DSC LIVE SPORT Magazine - April Issue by Dubai Sports City

April 2013

In the lap of luxury Welcome to Victory Heights and Canal Residence West

Top grades Where integration is key to education

The magazine of Dubai Sports City

Ready, get set, go...

Hone your skills at Dubai Sports Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s academies

Learn soccer Spanish style Play like a star with Michel Salgado and Dubai Sports City

Triplanet is a successful sub-developer with in the Dubai Sports City Triplanet started off with the ďŹ rst Elite Apartments ensuring build quality and very high standards of Customer satisfaction. Since their ďŹ rst offering was a hit, they embarked on to acquire 6 more plots all within Dubai Sports City. Making sure that build quality and customer satisfaction never drop. It is precisely this very strategy and belief that ensured that Triplanet has completed 3 buildings in 11 months in spite of the market downturn. Contact Details

Tel: +971 6 557 4315 Facsimile: +971 6 557 4317 Email: info@triplanet-group.com

Inside...

20 12

Publishing Director, GN Publishing Nirmala Janssen

06 W here sport is a way of life

Dubai Sports City’s (DSC) management tell us about the vision behind its creation

Editor Neesha C. Saalian

Pages Editor Priya Mathew

10 Destination Dubai

Subeditor Saba Siddiqui Design Editor Biplob Roy Deputy Design Editor Nicholas D’Souza Designers Omar Mohamed, Tariq Abdallah Commercial Printing and Publishing Manager Rabih Sfeila

Some of the world’s top sports personalities wax eloquent about Dubai’s status as a great sports hub

24 In the lap of luxury

12 S ensationally Spanish

28 The right start

Learn to play like a Spanish soccer star under Michel Salgado

15 Stroke of genius

Sales Manager Andrew Tideswell

The Els Club exemplifies the tradition of excellence associated with Ernie Els

Account Group Manager Susan John-Ng

20 Learning ground

E: sjohn@gulfnews.com T: +9714 406 7732 M: +971 50 1678132 Cover photo: Supplied A Gulf News Sponsored Supplement, produced, printed and published by Al Nisr Publishing LLC.

DSC is home to some of the best training academies in the region

23 S harpen your skills Expert tips to help enhance your performance and improve your game

Victory Heights and Canal Residence West are a perfect fit for your family Give your children a well-rounded education at DSC’s leading educational institutions

32 Action bytes Get the low-down on what’s happening in your favourite community

34 On the agenda A listing of forthcoming events you can’t miss

FOCUS

athletics, not only for professionals but also for the young and aspiring talent and make sports more accessible to the population. To bring everyone together in one location, be it as a participant or a spectator, but united through sports. And so our idea grew to build a city within a city, to develop a community centred on sport and healthy living, offering premium residential properties, schools, hospitals, shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation — everything required in our modern world.

Where sport is a way of life

Why is sport special to you?

02 liverance of the best sports community in the world and the path ahead for this sporting nexus par excellence.

Dubai Sports City (DSC) has an invaluable contribution in making the emirate one of the leading sports destinations in the world. Khalid Al Zarooni and Maqbul Dudhia tell us about the vision, achievements and aspirations driving the team at DSC w By Thomas Billinghurst Features Writer

or the best part of two millennia, camel racing, pearl diving and falconry represented the extent of the sporting landscape in the small south-eastern Arabian backwater that comprised the

Trucial States. Today, the 41-yearold United Arab Emirates has hosted some of the world’s most prestigious international sports events, from the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens to the most Twenty20 (T20) international fixtures in the world. With Dubai at the helm of this transformation, the zenith of the emirate’s

sporting vision is today embodied in the 50-million-square-foot sporting fortress of Dubai Sports City (DSC), which offers everything a sports buff could dream of. We talk to Khalid Al Zarooni, President, DSC and Maqbul Dudhia, General Manager — Sports Business, DSC, who are behind the audacious ambition, the de-

Constructing a sports citadel in the desert was an ambitious concept. What inspired this grand vision? KAZ: In the beginning we wanted to build a world-class sporting facility in line with the overall vision of Dubai, but together with all the partners, Abdul Rahim Al Zarooni, Abdulrahman Bukhatir and Abdulrahman Falaknaz, our vision grew. Not only did we want to create a premier sporting destination with world-class sporting facilities, but also offer a destination with a lifestyle experience for people with a passion for an active life. We wanted to offer something unique, to provide diverse training facilities for many different sports: football, cricket, golf, rugby, hockey and

KAZ: Sport is something that combines passion with health — two wonderful attributes for any activity. Sport is no longer just a pastime or something to be done only by the very best. Sport has shown us that it can be a universal language breaking down barriers not only between individuals but countries too. DSC’s tag line is ‘Live Sport’, and that sums up the philosophy that we have sought to capture. It brings people together, no matter who, where or what you are. It is fun, it is exciting and it offers us an escape from daily routine. It brings us joy. What’s the most significant sporting development Dubai has given rise to today? MD: Dubai has been firmly planted on the sporting map, thanks to a raft of world-class events such as the Dubai World Cup, the end-of-season European PGA Tour finale — the Dubai Desert Classic, the annual ATP and WTA tennis events, and international cricket including

01. Dubai

Sports City offers world-class sporting facilities, including stadiums for cricket, hockey and football, and The Els Club for golf

02. Khalid

Al Zarooni, President, Dubai Sports City (DSC)

03. Maqbul Dudhia, General Manager — Sports Business, DSC

03 Pictures: Supplied

the English and Australian series against Pakistan. How has DSC supported Dubai’s sporting apotheosis? MD: The Dubai International Stadium has quickly become established as one of the best venues in world cricket. With a capacity of 25,000, every seat offers a view that is right on top of the action. The venue has staged more T20 Internationals than anywhere else in the world and has become a flagship for DSC, which has dramatically increased the global awareness about Dubai. More recently, the opening of our full-sized indoor football pitch is a landmark because it means that football can now be played 365 days of the year whatever the weather. An indication of how highly it is regarded is the fact that in the past we have had English Premier League side Swansea City and top-flight Russian League team FC Anzhi Makhachkala

FOCUS

Where sport is a way of life

Why is sport special to you?

02 liverance of the best sports community in the world and the path ahead for this sporting nexus par excellence.

or the best part of two millennia, camel racing, pearl diving and falconry represented the extent of the sporting landscape in the small south-eastern Arabian backwater that comprised the

01. Dubai

Sports City offers world-class sporting facilities, including stadiums for cricket, hockey and football, and The Els Club for golf

02. Khalid

Al Zarooni, President, Dubai Sports City (DSC)

03. Maqbul Dudhia, General Manager — Sports Business, DSC

03 Pictures: Supplied

FOCUS

here and they have been delighted with what they’ve found. What can be done to take Dubai even further up the list of revered sporting destinations? MD: To take it to the next level, the UAE needs to enjoy significant sporting success, either through an individual or team, something that will make the world sit up and take notice. The national football team has shown signs that it could be the group that achieves that through its Gulf Cup of Nations’ success in Bahrain in January. If the side continues its recent progress and does well in the Asian Cup in 2015, then that will be a huge step forward for Dubai and the UAE. Are you working with the Dubai Sports Council to promote sports in the UAE? KAZ: Yes, we are delighted to share the same working ethics as Dubai Sports Council and to work together to achieve the same goals. Very recently we worked with the Dubai Sports Council to host the Dubai Pulse Ride, an off-road bicycle event, which saw more than 400 attendees. Its aims and aspirations for a fit and healthy Dubai tie in very nicely with what we, at DSC, represent and we will continue to work closely with the council to ensure our objectives are achieved. How do you aim to initiate more Emiratis into sports? KAZ: Our ambition is to promote grass-root projects that go hand in hand with the UAE Sports Federations. DSC offers the best sports facilities and coaching programmes with long-term vision for what can be achieved. If we can start children young enough, they will have the ability to compete on an international stage. Of course, this is not something that is going to happen overnight, but for us, it is an investment in the

future of this country. We believe in the importance of role models to inspire and educate people in taking up sports and with the facilities in place at DSC we have the opportunity to create those dreams, to develop sportspersons to go on and become world-class participants. But of course, not everyone has to become world class, we want to inspire the upcoming generations to become involved in sport, at a recreational level or just as a spectator. Just seeing the public’s reaction to the recent success of the UAE football team in the Gulf Cup of Nations shows what effect a sporting success can have on a country. What facilities do you have coming online in the future?

