PHOTOS: It's game on at Dubai Sports World

With excellent indoor facilities spread over 25,000 sqm of air-conditioned space at the Dubai World Trade Centre, DSW will run until August 27.

Not even the soaring summer heat can beat down Dubai residents' passion for sports, as Dubai Sports World (DSW), the region's largest indoor sports venue, just returned for its sixth edition to let everyone play their favourite sport all summer.
With excellent indoor facilities spread over 25,000 sqm of air-conditioned space at the Dubai World Trade Centre, DSW will run until August 27 and offer a variety of sports for people of all ages and skill sets. DSW boasts a cycling studio, fitness gym, four 7-a-side football/rugby pitches, four 5-a-side football pitches; four basketball courts; a cricket pitch; a volleyball court, eight badminton courts, a wrestling ring, an activation zone, a dozen ping pong tables, three tennis courts, and a 545-metre running track.
Renting a basketball or volleyball court start at Dh95 per hour, while a 5-a-side football pitch is Dh225, but many sporting activities with free entry are available for the entire family.
"We always look forward to DSW in the summer," Chinese expat Yongjun He, tells Khaleej Times. "Here we can get fit, play and have fun as a family in a safe and enjoyable environment," Yongjun adds, watching his three-year son Wenxin running around the fitness gym.
The importance of a healthy lifestyle is at the heart of DSW's services, enabling those like Blesson Joseph and his Indian compatriots to play football here, on one of the 7-a-side pitches, every Friday morning. "The turf is good and the hourly rate for a 7-a-side pitch (Dh 275) is quite reasonable, plus the place is accessible and really clean," says Joseph.
At the nearby cricket pitch, coach Azhar Gul from G-Force Cricket Academy has been teaching the basics of the sport to children for four years now. "They really enjoy it, and come back every year. We divide them into age groups (10-12, 13-14, 15-20) and we also have our own T-10 league format," says coach Azhar.
Recreational and professional athletes alike, health buffs, fitness freaks, spectators and friends come together at DSW, which offers a platform to develop camaraderie and gamesmanship. For instance, JK Sports holds a basketball tournament every night.
An added attraction this year is the wrestling ring, especially for seven-year old Indian Vivaan Motwani, who holds the wrestling moniker 'Raj the Tiger'. He is mentored by professional trainer Caleb Hall - founder of Dubai Pro Wrestling - who has a stable of professional fighters named Savage Sam, Fayez, Blue Lightning, Joelle Hunter, and more.
"We teach them agility, conditioning, and proper moves as seen on TV, but in a safe environment," says Caleb, as he demonstrates the correct forward and backward rolls and chain wrestling, to Raj the Tiger. More importantly, the objective of teaching sports to young kids is to "commit them to being healthy for the rest of their lives," points out Caleb.
(For more information on DSW pitch bookings and enrollment in sports camps, visit www.dubaisportsworld.ae or call +9714 306 4000.)
angel@khaleejtimes.com