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| A comprehensive
guide
to current and future events and exhibitions in
the UAE |
|
Valuable concise reference source on the UAE,
covering political system, economy, business, history and
heritage,
education, women, healthcare, tourism and environment. |
|
|
Natural history of the UAE,
covering all animals and plants recorded in the
Emirates. |
|
|
Report by National US Arab Chamber of Commerce on the
UAE. Vol XV, No 3, June 2007. Includes analysis of UAE economy. |
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General
Information
Activities
Events and Exhibitions
Organized Tours
SPORTS
As spectator or participant you can indulge any or all of your sporting passions in the UAE. Languid days by the pool or beach can be interspersed with a huge range of sporting activities, including adventurous exploration of mountain and desert. Sporting and recreational facilities are exceptional and major international sporting events are staged at various times of the year. Your travel agent or hotel can assist in purchasing tickets or planning an itinerary of activities, alternatively contact one of the tour providers based in the UAE. If you are feeling really fit, you can run in the Dubai Marathon!
Camel Racing
This may be your only opportunity to view a unique sport that is an integral part of the heritage of the UAE. Camel racing takes place during the winter season (Thursdays and Friday mornings, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., from October to March) at special tracks around the country. The atmosphere is electric, especially during public holidays when major races for considerable prize money are held. There is no admission fee.
Al Wathba Racetrack is about 45km east of Abu Dhabi. Al Ain Racetrack is situated approximately 25km from Al Ain on the Abu Dhabi road. Nad al-Sheba camel track, which has an impressive grandstand in the shape of a billowing bedouin tent, is located on the outskirts of Dubai city behind the Metropolitan Hotel. Sharjah, Ajman, Ra’s al-Khaimah and Fujairah also host camel racing but the camel racetrack, located between Falaj al-Mualla and Umm al-Qaiwain city, is one of the more simple and attractive of UAE racetracks.
Check with your tour operator or local newspapers for exact dates and times of events.
Canoeing
Some tour operators (e.g. Desert Rangers 04 3460808/3453091 www.desertrangers.com) organize canoeing trips through the mangroves – no experience is necessary.
Car Rallying
Emirates Motor Sports Federation (04 2827111 www.emsfuae.com) organizes a wide range of car rallying events in the UAE.
The Desert Challenge, part of the World Cup, is held in the first week in December.
Cricket
Cricket has a growing following in the UAE. Top world teams compete in purpose-built cricket stadiums in Sharjah (06 5322991), and Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi Cricket Council (02 6459790). The Council organizes a range of matches and tournaments throughout the year, including the Abu Dhabi Duty Free Tournament.
Al Ain Cricket Association (050 6231590) grounds are located between the Hilton and Intercontinental hotels.
Darjeeling Cricket Club, