.com) organizes a wide range of car rallying events
in the UAE.
The Desert
Challenge, part of the World Cup, is held in the first week in
December.
Cricket
Cricket has a
growing following in the UAE. Top world teams compete in
purpose-built cricket stadiums in Sharjah (06 5322991), and Abu
Dhabi Abu Dhabi Cricket Council (02 6459790). The Council
organizes a range of matches and tournaments throughout the year,
including the Abu Dhabi Duty Free Tournament.
Al Ain Cricket
Association (050 6231590)
grounds are located between the Hilton and Intercontinental hotels.
Darjeeling Cricket Club, Dubai
(04 3331746) runs regular matches against visiting sides.
Football
Football fans need
not be deprived of their favourite sport since soccer is also the
most popular national sport in the UAE. There are stadiums galore,
including Zayed Sports City, the biggest sports complex in the
Middle East. Check in local newspapers for fixtures.
www.uae-football.org.ae
Abu Dhabi
Strollers Football Club (050
6127957) provides expatriates in the UAE with the opportunity to
play competitive football. Gaelic football enthusiasts can also
assuage their withdrawal symptoms at the Dubai Exiles Rugby Club
where the Gaelic Athletic Association (04 343 0116
dubaicelts@hotmail.com) holds
their games and training sessions.
Golf
The UAE is blessed
with numerous well appointed golf courses including challenging PGA
championship golf courses with lush fairways and exquisitely
manicured greens. A couple of courses, being sand, offer the unique
opportunity to play on ‘ browns’ (oiled sand) instead of greens. All
the major golf courses have state-of-the-art clubhouses and a range
of additional facilities, including quality pro-shops and dedicated
coaching facilities with PGA qualified professionals. All players on
the main courses are required to hold an official handicap of 28 or
less for men and 36 or less for women. Only soft spikes or
rubber-soled shoes are permitted and conventional golfing apparel is
mandatory (t-shirts with collars and tailored shorts/trousers). No
denims or jeans are permitted on the course or in the clubhouse.
Golf clubs and golf carts are available for hire. It is advisable to
book time slots well in advance. Bookings from outside the UAE must be by
fax giving full details of the booking and credit card number as
guarantee.
For more
information email
uaegolf@emirates.net.ae;
browse the UAE Golf Association website
www.ugagolf.com or contact
bookings@dubaigolf.com 04
3475201.
Dubai
Desert Classic
www.dubaidesertclassic.com).
The Dubai Desert Classic, a European Tour event sponsored by DUBAL,
is usually held in March. This is your chance to see some of the
world’s top professional golfers compete for prize money in excess
of US$1 million.
Horse
Riding
As you might
expect from a country enamoured with all things equine, recreational
riding is well catered for in the UAE. Lessons suitable for all
abilities are available and desert rides are popular for the more
experienced. Most enthusiasts have their own equipment but you can
usually purchase or hire a hat if necessary. Rates vary depending on
your requirements.
The riding club at
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (02 455500) has horses suitable for
a wide range of abilities. Facilities include extensive stables and
an air-conditioned show jumping and riding arena. Show jumping
events are staged on a regular basis.
Abu Dhabi Tourist Club (02
4455500
adclub@emirates.net.ae)
Abu Dhabi Hunting & Equestrian Club
(02 447545).
Ajman Equestrian Club, near
city centre Ajman (06 7433123) gives lessons in show jumping and
dressage. Desert trips for riders are also available.
Hotel Intercontinental, Al Ain
has stables, horses for lessons and desert hacks.
Club Joumana, Jebel Ali Hotel,
Dubai (04 8836000
www.jebelalihotel.com) can
provide lessons and hacks as well as desert rides.
Dubai Equestrian Centre (04
3361394) is located near the camel race track Nad al-Sheba The
centre has extensive facilities, including floodlit arena, riding
school arenas and dressage arenas.
Jebel Ali Equestrian Club,
Jebel Ali Village (04 8845566) is an approved branch of the British
Pony Club and offers lessons for children and adults. Hacking,
dressage and jumping are also available.
Facilities at Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club, Al Dhaid Rd
(06 5311155), situated about 17km from the centre of Sharjah on the
Sharjah-Dhaid road, include a floodlit sand arena, a floodlit
paddock, grass show jumping arena and hacking trails.
Umm al-Qaiwain Marine Club and Riding Centre
(06 7666644), near Palm Beach Resort, Umm al-Qaiwain offers lessons
for beginners and the more advanced in basic riding skills, jumping
and dressage as well as hacks on the beach and in the desert.
Ice-Skating
In a country where
the sun always shines you can enjoy an activity that is more typical
of colder climates but bring a sweater!
Abu Dhabi
Tourist Club (026723400
adclub@emirates.net.ae) has a
large ice-skating rink with TV screens and floodlights.
Abu Dhabi Ice Rink (02 4448458)
at Zayed Sport City can also provide hours of fun. Located off
Airport Road. Ice hockey training and matches are on Saturday and
Sunday. Great fun, but remember to take a sweater. In Al Ain you can
skate at Hili Fun City & Ice Rink (03 784 5542
funcity@emirates.net.ae)
Dubai has two ice-rinks, Al Nasr Leisureland (04 3371234) and
Hyatt Regency Galleria (04 2096550). Opening hours can vary
according to season and activities so check before you go.