MD: We have a swimming academy that is under development. It already operates off-site, and we are looking to complete the facility at our campus by October. What’s the most important aspect of DSC for the future of sport in the region?

Pictures: Supplied

04. Alastair Nathan Cook, captain of the English cricket team batting during a match at DSC 05. Russian

football club, FC Anzhi Makhachkala during a practice session at DSC

06. The crowds cheering at the DSC’s cricket stadium

KAZ: DSC is not just about taking part in sport, it’s about all aspects of sport from education to vocational schemes. In working together with our sporting partners we have run numerous coaching programmes for young athletes, officials and even for curators to learn the business of looking after pitches. As we continue to deliver more world-class facilities, the opportunities grow. Our vision is maturing, we are learning more and offering more to our community, a complete lifestyle package. MD: We have always sought to ensure that DSC looks into all aspects of sport. Our facilities have staged numerous conferences and training. And as more facilities come online we intend to expand into areas of sports medicine and physiotherapy. This is the manifestation of ‘living sport’.

Salgado brings the winning edge

Supplied

Having honed an enviable trait of winning throughout his career with Real Madrid and Spain, Michel Salgado talks to Thomas Billinghurst about his plans to imbue DSC’s Football Academy with the attitude that reaps success. “I’m a winner, I have a winning mentality,” the 53-time international capped rightback says. “It’s something I’ve learned in my footballing years, especially at Madrid. They want to be winners in Dubai, so we will work well together towards bringing success here and that’s a big reason for me to come to Dubai. “But winning doesn’t come easy. Particularly in today’s era of modern sports professionalism where the physicality of the players is of an entirely new level to that of yesteryear,” he adds. “Everyone donning a football shirt is an athlete capable of running for hours on end with the strength of ten oxen. Fitness is thus vital,” says Salgado. “In professional football today there is a great demand to be really fit. “When I started playing professionally [in 1995], the fitness levels were very different. There were a lot of overweight players, but not anymore. It’s very different now. So we obviously have to work on fitness as well as skills, which we can definitely do with these amazing facilities at DSC,” adds Salgado.

PEOPLE

Destination Dubai

Behind the scene “Dubai is so centrally located. And it’s perfect in winters. It has become like Florida, in the US, for golfers — a lot of professionals are choosing to live here now as well.”

Dubai has attracted many of the world’s best sportspeople. We speak to some of them to get their views on the emirate becoming a renowned sports hub

w By Thomas Billinghurst Features Writer Supplied

Gulf News Archives

“Coming to Dubai is always the highlight of my year. It’s a tournament [Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships] I always want to win and a place I love playing in.”

“Dubai, with the support and patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, plays a pivotal role in the promotion of the Middle East. Dubai has been vital to the continued ability of Pakistan to fulfil its commitments to the international cricketing calendar and in the past few years cricket fans in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have been able to watch outstanding teams such as Australia, Sri Lanka, England and South Africa all play Pakistan.” David Richardson, CEO, International Cricket Council

Supplied

“It’s a culture with a lot of opportunities. The facilities are amazing and the people are mad for their football out here.”

Supplied

“It’s a really nice set-up for players and fans out here. The future is bright for tennis in Dubai.” Gulf News Archives

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“The ICC GCA (in DSC) gives players the chance to gain experience playing in differing conditions and you can grow as a player playing in such magnificent facilities.”

David Jenkins, General Manager, International Cricket Council Global Cricket Academy (ICC GCA)

Novak Djokovic, number one ranked ATP player in the world

Gulf News Archives

Roger Federer, record-holding 17-time Grand Slam winner

By Thomas Billinghurst Features Writer

Mark Chapleski, Area Managing Director/ Vice-President, Troon Golf Middle East

“Dubai is fast becoming the epicentre of many developed sports including tennis, golf, football and more recently cricket. And with near year-round perfect conditions for training and playing elite standard sports, it’s a match made in sporting heaven.”

Michel Salgado, former Champions League and La Liga winner with Real Madrid and Director of Dubai Sports City’s Football Academy

We talk to Kevin Brennan, General Manager — Facilities, Dubai Sports City, to find out how he runs the show in the city within the city

Gus Logie, Coach for the Canadian cricket team

How does running DSC differ from other projects you’ve handled? What makes the job really exciting is the variety of issues that need to be resolved. The work ranges from running a sewage treatment facility to maintaining huge indoor and outdoor sporting facilities, schools, commercial buildings and offices, residential villas and high-rises, and all the accompanying infrastructure support for these enterprises, not to mention the Canal and the famous Els Club with all its facilities. It is always good to come to work with a smile on your face.

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“The Dubai leg of the Sevens World Series gets bigger and better every year. It’s a great channel for showcasing the outstanding skills of the international teams. It’s considered one of the biggest sporting and social events on our calendar.” Mark Egan, Head of Development and Performance, the International Rugby Board

What are the challenges of handling all the varied facilities at DSC? With varied facilities come varied expectations and changes in priorities. For a 25,000-seater stadium, access, safety, and food and beverages (F&B) are key factors and this includes access to DSC from the main road arteries. This has been a significant challenge recently due to the ongoing improvement work by the RTA adding to the access difficulties. We are delighted to announce that this work has now been completed by the RTA and DSC is now fully and easily accessible from all directions.

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“Dubai is an exceptional city for sports for all levels of athletes from professional to the weekend warrior. I can think of no other city that has eight championship-level golf courses within a 20-minute drive of each other. Zahid Noorani, Member — Board of Directors, Ten Sports

What size of workforce do you need to deal with everything? I know that there are more than 400 staff members and that only 40 of these are a part of the facility management function, although this number is growing as we strive to take full control over quality of delivery in key areas. Excluding all the contractors delivering ongoing project work, I would estimate that we have on-site more than 200 landscaping staff and in excess of 80 technical staff, plus the required administrative support for the staff and the task.

PEOPLE

Destination Dubai

Dubai has attracted many of the world’s best sportspeople. We speak to some of them to get their views on the emirate becoming a renowned sports hub

w By Thomas Billinghurst Features Writer Supplied

Gulf News Archives

“Coming to Dubai is always the highlight of my year. It’s a tournament [Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships] I always want to win and a place I love playing in.”

Supplied

“It’s a culture with a lot of opportunities. The facilities are amazing and the people are mad for their football out here.”

Supplied

“It’s a really nice set-up for players and fans out here. The future is bright for tennis in Dubai.” Gulf News Archives

Supplied

“The ICC GCA (in DSC) gives players the chance to gain experience playing in differing conditions and you can grow as a player playing in such magnificent facilities.”

