There’s a few days remaining to sign up for free basketball, football and badminton coaching classes that are being run throughout June by Middlesex University, Dubai.
Open to students over 16, the football classes (for boys only), will take place at Dubai Football Centre, Al Qouz on Sundays and Thursdays from 16:30 to 18:00.
And on Mondays and Wednesdays, Zayed Bin Sultan School Sports Hall, Satwa, Dubai will hold the badminton and basketball classes for boys and girls from 14:30 to 16:30.
The registration deadline is this Saturday (May 31), while all classes will finish before Ramadan which begins at the end of June.
Additionally, the university will also be holding its girls Mid Fit summer camp, held every Monday and Thursday from (12:00-14:00) at its Dubai campus, Knowledge Village, Block 17.
It will be the first time the university will be holding the classes in June and Dr Lois Smith, Middlesex University Dubai’s acting director said they wanted to do something that would benefit students’ health.
She said: “We have had a very successful sports year and with the season now over, the students were asking us what can we do to keep the fitness levels up.
“And because we knew they were so keen, we decided that we would organise these free sports classes for them. And it seemed wise to extend that and open it to other students in the UAE and get them involved in playing sports as well.”
Explaining why football, basketball and badminton were chosen, she explained: “Our teams – basketball, football and badminton – have all been very successful so we thought we’d give those sports a try.”
The students will learn a variety of skills related to the specific sports as well as playing some matches.
Dr Smith added: “The classes will involve two aspects. They will get to learn new skills and have the chance to play matches. There will be professional coaches that we’ve been working with for years now, who will guide the classes.
“Depending on the skill level of each student and the number of people who sign up, the coaches will decide on the type of training. But primarily it will be developing the skills of the students, playing matches and naturally having fun.”
While there is no certain cap on the number of students for each class, Dr Smith said they adhere to the university’s vision of promoting a healthy lifestyle.
She said: “One of the things we pride ourselves on at Middlesex University is that our our sporting activities are open to everyone and not just for people who are toplevel ability in the sport.
“And the main reason we want people to take part is that it will be full of fun, it’s free and it’s all about fitness. It will also be an opportunity to make new friends.”
VENUE: Dubai Football Centre, Al Qouz and Zayed Bin Sultan School Sports Hall, Satwa.
WHAT: Free basketball, badminton and football classes.
WHEN: Throughout June, but make sure you register before the deadline on May 31.
CONTACT: Register by emailing [email protected] or visit www.mdx.ac
