THE
DUBAI OLYMPICS
Paintings by Betirri Bengtson www.betirri.com
GLORY, HONOUR AND A WHOLE LOT OF BRAGGING RIGHTS ARE AT THE HEART OF THE OLYMPICS. WHILE IT IS A TOUCH TOO LATE TO QUALIFY FOR THIS SUMMER’S GAMES, WHICH BEGIN LATER THIS MONTH IN LONDON, SPORTY SORTS IN DUBAI CAN STILL GET INVOLVED IN THE NEXT BEST THING BY ATTEMPTING A HOST OF OLYMPIC ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE EMIRATES.
HERE’S WHERE TO TRY YOUR HAND OR FOOT AT A RANGE OF SPORTS – YOU HAVE FOUR YEARS TO GET READY FOR THE PODIUM… 32-34 Olympics DXB.indd 32
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THE DUBAI OLYMPICS
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unless being pinned to the ground by a SWAT Track and field has team is particularly long been one of the high on your to-do list. centrepieces of the Thankfully, the Jebel Ali Olympics, yet a quick Shooting Club offers glance at the thermostat the finest firearms will tell you that heading institution in the city outside for a run this for only Dhs220 per month is bordering on hour for non-members. insanity. Seemingly aware The club’s Trap and Skeet of this, those clever cookies shooting ranges are home at Dubai Sports World have to the UAE’s Olympic team, built a 660m running track so with all eyes on them around the perimeter of representing the Emirates in the indoor hall, allowing London, now is your chance people to continue to take advantage of the running regardless of the state-of-the-art facilities. potentially record-breaking Jebel Ali Shooting Club, temperatures outside. Jebel Ali, Dubai, Wed Dubai Sports World, Sheikh to Mon, 4pm to 11pm, Rashid Hall, World Trade Dhs140 for members, Centre, Dubai, 8am to Dhs220 for non-members. 10pm, free. Tel: (04) 3064000. Tel: (04) 8836555. dubaisportsworld.ae jebelaliinternational.com
Athletics
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Largely thanks to the success of the film The Hunger Games, archery’s current stock has never been higher – well, at least not since Robin Hood was splitting apples in half to the swoons of impoverished villagers. Choosing the wilderness of the Sharjah Wanderers Golf Course over Sherwood Forest, the Dubai Archers are a friendly, well-equipped and welcoming group of archers. The range, with targets between 5m and 60m, is open throughout July but the group only meets on Fridays. Rao, who runs the club, is happy to teach newbies the basics and for only Dhs50 a go. It is well worth it. Fri, Dubai Archers, Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club, Sharjah, 8am to 12.30pm, Dhs50. Tel: (050) 5580951. dubaiarchers.com
You never forget how to ride a bike, as they saying goes, so hone your pedal-power skills around Dubai’s Autodrome. Join dozens of other riders as the circuit holds open sessions every Wednesday evening, allowing cyclists free entry around the entire 5.39km racing circuit (unless other track
Paintings by Betirri Bengtson www.betirri.com
Archery
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Clay pigeon shooting
Learning to shoot requires a controlled environment,
Cycling
bookings require changes to the free route). Dubai Autodrome, Motor City, Dubai, Wed 6pm to 9pm, free. Tel: (04) 3678700. dubaiautodrome.com
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Fencing
Be honest – part of you wishes you could wield a blade like Zorro. Sign up to the fencing summer camp at the MK Fencing Academy, and former Bulgarian national champions (and siblings) Mihail and Maria can teach you how to slash, lunge and parry to your heart’s content. Pay per week and attend as many times as you like, or if you just want to give it a go, you can pay Dhs60 for one-off lessons. You’ll be fighting like the Count Of Monte Cristo before the summer is up. En garde.
Jul 1 to 19, MK Fencing Academy, Raffles International School, Jumeirah, Dubai, beginners Sun to Thur 9am to 11am, intermediate Sun to Thur 11am to 1pm, Dhs60 per lesson or Dhs800 per week. Tel: (050) 7944190. dubaifencingclub.com
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Football
A kick-around during an Emirates summer is about as sensible as climbing inside an oven then hitting the ‘On’ switch. But with the UAE qualifying for the Olympics soccer tournament for the firstever time, football fever is upon us regardless.
Thankfully, the Dubai International Convention Centre’s Sheikh Rashid Hall has been converted into an impressive 1,800sqm indoor football stadium that will not only hold the Dubai Indoor Football Championship from July 8 to 12, but also host a whole series of football clinics. Football pitches inside the arena can be rented from Dhs200. Sheikh Rashid Hall, Dubai International Convention Centre, 8am to 10pm, Dhs200. Tel: (04) 3064000. dubaisportsworld.ae
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Horse riding
Horse riding is the adopted national sport of the UAE, and there are several places where you can learn to trot, gallop and jump. One of the best is the Al Ahli Horse Riding Club, which, despite the heat, is open throughout the summer with morning and evening lessons catering for all experiences at only Dhs150 per lesson. Al Ahli Horse Riding Club, Amman Street, Dubai, daily, Dhs150 per lesson. Tel: (04) 2988408. alahliclub.info
DUBAI SPORTS WORLD There is plenty to do, see and cheer for at this summer’s Dubai Sports World DUBAI SPORTS WORLD
Packed out with more sports than you can shake a javelin at, Dubai Sports World at the Dubai International Convention Centre is a haven for Dubai’s hibernating athletes. Regular members of the public are able to rent out anything from a full-size football pitch to beach volleyball or basketball courts or even rack up several games on the pool tables. You’ll never even notice that summer has arrived. Jun 8 to Aug 31, Sheikh Saeed Hall,
Dubai International Convention Centre. Tel: (04) 3064000. dubaisportsworld.ae
SUMMER SPORTS MAJLIS
Decked out with big screens, food stalls and plenty of comfort, the Summer Sports Majlis is the place to be to watch all of this summer’s sporting action from Wimbledon to the Olympics. Jun 8 to Jul 15 Sheikh Saeed Hall 3, Dubai International Convention Centre, Dhs100. Tel: (04) 3064000. summersportsmajlis.com
DUBAI INDOOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Just as last year saw past masters from Real Madrid and Barcelona compete against a host of the best seven-a-side teams in the UAE, this year’s indoor football championships is set for more of the same treatment. The three-day event will see local sides qualifying for a tournament that will pit them against footballing legends. Jul 8 to 12, Sheikh Rashid Hall, Dubai International Convention Centre, Dhs100. Tel: (04) 3064000. dubaisportsworld.ae JULY 2012 WHAT’S ON 33
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Don’t be confused by the name, the Dubai Karate Center has an impressive roster of qualified judo instructors that can teach you a thing or two about the Japanese martial art, regardless of whether you are a white or black belt. Just remember the uniform is called a judogi – you don’t want to see what the sensei will do to you if you call them pyjamas. Dubai Karate Center, Al Raiza Boys School, Safa 1, Jumeirah, Dubai, Tue and Wed 7pm to 9pm, Dhs440 per month. Tel: (04) 3447797. dubaikarate.com
Olympics fact: Chinese players have claimed 20 out of 24 gold medals since the sport of table tennis was introduced to the Olympics in 1988. If that inspires you to dust off your paddle and test out your backhand, then make sure you book one of the 12 tables at Dubai Sports World for free this summer. If you’re up for taking things a bit more seriously, the catchily titled Association of Table Tennis in the Gulf-UAE (ASTTIG) organises regular practice matches and tournaments. Dubai Sports World, World Trade Centre, Dubai, 8am to 10pm, free. Tel: (04) 3064000. dubaisportsworld.ae ASTTIG. uae-asttig. blogspot.com
Judo
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Kayaking
The recently opened Wadi Adventure in Jebel Hafeet offers keen oarsmen and women the chance to take on the longest man-made white-water channels in the world. More experienced paddlers can test themselves on the harder black runs, while newbies are in safe hands as instructors are on hand to teach you the basics like how to paddle, spin and turn. Wadi Adventure, Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain, Wed to Sun 10am to 10pm, Tues women only, Dhs100 for an all-day pass. Tel: (03) 7818422. wadiadventure.ae