David Jenkins, General Manager, International Cricket Council Global Cricket Academy (ICC GCA)

Novak Djokovic, number one ranked ATP player in the world

Gulf News Archives

Roger Federer, record-holding 17-time Grand Slam winner

By Thomas Billinghurst Features Writer

Mark Chapleski, Area Managing Director/ Vice-President, Troon Golf Middle East

Michel Salgado, former Champions League and La Liga winner with Real Madrid and Director of Dubai Sports City’s Football Academy

We talk to Kevin Brennan, General Manager — Facilities, Dubai Sports City, to find out how he runs the show in the city within the city

Gus Logie, Coach for the Canadian cricket team

Supplied

SPORTS ZONE

Sensationally Spanish Soccer enthusiasts are set to dribble to the tune of Michel Salgado and head coach Iñaki Beni at DSC this summer w By Thomas Billinghurst Features Writer

01. Former Real Madrid player Michel Salgado with the students of the football academy 02. The soccer

academy in Dubai caters to children starting from the age of six

here has been no recorded instance of a SpanishEmirati metamorphosis in history, not even in the Arabian Nights will you find such a quirk of fate. But something of that sort might soon emerge from Dubai Sports City’s (DSC) Football Academy. DSC has acquired the footballing acumen of European Champions League winner Michel Salgado and Real Madrid youth

teams coach for eight years Iñaki Beni to head the soccer academy in Dubai for children from the ages of six to sixteen. Their aim is to transform interest for this elegant game in the UAE into a regular activity of choice that yields results on and off the pitch. There’s nothing extraordinary about that, it’s a fundamental aim of all academies. But the kicker is to teach football Spanish style. “I want to bring a different approach to football in the Middle East — the Spanish way. Our mentality, way of seeing and

“Children need to understand what it means to have a commitment to football.” Michel Salgado Director, Football Academy, Dubai Sports City

thinking about how football is played, keeping possession of the ball and passing,” says Salgado, who has taken on the reins as Director of the Football Academy. The 53-cap Spanish right-back was a product of the unique European style of passing and possession. It’s an approach that has seen Spain win their past three consecutive international tournaments (Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012), and catalysed the apotheosis of Real Madrid and Barcelona. There is simply no better way to play the game right now. “[Spain’s] success has been achieved because we never changed our mentality of football in the past 20-30 years. Even when we weren’t winning cups and trophies, we kept the

same attitude and now we are seeing the rewards and prizes,” Salgado adds.

the Next step Although enthusiasm for football is manifest, the UAE has only just started enjoying international success — in the form of the 2013 Gulf Cup of Nations — and the domestic standard suffers from an unfair comparison to Europe’s top-flight leagues. Working from the ground up, Salgado is planning big changes. The former Real Madrid star says the passion for football in the region is one of the reasons he took the position at DSC. “It’s crazy,” he says. “But it’s a bittersweet flavour because I see Emiratis supporting Real Madrid, Manchester United, loving foot-

Pictures: Supplied

ball, but they don’t support the local football. Of course it’s natural though, because when you go from watching that quality of European football to the UAE domestic football, there’s no wonder why more people don’t go to the local stadiums. And that’s also a target for me to change the mentality here.” But Salgado feels DSC’s unrivalled facilities give his conquistador team a head start in his quest. “The facilities are unlike anything this region has ever seen. They are amazing. When I first arrived here, I realised how difficult it is to find facilities like these

SPORTS ZONE

Sensationally Spanish Soccer enthusiasts are set to dribble to the tune of Michel Salgado and head coach Iñaki Beni at DSC this summer w By Thomas Billinghurst Features Writer

01. Former Real Madrid player Michel Salgado with the students of the football academy 02. The soccer

academy in Dubai caters to children starting from the age of six

“Children need to understand what it means to have a commitment to football.” Michel Salgado Director, Football Academy, Dubai Sports City

same attitude and now we are seeing the rewards and prizes,” Salgado adds.

Pictures: Supplied

SPORTS ZONE

03 Pav Singh

in the top football countries such as England and Spain. Top-flight clubs would love to have these.” DSC has four full-size outdoor football pitches and the state-of-the-art temperatureregulated indoor football pitch, allowing the game to be played 365 days a year.

All about passion

03. DSC’s indoor football Dome

04. Dubai Sports City Football Academy Head Coach Iñaki Beni 05. Michel

Salgado’s moves on the field epitomise the Spanish style of football, keeping possession of the ball and passing

But it will take more than pristine turf and neatly rolled white lines to transform the UAE’s young populace into the Messis and Ronaldos of tomorrow. For the former Blackburn Rovers man, instilling a “hunger” for football and getting the UAE’s youngsters away from their PlayStation and Xbox is key. “We have to change this lifestyle and get them to do something active. This is important if we want to change the role of football in the Middle East. “When you look at the rest of the world, there are really great footballers in Africa and South America where they don’t have the facilities like they have here. “They start playing football in the street with nothing, but they have such a hunger for the game. That’s why we want to start working with the kids [in the UAE] when they are six years old. It’s very difficult to

Soccer central Give your children an edge with DSC’s various training programmes

The DSC runs two popular football coaching programmes. Socatots trains children in the age group of six months to five years. It teaches basic ball skills, movement and coordination exercises in a fun environment. The Soccer Stars programme is for children from five to 15 years of age.

05 Pictures: Supplied

change the mindset by the time they are 13-14,” he says. While there is a drive to include more locals in sporting activity, Academy Head Coach Iñaki Beni says DSC plans to hone the skills of children according to their different somatic stages using specialised coaches for different age groups, as they do in Spain. “For example, a U12 coach must understand the characteristics at that age and develop training sessions according to it. At that age you find children who are very tall or very short and although they may have the same chronological age, the development of their bodies means they look very different. “By seeking to apply specialised coaching methods to reflect this, we will make children’s football development much more effective and it will increase the training sessions’ quality.” Beni takes on the role of Head Coach at DSC’s Football Academy armed with the experience of training Real Madrid’s youth teams known as the Cantera. He has groomed some of the finest young footballers in the Spanish capital. Beni has also clocked up an impressive global footprint by heading Madrid’s international youth academies in Korea, Japan, England, Italy and the US. Now his goal is to translate the success achieved in the Bérnabeu Stadium to the UAE. “Here at DSC we are running a programme that involves all the experience we’ve had from the past by setting the children challenges for their own future. “Training will be presented the same way we do in Spain. High-quality training sessions that follow the path in our programme structure, which makes children learn as they play through the logics of football,” he says, relishing the challenge that lies ahead.

Stroke of genius The Els Club at Dubai Sports City proves that the pleasure of playing golf lies as much in the swing as it does in the aesthetics of the course w By Sanaya Pavri | Features Writer

LIFESTYLE

02. A great

amount of detail has gone into the creation of both the course and the interiors of The Els Club

03. Winner of 65 professional golf tournaments, Ernie Els

is out having fun on the fairways? Well, that’s when you take full advantage of the various facilities offered by the clubhouse. How about a sumptuous meal at the 261 Restaurant that gets its name from Els’ record low fourround total on the US PGA Tour. The restaurant with its licensed beverage outlet is a great place to unwind. Also opening soon is the Big Easy Bar and Grill that will be only the second steakhouse in the world bearing that name after Els opened one in Stellenbosch, South Africa, which began business in December 2008.

