ABU DHABI // National Sports Day will kick-off across the country on Thursday with a series of activities that will entertain families and challenge athletes looking for a more competitive event.
Zayed Sports City will host the festival with more than 25 free activities for all fitness levels.
The event, which is in its second year, will kick-off at 10am with a social run involving students from schools around the country.
From 3pm, Zayed Sports City will be open to all looking to participate in a range of events, catering to both casual and competitive athletes, and giving residents a chance to try out different sports.
Group workout sessions including Zumba, spinning and yoga sessions will be held at Haddins Gym, with options for ladies-only classes throughout the day.
More athletic participants can attempt the stadium step challenge, which will happen later in the day and test gymrats to race up and down the tennis stadium step punctuated with burpees, push-ups and squats for a timed trial whereby the athlete can burn hundreds of calories.
The Hercules challenge will not only test participants physically as they navigate the obstacle course, but it will also test them mentally as puzzles will be incorporated through the 65m race.
Those looking for specific sports will find tennis clinics open to the public, along with martial arts courses, archery organised by Al Forsan, and even a chance to try out polo.
Those seeking less strenuous activities will find the ice rink, bowling lanes and basketball hoops open throughout the evening, as well as billiards and table tennis.
If it’s a mental exercise that you’re looking for, chess matches and clinics will be set up throughout the day.
There is also the Abu Dhabi Roller Derby, an event where women go around a rink and beat each other up.
Organisers said that the event would be annual and that many lessons would be learnt from the inaugural sports day.
A full schedule of events being held is listed here: uaesportsday.ae
nalwasmi@thenational.ae