Abu Dhabi is turning out to be one of the UAE’s prime spots for sports and adventure fanatics.
On Tuesday, plans were revealed for Hudayriyat Island that includes transforming about 51 million square metres of it to a residential and leisure attraction.
The island already houses a number of activities that cater to thrill-seekers, from cycling lanes to courts and beaches. In December, a 15km mountain bike trail was inaugurated.
Aside from residential communities, the new mega project that is being led by developer Modon Properties, will add 53.5km of coastline to the city's landscape, including 16km of beaches.
New amenities are also underway, such as Velodrome Abu Dhabi and Surf Abu Dhabi, as well as a wide range of sport, commerce, and leisure amenities, such as the largest urban park in the emirate and a 220km-long network of cycle tracks.
What is Al Hudayriyat Island?
The 3,000-hectare island is a community with a focus on fitness and nature. Cycling and jogging tracks, a sprawling obstacle course, courts and other action-packed areas can be found on the island.
The island is connected to Abu Dhabi via a suspension bridge that is an extension of Sheikh Shakhbout Bin Sultan Street. Aside from the main road, the island can also be accessed through cycling lanes.
Existing facilities
Trail X
The recently unveiled attraction is for those who enjoy mountain biking or off-roading, with a facility set on a rough terrain.
The trail spans 15km and offers visitors four difficulty levels coded in colour: green (for beginners and casual riders), blue, red and black (for advanced riders).
Cycling track
For a more laid-back cycling experience, the island offers a stretch of five to 10km cycling tracks. The primary cycle network offers north-south and east-west connections along major road paths and green spaces. Shared cycling facilities can be found on the secondary network, which is embedded in local communities.
Jogging track
Those looking for a leisurely run can make use of the island's serene jogging tracks. Several venues across the island have such paths, including 321 Sports, Bike Park, as well as the Hudayriyat Beach for a seaside jogging experience with a view.
Hudayriyat Beach
The island offers 600 metres of swimming space on the beach, which also has other facilities for a variety of sports and activities. The beach features a cycling track, a running path, as well as four courts for football, volleyball, basketball and tennis.
Hudayriyat courts
The island boasts 23 courts that adhere to international specifications and standards — including four beach football fields, four football pitches, two beach volleyball courts, four volleyball courts, four basketball courts and four tennis courts.
OCR Park
The park is home to the largest permanent obstacle course site in the UAE. It features an adult track with eight obstacles and eight fitness stations between each obstacle, as well as a children's track with six smaller obstacle challenges. There is also a welcome centre with changing rooms.
The facility, which is sponsored by Sabco Sports, hosts classes and boot camps that people of all ages can enrol in, to be trained by qualified personal trainers and instructors. The facility is also people-of-determination-friendly.
Passes for adults are Dh150 during weekends, and Dh100 on weekdays. For children, passes cost Dh75 on weekends and Dh50 on weekdays.
The park is open from 9am-3pm and 6pm-midnight (weekdays), and 6am-noon and 7pm-1am (weekends).
Bike Park
The bike park has three trails: the inner one is designed for beginners, built from asphalt and designed in a loop. It is recommended for children who are being introduced to cycling.
The intermediate trail is for more experienced riders. It is also built using asphalt.
The outer dirt trail is for advanced off-road cyclists, and features a number of tunnels and rest areas.
Circuit X
Four unique facilities can be found in Circuit X.
The BMX park offers two types of tracks for experienced and advanced riders. Various water-themed attractions can be seen at Splash Park.
The Skate Park caters to new and experienced skateboarders and scooter riders, where they can try obstacles and get tips from coaches on site. Adventure rope courses await visitors at the High Ropes Park.
Circuit X also features a wall climbing area, as well as a zip line.
Soon to open
Surf Abu Dhabi
Surf Abu Dhabi is scheduled to open by the end of the year. It is set to be “the biggest and most advanced artificial wave facility in the world”, according to Abu Dhabi Media Office.
The attraction has its sights set on breaking records with rides, barrels and wave pools. Both seasoned surfers and novices can enjoy the venue, which could also play host to major international surfing events.
Velodrome Abu Dhabi
Due to open to the public in 2025, the facility will feature the region's first Union Cycliste Internationale category one indoor cycling track, suitable for staging global competitions.
It will include a rooftop track, connected to the ground via a 600-metre cycling ramp winding around the outer walls, giving 360-degree views of Hudayriyat Island and the Abu Dhabi skyline.
Emirate's largest urban park
A new green space will span more than 225 hectares, making it the largest urban park in Abu Dhabi.
It will feature a variety of amenities, including an elevated cycling track, an eco-tourism platform and a mangrove walk. There will also be an eco-farm, food and beverage outlets, playgrounds and events valley.
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The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3
Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)
Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)
The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition
Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More on animal trafficking
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company%20profile
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Porsche Macan T: The Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%20Profile
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Without Remorse
Directed by: Stefano Sollima
Starring: Michael B Jordan
4/5
The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
MATCH INFO
Leeds United 0
Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')
Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)
Results
4pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Dirt); 1,400m
Winner: Solar Shower; William Lee (jockey); Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
4.35pm: Handicap; Dh165,000 (D); 2,000m
Winner: Thaaqib; Antonio Fresu; Erwan Charpy.
5.10pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Turf); 1,800m
Winner: Bila Shak; Adrie de Vries; Fawzi Nass
5.45pm: Handicap; Dh175,000 (D); 1,200m
Winner: Beachcomber Bay; Richard Mullen; Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,800m
Winner: Muzdawaj; Jim Crowley; Musabah Al Muhairi
6.55pm: Handicap; Dh185,000 (D); 1,600m
Winner: Mazeed; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,200m
Winner: Riflescope; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar.
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