The dark clouds and wind did not dampen the spirits as more than 500 people flocked to Zayed Sports City to celebrate the UAE’s first- ever National Sports Day.
It was one of 100 planned events in the capital with a further 200 across the UAE with plenty of sports organisations, schools and companies taking part.
And a wide variety of sports were on the agenda including tennis, inflatable bowling, billiards, football and fitness challenges.
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The concept of National Sports Day was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Ras-hid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, earlier in the year to bring various communities toget-her through sport.
With organisers emphasising that people of all ages and nationalities should embrace the opportunity across the country, under the theme of ‘UAE Unites Us’, their message did not fall on deaf ears, attracting thousands nationwide.
Children as young as three took to the field for fun and interactive exercises, sponsored by Daman’s ActiveLife, while the half-hour spinning marathons proved to be very popular.
Ahmed Esawi from Jordan came with his wife Enas 30 and two daughters – Yara, one, and three-year-old Salma. The 33-year-old practiced his shooting skills in basketball and hopes the visit will inspire his family to take up sport.
“My oldest daughter played inflatable bowling and basketball and I really hope she can take notice from this,” he said.
“It’s a great initiative by the government and I will encourage my family to practice sports as it’s very good exercise.”
After cycling for nearly half an hour in the spinning marathon, Germany’s Lea Eickemeyer spoke glowingly of the initiative.
“It’s a great concept and I really enjoyed my visit here,” said the 17-year-old, who has special needs.
“It’s very encouraging to see many people come here and it has now inspired me to start cycling.”
Fifteen-year-old Omar Ashraf tried his luck in basketball with his three friends, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“Basketball is a really cool sport. I love football but basketball is great,” said the Egyptian.
Instructor Karim Omar, who es, was amazed by the variety of sports on offer and felt it was a great decision to bring his family.
“There is a lot of sports here. I have to do a lot of exercise since I’m a karate instructor but there are some things I saw that I will try to do,” he said.
Having tested himself in an obstacle fitness challenge, Faisal Majd insists he will need to change his habits if he wants to get fitter.
“I exercise quite a lot,” said the 35-year-old Briton. “But the obstacle challenge was really tough and it tested my fitness. But overall it was good.
"It’s good I came here because it has made me realise that I have to give up things like shisha if I want to be fit and healthy in the future.”
Activities also included short exercise challenges for children and parents, and Mona Elbadry insists that was a great idea.
“Nothing is more important than parents showing an example. I don’t regularly exercise with my daughter (Maryam, 7), but this was a great session to be involved with her.”
Activelife ambassador and Egyptian triathlete Omar Nour added: “It’s a brilliant concept and this is something that we need here. If you look around people are laughing and smiling and doing sports.”
Meanwhile, the UAE succeeded in gaining an entry in the Guinness World Records by conducting the largest Jiu-Jitsu class in Abu Dhabi with 2481 pupils taking part in the effort.
The event took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and was organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and the Abu Dhabi Education Council in partnership with Palms Sports.