Traditional yet modern

01 01. The Els Club

prides itself on superior services and excellent, tournamentquality playing surfaces

Pictures: Supplied

e is considered the sport’s true international ambassador and legend. His successes include winning more than 65 professional tournaments comprising four major championships, two World Golf Championship events and a record seven World Match Play titles. But legendary golfer Ernie Els’ legacy isn’t limited to perfecting the game of golf but extends to creating some of the best courses in the world where the pleasure of the game lies as much in the swing as in the aesthetics. His eponymous company Ernie Els Design is a full-service golf course design company committed to creating classic golf courses of distinction. And one such specially designed course is a short drive away for most, and a quick walk for residents of Dubai Sports City (DSC). Considered DSC’s flagship attraction, The Els Club (TEC) prides itself on superior services and excellent, tournament-quality playing sur-

“Players such as the club’s very own Ernie Els, the current world number one Rory McIlroy, recent world number one Lee Westwood and former Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie have all enjoyed the facilities the Els Club has to offer.” Chris Brown General Manager, The Els Club

faces. “Everything about the club is tailored towards creating a fantastic experience, whether you are a member enjoying the superb, state-of-the-art clubhouse and its facilities or the course designed by the current Open Champion,” says Chris Brown, General Manager, TEC. The course measures 7,538 yards from the tips, although in all there are four sets of tees allowing players of all standards a selection of different lengths in order to enjoy this great course to the full. As a tribute to its perfection TEC has garnered plenty of awards including the Best New International Course 2008 by Links Golf Magazine and the CNBC Arabian Property Awards for Best Golf Course, Dubai 2009. Just as impressive is the roster of prestigious events TEC has hosted since its opening. Let’s begin with the Els Club Charity Challenge that took place to mark the launch of the Butch Harmon School of Golf. It was a nine-hole

02 event where amateur golfers challenged the legend himself in order to raise money for Els’ Autism Foundation and the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation.

charity events TEC has been involved in a lot of charity work including the Haiti Golf Day, which saw it help raise funds in support of the victims of the country’s devastating earthquake. The Queensland Golf Day was also staged to raise funds and assist the 200,000 people who were affected by floods in the region. Apart from the feel-good charity events, the club also hosts the Men’s Open — an annual amateur competition that forms part of the UAE National Order of Merit — and the Ladies Open, which is the equivalent ladies annual amateur event that forms part of the UAE National Order of Merit for ladies. With high-profile events comes the usual star-studded entou-

rage. TEC has seen a host of top professionals come to use the facilities and play the course. “Players such as the club’s very own Ernie Els, the current world number one Rory McIlroy, recent world number one Lee Westwood, and former Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie have all enjoyed the facilities the Els Club has to offer,” adds Brown. These names can inspire confidence, but at the same time they are a little daunting. But don’t be disheartened if you don’t know how to play because TEC is home to the Butch Harmon School of Golf, which is “without doubt, one of the most technologically advanced teaching facilities in the Middle East, if not the world,” as quoted by Butch himself, a world-renowned coaching guru who has worked with some of the world’s best players. So what do you do when your significant other

Then there is the boardroom and meeting rooms that are equipped with the best in audiovisual technology, allowing business gatherings to be as productive as possible. The newly opened event lawn allows you to host outdoor functions, from birthday parties and children’s activities to corporate days, weddings or movie nights. “If that’s not enough, there’s a quiz night every Tuesday, a barbecue every Thursday night and it’s curry night on Saturdays. And on Sundays, children under the age of 12 eat for free if accompanied by a paying adult,” says Brown. With its sprawling greens set amidst native desert, this golf course is a perfect example of a links-style layout combining traditional classic design effectively capturing in essence the best of all the great clubs that Els has played in across the world, making TEC a one-of-its-kind course.

LIFESTYLE

02. A great

amount of detail has gone into the creation of both the course and the interiors of The Els Club

03. Winner of 65 professional golf tournaments, Ernie Els

Traditional yet modern

01 01. The Els Club

prides itself on superior services and excellent, tournamentquality playing surfaces

Pictures: Supplied

02 event where amateur golfers challenged the legend himself in order to raise money for Els’ Autism Foundation and the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation.

MATRIX TOWER DUBAI - UAE

Dubai Sports City

SPIRIT TOWER DUBAI - UAE

GRAND MOSQUE - FUJAIRAH - UAE

DUBAI SILICON OASIS HEADQUARTER - AT DSO - DUBAI - UAE

CANAL RESIDENCE – DUBAI – UAE

HOCKEY TOWER DUBAI - UAE

TENNIS TOWER DUBAI - UAE

DAMAC RESIDENTIAL TOWERS AMMAN - JORDAN

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - SHARJAH - UAE

MAJDOUL TOWER RIYADH - KSA

Dubai Sports City Projects UNEC is one of the most prominent Construc�on Companies carrying out projects in Dubai Sports City, having successfully completed six buildings and with ﬁve nearing comple�on. Having forged excellent rela�onships with M/s Dubai Sports City, The First Group and Falak Proper�es, UNEC con�nue to be considered as one of the primary construc�on companies for carrying out developments in the Dubai Sports City area.

Interna�onal Por�olio In addi�on to its prominence in the UAE market and always looking to expand, UNEC have more recently moved into the Saudi Arabian and Jordanian markets with oﬃces in both Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Amman in Jordan. Already se�ng up a por�olio of Projects in these states UNEC is commi�ed to obtaining the same solid quality reputa�on as it enjoys in the home market.

UNEC - United Engineering Construc�on L.L.C. UNEC is a well-established construc�on company located in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, with its Head Office in Dubai. The company was founded in 1976 by the General Manager, Mr Abdul Halim Muwahid, who had previously spent several years with one of the largest construc�on companies in Dubai. UNEC currently has branch offices in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Fujairah in the UAE. Originally set up in Sharjah, the need for expansion, and the growing market in Dubai, meant that an office in that loca�on was a necessity. UNEC therefore opened its Dubai office in 1982 which now serves as its Head Office and central hub of all opera�ons throughout the Company. UNEC, with over 36 years of construc�on excellence, has built up a reputa�on and por�olio covering a wide range of project experiences by employing communica�on, teamwork, construc�on management, health and safety management, quality assurance and control, technology, and environmentally friendly methodology. The UNEC PROJECT PORTFOLIO ranges from industrial buildings, showrooms, low cost housing and villas through mul� storey residen�al and office buildings, hospitals and schools to high specifica�on hotels and mosques. H.E. SHEIKH AMMAR TOWER DUBAI - UAE

HILTON DEAD SEA RESORT - AMMAN - JORDAN

ZAMURUD TOWER - DUBAI - UAE

UNEC Philosophy At UNEC we believe that great projects are achieved by great communica�ons skills together with the interac�on of construc�on technology and management. Our internal quality management processes ensure that projects develop in a comprehensive yet straight forward manner with ease of usage for all relevant par�es from Contractor through Consultant and Client. UNEC believe that the best results, and therefore the best projects, are achieved by teamwork between all the Project par�es. We therefore endeavour to understand the needs of the Client and Consultant and work in harmony to achieve those goals. UNEC is constantly aware of our earth’s dwindling resources and employs the concept of environmentally friendly materials and construc�on methods, value engineering, energy conserva�on and life cycle cos�ng on all projects. The result is cost eﬀec�ve clean healthy facili�es that are economical to operate and maintain. Construc�on is the blending of Func�on, Planning, Organisa�on, Co-ordina�on and Control. UNEC address each of these factors in the construc�on process within the constraints of the contract budget and construc�on schedule. Successful planning for a project is the key to ensure that all the goals and objec�ves of the Client and end user of the building are met. UNEC liaise with all par�es at the ini�al programming phase and thoroughly research their requirements incorpora�ng these into our programme of works. The programmes are con�nually being updated and improved as the project proceeds in order to provide the op�mum eﬀec�veness, a cri�cal ac�vity to ensure that these goals and objec�ves are achieved. BAB AL BAHAR HOTEL - AJMAN - UAE

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HOUSING BANK - AMMAN - JORDAN

UNEC BRANCHES

UNITED ENGINEERING CONST. (UNEC) L.L.C.

