Dubai Sports City’s latest Open Day this Friday (28 November) is all set to be a success in more ways than one as it coincides with international cricketing action at the ICC Academy.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) national team will be playing Afghanistan in a One-Day International at one of the ICC Academy’s two full-sized ovals.
And so attendees at the Open Day will get a free, first-hand look at two of the sides taking part in next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The cricket action will be just a part of the Open Day, which runs from 2 – 6pm and which will showcase the world-class facilities and coaching available from the ICC Academy, Spanish Soccer Schools and Socatots, and the Butch Harmon School of Golf.
And there will also be a chance for attendees to check out the outdoor courts and pitches that can stage athletics, basketball, netball, tennis, rugby, American and Australia Rules Football.
Looking ahead to Friday, Dubai Sports City General Manager – Sports Business Mr Maqbul Dudhia said: “The Open Day at Dubai Sports City has become a regular and hugely popular family day and we are delighted to be staging it once again.
“The fact it coincides with a One-Day International cricket match between the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan is an added attraction as it will provide people with the opportunity to see, first-hand, how our world-class facilities are used by world-class sportsmen and women.
“We are immensely proud of the range and quality of what we can offer to children and adults of all abilities and this is a perfect opportunity for us to showcase those offerings ahead of term two of the school year that begins in January.”
The ICC Academy provides cricket coaching for children from walking age through its Cricket Cubs programme right up to 18 years old, and this year has also provided courses for the first time for girls and adults too.
And those activities have been continuing while a host of international sides have been using the facilities, including the Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand squads.
Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and the UAE are also in the midst of a preparation camp at the ICC Academy ahead of next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup, and New Zealand A are playing matches against them ahead of the Black Caps’ limited overs series against Pakistan next month.
Dubai Sports City also offers football coaching for toddlers through its Socatots programme. And its Spanish Soccer Schools scheme, overseen by Real Madrid and Spain legend Michel Salgado, has crossed 1000 children in just its second year of operation.
The facilities used by the football programmes include a full-sized, FIFA-approved indoor pitch, and both West Ham United and Swansea City from the English Premier League have held training camps there.
