New sports hub with pitches and padel courts opens in Downtown Dubai


Katy Gillett
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Working out with a view has a whole new meaning at the new sporting arena Ballers, which opened this week in Downtown Dubai, with pitches and courts where you can see Burj Khalifa.

The new sports hub, on Dubai Fountain Street, spans 7,432 square metres, with football and rugby pitches, a gym, a multipurpose studio and six padel courts.

It’s industrial in its vibe, as a series of metal containers contain the studio, where yoga classes also take place, and a cafe, which sits alongside the courts and pitches.

While it’s open from 6am seven days a week, allowing visitors to get a workout in before it gets too hot, it doesn’t close until midnight, so the team are expecting night-time exercise sessions to be even more popular, “as the courts light up under Dubai’s famous city lights”, according to the opening statement.

“Ballers focuses on providing an escape from the stresses of everyday life.”

There are programmes available for individuals looking to hone their sporting skill sets, with a focus on understanding human movement, performance, injury risk and rehabilitation.

The Elite Academy, meanwhile, has been created for budding footballers and athletes. “The top-tier coaches will be on hand to nurture young talents rising the ranks through the academies which will all be spearheaded by the best football talent in the UAE.”

There’s also a Padel Tennis Academy, which offers private or group coaching sessions, with classes lasting 60 minutes for one-on-ones and 90 minutes for group lessons. Access to the courts starts from Dh450 for 90 minutes, while five-a-side football starts at Dh1,000.

Coaching via the Rugby Academy is also on offer, as is bubble football, for a change of pace.

Studio 14: eco-friendly fitness space for children and adults opens in Dubai — in pictures

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UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA

Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi

Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser

Rating: 4.5/5

Wednesday's results

Finland 3-0 Armenia
Faroes Islands 1-0 Malta
Sweden 1-1 Spain
Gibraltar 2-3 Georgia
Romania 1-1 Norway
Greece 2-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Liechtenstein 0-5 Italy
Switzerland 2-0 Rep of Ireland
Israel 3-1 Latvia

Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press

Two products to make at home

Toilet cleaner

1 cup baking soda 

1 cup castile soap

10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another oil of your choice) 

Method:

1. Mix the baking soda and castile soap until you get a nice consistency.

2. Add the essential oil to the mix.

Air Freshener

100ml water 

5 drops of the essential oil of your choice (note: lavender is a nice one for this) 

Method:

1. Add water and oil to spray bottle to store.

2. Shake well before use. 

Updated: June 22, 2022, 2:40 PM`