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Rowing
Whether it is in the Dubai Marina or along the Creek, Dubai’s waterways offer perfect rowing conditions. Now that it’s summer, Monty’s Rowing School has changed its flexible daily sessions to start at 5am, so regardless of whether you are new to the sport or a former Oxford University rower, give them a call if you
fancy rowing your boat gently down the Creek. Monty’s Rowing School, Al Boom Tourist Village, Oud Metha, Dubai, daily 5am to 8pm, Dhs120. Tel: (050) 7380910. montysrowingschool.com
body and head area using either kicks or punches. Qualified instructors are available at the Dubai Karate School to teach you all the techniques twice a week for Dhs380 per month. Remember, this is tough stuff – be prepared to get tough. Dubai Karate Centre, Al Raiza Boys School, Safa 1, Jumeirah, Dubai, Tues and Wed 7pm to 9pm, Dhs380 per month. Tel: (04) 3447797. dubaikarate.com
Dubai hosting the Asian Volleyball Championships early next year. EK Volleyball Club, Dubai American Academy, Al Barsha, Dubai, Sun 7pm to 11pm, Dhs50 per session. Tel: (050) 2949171.
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Water polo
Water polo has graced every Olympics since 1900, but those without previous experience only require strong swimming skills and good hand–eye coordination Volleyball to get involved. The Boasting a membership Dubai Camels (not to of Brazilians, Italians, be confused with the ice Emiratis and Japanese – hockey team) welcome to name but a few – the both beginners and exEK Volleyball Club has internationals to their to be one of the most ranks, with training taking multicultural clubs in place every Saturday at the country. Playing Dubai Men’s College. both indoor and beach The sessions cost Dhs40 volleyball, the club and consist of swimming welcomes aspiring ballers exercises, ball drills and a to join it for its open practice game. Taekwondo sessions on Sunday nights, Dubai Camels Water Polo Unlike judo, taekwondo is as it runs drills and plays Club, Dubai Men’s College, a point-scoring sport, with a series of games. Interest Academic City Road, points awarded to reward in volleyball is on the Dubai, Sat 10am to 11am, successful strikes to the rise in the UAE with Dhs40. Tel: (055) 8854734
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SWEET 2016 Three new sports will grace the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Four years is a long time, so here’s where to start your bid for future Olympic gold in Dubai…
GOLF
Given the clutch of fantastic courses and, naturally, rain-free weather, Dubai is just about the perfect location to learn your albatrosses from your eagles. The Academy at Emirates Golf Club is offering special summer lesson packages right through until September, with either Gold, Silver or Bronze passes that include blocks of lessons, access to the driving range and access to the par-3 course. The Academy, Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, times by appointment, Gold pass Dhs2,400, Silver pass Dhs1,400 and Bronze Dhs840. Tel: (04) 3801234. dubaigolf.com
RUGBY SEVENS
With perfect timing, the conquerors of last year’s Dubai rugby sevens, the Jebel Ali Dragons, are back in training for the new season at the end of this month. Welcoming all comers, men and women, the Dragons start their pre-season training under floodlights in the relative cool of evening. Jebel Ali Shooting Club Centre of Excellence, Jebel Ali, Dubai, Mon and Wed 7pm, free. Tel: (050) 1033267. jebelalidragonsrfc.com
KITESURFING
The least conventional sport to get the 2016 nod, kitesurfing is a popular pursuit in the Emirates – so popular in fact that there is now an entire beach dedicated to it. Kitesurfing UAE’s main man Mark Andrew teaches beginners up to experienced riders, starting off with lessons in basic knowledge and techniques. Equipment is all included. Nessnass Beach, between Jumeirah Beach Park and Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, Dubai, times by appointment, individual lesson Dhs200. Tel: (050) 8860874. markandrewkiteschool.com
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