DUBAI – Head Oﬃce 2nd Flr. Room 209, Al Fa�an Plaza Bldg., Garhoud, Airport Road, Dubai, UAE Tel. No.: 04-2828242 Fax No.: 04-2829929 / 04-2820449 www.unec.ae / Email: info@unec.ae

SHARJAH Sajaa Industrial Area, Sharjah, UAE Tel. No.: 06-5369944 Fax No.: 06-5369938 / 06-5369939

ABU DHABI Opposite Al Nahyan Military Camp Abu Dhabi, UAE, P.O. Box 112542 Tel. No.: 02-6426112 Fax No.: 02-6426113

FUJAIRAH Fujairah - UAE Tel. No: 09 2241040 / 09 2249556 Fax No: 09 2249395

SAUDI ARABIA Olaya Street in front of Al Andalus Mall Beside Al Ahley Bank, Al Saud Building, Flr. No. 4, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Tel. No.: 00966 1 2153664 and 00966 1 2152611 Fax No.: 00966 1 2152772

JORDAN Garden St., Muhtaseb Bldg. No. 104 Oﬃce No. 410, P.O. Box 5556 AMMAN, JORDAN 11953 Tel. No: 00962-6-5662150 Fax No: 00962-6-5662190

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HILTON DEAD SEA RESORT - AMMAN - JORDAN

ZAMURUD TOWER - DUBAI - UAE

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HOUSING BANK - AMMAN - JORDAN

UNEC BRANCHES

UNITED ENGINEERING CONST. (UNEC) L.L.C.

DUBAI – Head Oﬃce 2nd Flr. Room 209, Al Fa�an Plaza Bldg., Garhoud, Airport Road, Dubai, UAE Tel. No.: 04-2828242 Fax No.: 04-2829929 / 04-2820449 www.unec.ae / Email: info@unec.ae

SHARJAH Sajaa Industrial Area, Sharjah, UAE Tel. No.: 06-5369944 Fax No.: 06-5369938 / 06-5369939

ABU DHABI Opposite Al Nahyan Military Camp Abu Dhabi, UAE, P.O. Box 112542 Tel. No.: 02-6426112 Fax No.: 02-6426113

FUJAIRAH Fujairah - UAE Tel. No: 09 2241040 / 09 2249556 Fax No: 09 2249395

JORDAN Garden St., Muhtaseb Bldg. No. 104 Oﬃce No. 410, P.O. Box 5556 AMMAN, JORDAN 11953 Tel. No: 00962-6-5662150 Fax No: 00962-6-5662190

SPORTS ZONE

catch them young Get trained with some of the world’s best names in cricket at the ICC GCA. The age-specific programmes introduce both girls and boys to the game, enable them to start playing cricket, and more importantly, continue to play cricket for years to come. The CricketCubs is a physical development programme for toddlers (from walking to five-and-a-halfyear-olds), which will help develop confidence, motor skills and hand-eye coordination along with promoting physical exercise, colours, numbers and counting. Junior Warriors Programme is for children who are six years old to 12 years old. The other programmes are Under-13 Warriors and Under-15 Warriors.

Learning ground 01

The ICC Global Cricket Academy, the Butch Harmon School of Golf and other prestigious institutions are Dubai Sports City’s star attractions

S 01. Academies Campus at DSC 02. The famous

Russian football club FC Anzhi Makhachkala’s members on the field at DSC

03. Football club Swansea City in DSC

treble-winning coach himself, we take a closer look at the training options available at DSC.

Rugby and Football

w By Gareth Kurt Warren Features Writer everal elements are required for sports enthusiasts to turn an interest into a reality. Passion and dedication towards the sport play a big role, as well as the competitive edge required to push themselves to the limits. As with many other aspects of life, the right training is mandatory as well. And it is the combination of these elements that can transform a casual weekend aficionado into a local champion. With Dubai Sports City (DSC) leading the way, sport buffs in the country now have access to leading training resources. DSC’s growing popularity is attracting international football clubs such as the famous Rus-

Pictures: Supplied

Courtesy: Pav Singh

02 Zarina Fernandes/ Gulf News

02 sian club FC Anzhi Makhachkala and Welsh club Swansea City to train in Dubai ahead of important games. The facilities at DSC, in the words of Guus Hiddink,

03 coach of FC Anzhi Makhachkala, are exceptional, with excellence being one of the main reasons his team trains here. With the recommendation from the European

The Football and Rugby Academy Campus at DSC trains and develops students of all ages and skill levels, up to and including the elite club and international level as well. DSC has two outdoor natural turf, international standard, multipurpose pitches. In addition to one outdoor IRB/Fifa approved artificial turf, multipurpose pitch and one indoor IRB/Fifa approved, air-conditioned, artificial, multipurpose pitch are the venues for its rugby and football training sessions. Muhammad Salman Hanif, Operations Manager, Sports Academies, says the third term of its Soccer Star training programme will begin shortly. Designed for children from five years of age up to under 16, the participants also play competitive football matches

06 on Fridays against other teams together with training sessions from Sunday to Thursday. To identify talented local players, DSC conducts football trials for the under six to under sixteen age groups. Selected players are then offered scholarships to join the Soccer Star programmes, the summer camp and the option to join an overseas tour to Spain. Besides the Soccer Star programme

and the summer camp, the academy also hosts several leagues and tournaments such as the Indoor Summer League, the Corporate League, the Ramadan Cup and the Fans Premier League. “For the Indoor Summer League, a maximum of six teams will be registered in each age group (U8, U10, U12, U14 and U16) on a firstcome-first-serve basis. All the matches will be played on Fridays.

04. A rugby match at DSC 05. A young

cricket enthusiast practises during a training session at the academy

06. Michel

Salgado with Football Academy students after a match held recently in DSC

SPORTS ZONE

Learning ground 01

The ICC Global Cricket Academy, the Butch Harmon School of Golf and other prestigious institutions are Dubai Sports City’s star attractions

S 01. Academies Campus at DSC 02. The famous

Russian football club FC Anzhi Makhachkala’s members on the field at DSC

03. Football club Swansea City in DSC

treble-winning coach himself, we take a closer look at the training options available at DSC.

Rugby and Football

Pictures: Supplied

Courtesy: Pav Singh

02 Zarina Fernandes/ Gulf News

02 sian club FC Anzhi Makhachkala and Welsh club Swansea City to train in Dubai ahead of important games. The facilities at DSC, in the words of Guus Hiddink,

03 coach of FC Anzhi Makhachkala, are exceptional, with excellence being one of the main reasons his team trains here. With the recommendation from the European

04. A rugby match at DSC 05. A young

cricket enthusiast practises during a training session at the academy

06. Michel

Salgado with Football Academy students after a match held recently in DSC

SPORTS ZONE

“The Corporate League is a ten-week long tournament designed for leading corporate football teams.” Muhammad Salman Hanif Operations Manager, Sports Academies

All the local clubs and academy teams can register in the tournament,” explains Hanif. “The Corporate League is a ten-week long tournament designed for leading corporate football teams. All the matches will be played in the evenings at the world-class DSC football dome. The winning team will get a grand prize of a tour to Spain,” he adds. The Ramadan Cup, due to start in the second week of July, will see local clubs and corporate teams battle it out for the prize, while the Fans Premier League is proposed to start alongside the 2013 football season for a period of 30 weeks.