Polo
Polo (and hacking)
can be experienced at Dubai Polo Club (04 3331188). Riding
equipment is available for hire.
Ghantoot Polo &
Racing Club, Sheikh Zayed Rd,
about an hour’s drive from Abu Dhabi (02 5629050
grpc1@emirates.net.ae) has
four floodlit polo fields, a racing grandstand, polo school, tennis
courts, swimming pool and fitness centre. The polo season featuring
regular chukka tournaments and major international events runs from
Mid-October to April. Spectators are welcome.
Powerboat Races
World championship
powerboat races are staged each year in the UAE. The final round of
the inshore Formula One is staged off Abu Dhabi Sharjah in November
complementing offshore Class One races held off Dubai and Fujairah.
The UAE’s own powerboat teams (Victory Teams) have had remarkable
success on the world circuit over the years.
Abu Dhabi
International Marine Sports Club
(Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club at the Breakwater, Abu
Dhabi (ADIMSC 02 6815566
www.adimsc.com,
adimsc@eim.ae) and Dubai
International Marine Sports Club at Mina Seyahi (DIMC 04
3994111
www.dimc-uae.com/english) also organizes powerboat races
throughout the year.
Rock Climbing
If you are a
beginner or wish to improve your skills try the indoor climbing wall
at Pharaohs Club, Pyramids, Oud al-Mehta, Dubai (04 3240000
www.waficity.com). If you are
a competent climber and the excellent rock climbing routes in the
UAE mountains beckon to you, staff at the Pharaohs Club may have
information about informal groups who tackle the mountains on a
regular basis.
Rugby
Abu Dhabi Rugby
Football Club (050 6621861)
participates in both local and regional tournaments.
Al Ain Amblers
Rugby Club (050 4492670) plays
on grass pitches next to the Al Ain Intercontinental and Al Ain
Oasis Barbarians Rugby Club (03 7825568) holds weekly touch rugby
sessions that are open to everyone.
The
Six Nations Rugby Tournament is held at the Dubai's Irish Village
and other locations in April. World-class rugby sevens compete in
the Dubai Rugby Sevens in November/December each year for the
prestigious Emirates International Trophy. Friendly matches are also
played on a regular basis with international teams. Check events
magazines and newspapers for details or call Dubai Exiles Rugby
Club (04 3331198), near Dubai Country Club.
Sailing
Hotels and beach
clubs throughout the UAE provide recreational sailing for short-term
visitors. If you have a deeper interest in the sport you could
contact one of the local sailing clubs.
For a truly
wonderful experience you can watch traditional sailing dhows,
graceful craft from an earlier age when great wooden trading dhows
plied the Indian Ocean, or traditional longboats powered by up to
100 oarsmen, race off the Abu Dhabi Corniche and other venues
throughout the Emirates. These events usually coincide with one of
the local festivals, especially National Day (2 December). Check the
local newspapers for details.
Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club
(ADIMSC 02 6815566
www.adimsc.com
adimsc@emirates.net.ae)
organizes open regattas for sailing boats (catamarans, lasers, etc.)
and windsurfers. Abu Dhabi Sailing Club (ADSC) is part of The
Club, Madinat Zayed (02 6731111). Temporary membership is available.
Abu Dhabi Catamaran Association
(02 5547810) holds races on alternate Thursdays and every Friday
throughout the year.
Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (04
3941669
www.dosc.ae) is a non-profit club, run by a committee of
volunteers, where sailors of all abilities are welcome. It provides
moorings, launching facilities, sail training as well as full
catering and an active yachting and social calendar.
Dubai International Marine Club
(04 3994111
www.dimc-uae.com/english) is no longer a members’ club, but
organizes local, national and international boat races and
watersports events. Spectators are welcome.
UAQ Tourist Club (The Flamingo
Beach Resort 06 7670000
flaming1@emirates.net.ae) is situated in the old part of
town on the lagoon. This relaxed club offers great sailing in all
types of boats, including catamarans, glass-bottom boats for viewing
the coral reefs, and a dhow for sea trips. Waterskiing, windsurfing
and jetskiing are also catered for.
Shooting/Archery
Hatta Fort Hotel
(04 8523211
www.hattaforthotel.com) has
supervised clay pigeon ranges and archery facilities.
Jebel Ali
Shooting Club (04 8836555
www.jebelalihotel.com) offers
pistol, skeet and trap shooting, as well as simulated laser
shooting. Ra’s al-Khaimah Shooting Club (07 2363622) will teach you
to shoot with a variety of guns. It also has facilities for archery.
Facilities at Umm al-Qaiwain Shooting Club (06 7681900) include air
conditioned and soundproofed indoor ranges, outdoor ranges and a
‘big gun’ range.
Dubai Archery Group (04
2215839)1
www.uaearch@egroups.com) is
an informal association whose meetings take place in front of Dubai
College.
Snow Skiing
Ski Dubai (www.skidubai.com)
in Dubai's Emirates Mall commenced operations in December 2005. This
is the third largest indoor ski slope, measuring 400 metres and
using 6000 tons of snow. A second indoor ski slope is due to open in
Dubailand in 2008.
Tennis
Tennis courts are
widely available at hotels and private clubs throughout the UAE.
Many are floodlit to facilitate playing in the cool of the evening.
The Dubai Tennis
Open, the Dubai Duty Free sponsored ATP and WTA event which attracts
top-seeded players, is usually held at the Aviation Club (04
2824122) in February each year.
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