SummerFest Abu Dhabi, the emirate’s seasonal extravaganza, will feature a world-class cast of international sporting superstars as part of its ‘SportFest’ activities at Yas Island’s du Forum.

 

Readying for ‘SportFest’ appearances are Tim Henman, the English tennis hero; Robert ‘Big Shot Rob’ Horry, a seven-time NBA champion and former Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs player; former Manchester United and England striker Andrew Cole, part of the Red Devils’ historic treble-winning team of 1999 and the second-highest goal-scorer in English Premier League history; 18-time UAE badminton champion and former Iranian national team captain Afshin Bozorgzadeh; and the UAE’s world jiu-jitsu brown belt champion Faisal Al Ketbi and Mohammed Al Qubaisi (blue belt).

 

Running throughout the Holy month of Ramadan from July 10 to August 3, ‘SportFest’ will feature sporting events, tournaments and celebrities coaching masterclasses at the air-conditioned du Forum. Open to a variety of age groups, the weekly activations will see weekly winners awarded one-off master classes with genuine sporting giants, a statement said

 

“The SportFest format has been designed so that men and women can keep fit and play sports with true sporting legends during Ramadan evenings,” said Sultan Al Muhairi, manager, SummerFest Abu Dhabi. “With coaching and competitions over the first two days, the top individuals or teams from each sport will win a personal coaching session with some of the biggest names in sport.”

 

The mixed martial art of jiu-jitsu gets ‘SportFest’ under way, with Al Ketbi and Al Qubaisi demonstrating how to perfect double-leg take-downs and other signature moves during an Intermediate Clinic from July 10-12. Entry to the two-hour sessions, which are only open to over-12s and run from 21:00 to 23:00, costs Dh50 per participant.

 

Henman then serves up ‘Racket Week’ from July 13-15. Open to over 14s only, entry to the three-hour sessions - running nightly from 20:00 to 23:00 - costs Dh50 per participant. Competitions will include men’s doubles and mixed doubles. 

 

Badminton takes centre-stage in week three, with Bozorgzadeh manning the courts from July 18-20. With singles competitions for men and woman and a mixed doubles contest, entry to the three-hour sessions - running nightly from 20:00 to 23:00 - is only open to over-12s and costs just Dh50 per participant.

 

Next up, ‘Big Shot Rob’ Horry dunks into Abu Dhabi from July 24-27. The men’s-only basketball bonanza, running nightly from 20:00 to 00:00, is open to over 14s only and entry costs Dh400 per team. 

 

Finally, football legend Cole hits the back of the ‘SportFest’ net from July 31 to August 3. The men-only five-a-side football festival, running nightly from 21:00 to 01:00, is only open to over 16s and entry costs Dh400 per team.

 

Three dedicated ladies’ nights featuring one focus sport will take place on July 16 (volleyball), July 23 (basketball) and July 30 (football). Ladies’ nights will also feature yoga classes, badminton and tennis options. ‘SportFest’ ladies’ nights will be open to all women and completely free to attend. Women are welcome to bring male children aged five-years-old or younger, although there will not be child care services provided, the statement said. – TradeArabia News Service