07 Zarina Fernandes/Gulf News

Cricket

07. Former

Pakistani cricketer Mudassar Nazar is the Head Coach at the ICC’s Global Cricket Academy in DSC

08. A cricket team

trains at DSC

The UAE takes its cricket seriously. The passion brought here by the numerous resident expatriates could be a decisive factor why the sport has such mass recognition. So it’s no surprise that DSC is home to the International Cricket Council’s Global Cricket Academy (ICC GCA), the first of its kind in the world. Placed right in the middle of the cricket-playing world, the ICC GCA’s venue in DSC provides a unique environment for coaching, game education and training among outstanding facilities. The experienced coaches are led by the internationally renowned former cricketer and ICC GCA Head Coach, Mudassar Nazar. The academy provides the opportunity for players, coaches, umpires, curators and administrators from across the ICC’s 104-member countries to benefit from the various programmes and courses it offers. Moreover, local, regional and international teams have the ability to compete on well-maintained grounds as its turf and indoor pitches replicate the varying playing sur-

Supplied

faces found in cricketing nations around the world. Similar to the Golf Academy, the ICC GCA incorporates technology into training, with an integrated technology suite that offers a new dimension for players and officials to review their techniques. The players are not the only individuals benefiting from the infrastructure at the academy as umpires, coaches and administrators can also hone their skills within their respective fields, with the wealth of training options available. Acknowledging that the right training at a young age is paramount for developing a player’s skills, the ICC GCA offers training programmes for youngsters. These include Cricket Cubs (for two-and-a-half-yearolds to five-and-a-half-years-old), the Junior Warriors (for six-yearolds to 12-year-olds), Under-13 Warriors and Under-15 Warriors.

Golf DSC is home to the only Butch Harmon School of Golf outside

the US. The school’s founder is widely regarded as one of the best golf coaches in the world, having coached none other than Tiger Woods and Ernie Els. With the right mix of quality coaching, state-of-the-art technology and a core philosophy, the school focuses on helping its students understand their unique way of play with tailor-made classes for individuals at any level. The school uses computers and video analysis equipment that add a futuristic touch to training by analysing a player’s swing. The school also offers affordable programmes for families, children and corporate groups. For those serious about taking their game to the next level, the school offers private lessons that are custom-made for individuals based on questionnaires they complete prior to the start of the lessons. The school’s Junior Development Series is another interesting offering that merges physical training with golf training.

From improving your stroke to executing a perfect pass, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s some expert advice to help enhance your moves

Rugby n To perform the perfect tackle, the tackling player must first crouch to the lowest centre of gravity point. From here the player should impact the ball carrierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thigh with their shoulder, wrapping the player up while driving their legs, thus giving them required momentum to take the player down. n To increase your running speed in a straight line, tie a rope to a large tackle bag and then around your waist. Perform six to ten 20-metre sprints with maximum leg pump and arm drive. Remove the rope and perform six to ten 10-metre sprints at maximum output.

Cricket n The most important thing in cricket is to always watch the ball. n A piece of advice for budding batsmen: when batting, play straight with the full face of the bat. n Fast bowlers should ensure that their run-up is always in a straight line.

Corbis

TRAINING

Sharpen your skills

Football n Whether you are between six and 12 years old or even older, the most important factors are strong technique and good tactics. n In older age groups, physical conditioning is more relevant along with a strong technique and a good understanding of tactics to be more effective. n Controlling and passing to dominate are key points in the Spanish style of soccer.

Golf n The top players in the world all have a consistent pre-shot routine, which allows them to set up correctly each time. A popular routine has been to stand behind the ball and imagine a straight line running through the ball to the target. This ensures consistency at setup and can be used for many different shots. n Short game shots such as chipping and pitching require the player to have a stable lower body action allowing the club to brush the ground consistently. One of the popular drills for this is the split stance (left foot forward). Make small smooth swings while trying to keep your balance. Your left foot will feel loaded and stable.

Corbis

LIFESTYLE

In the lap of luxury Victory Heights and Canal Residence West offer everything — from luxurious living spaces and swanky retail outlets to top-end schools and excellent sports academies

ubai is filled with options that present the ultimate in luxury living, but only Dubai Sports City (DSC) offers the joy of community life with a premium on privacy and the ease of indulgence at affordable costs with a significant focus on healthy living. These are blended elegantly with the glamorous waterfront properties, gleaming towers and worldrenowned sporting facilities. Spread over 50 million square feet and nestled in the cornerstone of Dubailand, DSC has grown from an impressive boardroom project to a vibrant, bustling community. We chat with Catherine Kehoe, Business Development Manager of Real Estate at DSC, about the properties within the community and what we can expect to see soon. n Why should real estate investors consider DSC? C.K.: DSC is one of the fastestgrowing international brands with world-class facilities in sports, commercial and residen-

Supplied

tial real estate. It’s been conceptualised as a city within a city where you can avail of everything you need, on your doorstep. We have had several successful developers in DSC who have delivered residential projects to date, such as Victory Heights, The First Group and Triplanet, to name a few. We are pleased to confirm that a number of other developers will also be delivering their residential projects this year. DSC as a developer, having delivered many world-class sporting facilities, and a partner in Victory Heights, will also be delivering two key residential projects this year — Canal Residence West Phase 1 and Gallery Villas. n What are the factors that have contributed to your impressive track record? C.K.: DSC, as a master developer, has focused on delivering key areas of the project from an early stage. Nearly 99 per cent of our infrastructure is complete with key components such as a sewerage treatment plant, roads and

02 Zarina Fernandes/Gulf News

01. Victory Heights successfully delivered this luxurious community set on the Ernie Els designed golf course 02. This building

is one of the three being developed in Mediterranean, European, and Venetian architectural style at Canal Residence West

sub-stations already in place and functioning. We have delivered numerous sporting facilities in cricket, rugby, soccer, golf and hockey, and hosted several international events. We also have a very successful school and nursery already operational. For developers within sports city, as well as our own developments, this has been a key part of being able to deliver high-end commercial and residential real estate and sporting facilities, among other reasons. n Currently how many people live in DSC and how many

more do you see living there in the future? C.K.: DSC has more than 6,000 residents to date who live in a wide range of developments such as luxurious villa residences in Victory Heights and high-end residential towers from various developers, such as The Diamond, Elite Towers, Olympic Towers, Golf Tower, The Spirit and many more. Eventually, DSC will be able to cater to about 30,000 residents. Key residential projects such as Canal Residence West Phase 1 and Gallery Villas will be supplying around 650 units this year to help start supplying the significant

demand that DSC has for residential development. A number of retail facilities will also be opening shortly along Canal Residence Walk. This will add to the everincreasing demand for a healthy lifestyle and a vibrant community in Dubai. n Canal Residence is one of the

key real estate developments in DSC. What can we expect to see in this project? C.K.: Canal Residence West comprises five beautiful buildings in Mediterranean, Classic European, Venetian, Arabian and Spanish Andalusian architectural styles,

offering community living at its best. The first three buildings are being delivered in 2013 while the remaining two buildings will be developed in due course. Phase one comprises the Mediterranean, European and Venetian towers, which make up the heart of DSC. Around 600 units of studios, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom, will be handed over shortly. These spacious unique apartments have various sizes and are finished to a high standard that is synonymous with DSC, the developer. With swimming pools, gyms, children’s play areas and much more available to

LIFESTYLE

In the lap of luxury Victory Heights and Canal Residence West offer everything — from luxurious living spaces and swanky retail outlets to top-end schools and excellent sports academies

Supplied

02 Zarina Fernandes/Gulf News

01. Victory Heights successfully delivered this luxurious community set on the Ernie Els designed golf course 02. This building

is one of the three being developed in Mediterranean, European, and Venetian architectural style at Canal Residence West

LIFESTYLE

the residents of Canal Residence West, DSC once again delivers a healthier lifestyle option in this family community. Canal Residence West will see a stretch of retail options offering an unprecedented sporting and shopping experience along Canal Residence Walk. There will be a host of stores and well-known brands, which will provide residents with all their everyday needs. This includes a supermarket, restaurants, hair salons for men and women, a nail and beauty salon, a pharmacy, laundry and more. Interested buyers and investors contact: realestatesales@dxbsport. com for more information.

n Gallery Villas is an exclusive

residential community. What are some of its highlights? C.K.: Gallery Villas is a completely sold-out project, and we are handing them over to purchasers this year. This exclusive, high-end villa community overlooks the 6th green of the well-known Ernie Els Golf Course. This gated community consists of 50 ultimately luxurious villas finished to an impeccably high standard. Ten detached villas offer a secluded and breathtaking view of the golf course while 40 attached and semi-attached town houses stretch throughout the beautiful family-oriented community. This project will offer a quality of life that many expect, but only a few actually realise. For more information on Canal Residence West residential and retail, or Gallery Villas, contact: realestatesales@dxbsport.com, or to rent: rent@dxbsport.com or call 04 425 1111 n Tell us about the Victory Heights project? C.K.: Victory Heights is one of the most sought-after villa developments in Dubai, covering around 25 million square feet. It comprises seven villages. This private golf course villa community has handed over more than 900 villas to date. It has recently completed the Calida Village and has

04 Pictures: Supplied

handed over more than 85 per cent of the villas in this village. This milestone serves to illustrate the continuing growth and development of a superb community at Victory Heights. Victory Heights has more than 4,000 residents of various nationalities. Residents have full access to two luxurious community centres, located north of Calida Village and east in Estella Village.

03. An artist’s rendering of Canal Residence West 04. The exclusive villas in Victory Heights in DSC

n How does Sports City Owners Association Management Services (SOAMS) contribute to the community? C.K.: The Sports City Owners Association Management Services (SOAMS) — the appointed Owners Association Management Company that manages the community on behalf of the owners and residents — maintains the common areas of the community to impeccable standards. Members of the owners association organise frequent community events to engage families and residents.

On home ground Two residents from Victory Heights tell us why they love their community “When we first moved to Victory Heights almost three years ago, everyone thought it was really far. Today, visitors are amazed by the fast-growing community, the beautiful landscape, the modern villas, the unique golf course and the well-served clubs and swimming pools.” Dr Ayman Al Beiruti Resident and homeowner at DSC

“Ever since moving to Victory Heights in February 2009, we have seen the community evolve and grow not only in numbers — to more than 850 houses spread over seven villages — but also in living quality.” Dirk van Landeghem Victory Heights villa owner and a resident of DSC

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EDUCATION

sent within the city, which provide numerous opportunities for its students.

The right start With international curricula, intercultural influences and world-class sports facilities, the schools in Dubai Sports City will give your child a well-rounded education w By Gareth Kurt Warren Features Writer

o state-of-the-art city is complete without exclusive schools and the Dubai Sports City (DSC) is no different. Since the entire project has been developed as the world’s premier sporting destination, the schools that tend to the minds of its young residents are usually overshadowed by the sporting excellence on offer. The Bradenton Preparatory Academy (BPA) and The Wonder Years Nursery are the two schools currently operational at DSC, with another, the Victory Heights Primary School, scheduled to open its doors later this year. DSC reports that a full range

of international schools will soon make its way to the city, including a major English curriculum secondary school and an Indian curriculum school as well as other international nurseries and primary schools. The BPA, managed by Mosaica Education, is in its fourth year of operation. “The school offers University Preparatory Curriculum (UPC) to students from early childhood to grade 12. The school features a curriculum based on the American Common Core State Standards initiative and integrates technology and personal attention within its teaching,” says Gene Eidel-

01. Schools in DSC provide children with an all-inclusive approach to education with the right mix of sports and arts 02. Children

work on a craft assignment

03. Team spirit

03 Pictures: Supplied

is fostered at the Bradenton Preparatory Academy

man, Co-Founder and President, Mosaica Education. “At BPA, there are currently 300 students from early childhood through to grade 12,” says Ross McKenzie, Sports and Marketing Manager, BPA. “We are proud that our student population reflects a truly international school; 44 nationalities are represented, though the majority of our students (66 per cent) are from North America and Europe.” Developing a holistic approach to education that integrates sports, arts and learning is extremely important. The schools at DSC enjoy close links with the many sporting academies pre-

extracurricular activities Quoting the school’s vision, to make a world of difference to every child, every day, in every way, Dr Ahmed Hussain, Head of School — BPA, says, “BPA achieves that vision by personalizing learning in order to meet the needs and aspirations of all its students. “We also achieve this mission through a strong partnership within our learning community that fosters a culture of excellence. This is supported by our commitment to small class sizes that promote differentiated and personalized learning,” says Hussain. Sports play a central role to life at BPA. Students benefit from a better curriculum, time dedicated to sports and physical education (PE) than most schools. The sporting experience involves access to the exclusive sporting facilities at DSC and learning is supplemented through links with elite coaches. “We are extremely lucky to have great relationships with all the academies [at DSC] so we have access to their elite coaches and facilities on a regular basis. An example includes the occasion when our PE curriculum focused on football and we had the privilege of benefiting from the expertise of the DSC Socatots and Soccer Stars coaches. We also offer cricket through the ICC GCA and golf through the Butch Harmon School of Golf. Our extracurricular activities are rugby, ballet, horse riding, swimming, ju-jitsu and a fitness programme,” says McKenzie. Education and sports are not the only features that make BPA different, the school also places equal importance on art. “Besides having music, drama and art as key subjects in school that drive performance, we have frequent celebrations of students, learning through our Paragon Evenings. We also have a range of performances such as school

EDUCATION

sent within the city, which provide numerous opportunities for its students.

01. Schools in DSC provide children with an all-inclusive approach to education with the right mix of sports and arts 02. Children

work on a craft assignment

03. Team spirit

03 Pictures: Supplied

is fostered at the Bradenton Preparatory Academy

EDUCATION

04 Zarina Fernandes/Gulf News

“At BPA, there are currently 300 students from early childhood through to grade 11. We intend to add grade 12 in the next academic year” Ross McKenzie Sports and Marketing Manager, BPA

Supplied

plays that highlight the talent of our students. Paragon Evenings serve as a means of connecting learning across the curriculum and with the community,” says McKenzie. While students seem to be benefiting on all fronts thanks to the qualified training available at the BPA, parents could not be happier. “From the first day, when we came to see BPA and met the staff, we knew it was the right place for our son,” say Simonetta and June, parents of Simone, a student at BPA. “We like the fact that the teachers and the staff are very caring. They give students individual attention and constant assessments,

which make the difference in their performance,” they add. Simone’s parents say their son needed a challenge and an opportunity to show his abilities and that is exactly what the BPA has offered him. “It was exactly what we were looking for.” Similarly, Dr Deon Hugo, another parent, found BPA on the internet while looking for a school for his son Dyllon who was returning to Dubai to further his sporting abilities and academic interests. “Ross McKenzie contacted me, showed me around and introduced me to the leadership team at school. I was immediately impressed with

04. The Bradenton Preparatory Academy (BPA) 05. BPA has a

cross-cultural mix of students

their enthusiasm and felt that my son would really benefit from this school. I am happy to report that my instinct proved to be correct,” says Dr Hugo. The school has actively encouraged and boosted his son’s sporting abilities and his academic progress has been, in the words of Dr Hugo, stellar. With the right education offerings including a nursery, a primary school, a preparatory academy up to high school, along with the schools’ all-inclusive approach to education with the right mix of sports and arts, it seems DSC has a lot to be proud of besides its world-class sporting infrastructure.

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COMMUNITY BUZZ

Action bytes From hosting an exciting bike ride to international cricket teams, DSC has its hands full this season

A venue par excellence Looking to stage a concert or event, host a function, or simply purchase a corporate box during a match? The Dubai International Stadium, one of the world’s most breathtaking sports and entertainment venues, is the perfect place. It provides everything you would expect from a unique multipurpose venue including the facilities to stage a range of sporting and entertainment events that can

seat any number of people from under 500 to 25,000. The stadium has 41 deluxe corporate hospitality suites and an exclusive luxurious royal box suite overlooking the field, in addition to conference and function rooms that are available for hire. You can also avail of ready-made packages for family or corporate ‘Fun Days’ or create your own. Corporates can also hire the

The Great Dubai Pulse Ride sets the right pace

stadium as a site to conduct team-building activities. Dubai Sports City’s (DSC) event team has a wealth of experience when it comes to organising successful and interesting family fun and corporate events. They understand the need for basic and essential facilities, including health and safety, catering and entertainment. The team works with the country’s leading suppliers ensuring quality services. Other services that can be availed of include: strategic planning for events, venue management, facility management, food and beverage management, ticketing management, security, marketing and PR management. For more information please visit DSC’s website or call 04 425 11 11.

Canada and Kenya cricket teams eager to be back Canada cricket coach, Gus Logie, and Robin Brown, the coach of the Kenya cricket team, say their squads are counting days before returning to the ICC Global Cricket Academy for this November’s ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. This is after they spent two weeks this month playing and training at the state-of-the-art facility. The sides are set to take part in the event in the UAE with the prize of places in next year’s ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh up for grabs. Robin Brown says, “We are looking forward to coming back for the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. We have tried to move our game forward, the guys have been very positive and I think they have benefited from being here as the facilities are second to none.”

Dubai Sports City Events http://on.fb.me/oo6RtG www.twitter.com/DSCSportEnt

The Great Dubai Pulse Ride, held in March, was a fantastic initiative by the Dubai Sports Council to make sport a lifestyle for Dubai’s residents. About 400 people took part in the two rides organised as a part of the event, a five-kilometre course going on and off-road for families and children and a 25-kilometre cross-country ride for more experienced cyclists. Every rider who took part in the event qualified for a prize draw for a mountain

ICC Global Cricket Academy http://on.fb.me/XJf6GO www.twitter.com/DxbSportsCity Pictures: Supplied

bike, courtesy of The Cycle Hub, a bike shop based at Dubai Motor City. The winner of that draw was eight-yearold Kaleo Kolb, a student at Dubai International Academy, who took part in the fivekilometre ride.

DSC Football Academy http://on.fb.me/102AQAh www.twitter.com/DSCFootball The Els Club http://on.fb.me/142lcdn www.twitter.com/TheELSCLUBDUBAI

CALENDAR

On the agenda

Golfing Events

ICC Global Cricket Academy Tournaments

Indoor Summer Tournament May 31-June 14 No. of teams: 16 Players: 8 a side Format: 12 overs Timings: 8-9.30pm and 9.30-11pm For more information call 04 448 1355 or email: iccgca@dxbsport.com

Don’t miss the exciting events coming your way Dubai International Stadium

Indoor Ramadan Tournament

Corbis

April onwards various corporate events October 6-November 16: Pakistan vs South Africa Cricket Series* November 25, 27-30: ICC World T20 Cup Qualifiers December 1-January 31, 2014: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Cricket Series* February 7-March 3, 2014: ICC U19 World Cup

The Els Club Mixed Open Academies

Family Fun Sports Open Days: September 7/October 5/ November 2/December 14

Football — The Dome

April 19-June 28 (10 weeks): Summer Junior League (5 to 15 years of age) every Friday from 9am-9pm May 14-July 2 (8 weeks): Adult Social League (7 a side) every Wednesday from 7.30-11pm May 14-July 2 (8 weeks): Corporate League (7 a side) every Tuesday from 7.30-11pm June 30-August 15: Socatots Summer Camp (walking to 5 years of age) – Weekdays from 9am-12pm June 30-August 15: Football Summer Camp (5 to 15 years of age) — Weekdays from 8.30am-3.30pm July 8 for 4 weeks: Ramadan Cup (7 a side) every Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday from 9pm-1am* October 3 and 4: Oktoberfest Dubai

May 17 Who is eligible? Open to all mixed couples holding a valid EGF handicap or certificate if outside the UAE. Format 18 Hole Aggregate Stroke Play event — gross and net divisions Individual Tee Times: The Royal & Ancient Rules of golf apply, along with local rules as specified on the day of play Registration Please call 04 425 1000 for the registration form or visit www.elsclubdubai.com

Butch Harmon School of Golf (BHSG) Junior ProgramME

4 to 16 years of age, starting from Dh1,200 For more information please contact BHSG on 04 425 1040 or email: info@butchharmondubai.com

Football

April 1-4: Dubai Super Cup (4-10pm every day) April 7-June 13: Socatots — Term 3 training programme for children (six months to 5 years of age) April 7-June 13: Soccer Stars — Term 3 training programme for children (5 to 15 years of age)

Rugby:

May 13 (10 weeks): Touch Rugby League every Monday from 7.30-10.30pm October 18: DSC M&Y Tournament November 8: DSC Senior 7s Tournament November 15 and 16: Schools 7s Flood Lit Tournament

*Dates to be confirmed/timings subject to change For more information visit www.dubaisportscity.ae

Repair And Fitting Centre

Our qualified technician provides a custom-fit session, which includes a full track man fitting report, resulting in clubs that are specifically suited to you and your golf game. For more information please contact BHSG on 04 425 1040 or email: info@butchharmondubai.com

July 12-August 1 No. of teams: 24 Players: 8 a side Format: 12 overs Timings: 8-9pm, 9.15-10.15pm and 10.30-11.30pm For more information call 04 448 1355 or email: iccgca@dxbsport.com

Indoor School/ University Tournament September * No. of teams: 16 Players: 8 a side Format: 12 overs Timings: 6-7pm and 7.15-8.15pm For more information call 04 448 1355 or email: iccgca@dxbsport.com

Second Arabian Cricket League Tournament

Start of August until September * No. of teams: 16 Players: 11 a side Format: 20 overs Timings: 7pm-10.30pm For more information call 04 448 1355 or email: iccgca@dxbsport.com

Midnight Cricket League

End of May or August * No. of teams: 16 Players: 8 a side Format: 12 overs Timings: 12-2.15 am For more information call 04 448 1355 or email: iccgca@dxbsport.com

Ladies Group Coaching

KFC Emirates T20 Cricket League

Beginner, Development and Elite groups available Maximum five ladies per professional instructor Dh850 per six-week session For more information please contact BHSG on 04 425 1040 or email: info@butchharmondubai.com

April 29-30, May 2-4 Format: 2xT20 matches/day Timings: 4pm until midnight First match: 5-8pm Second match: 8.30-11.30pm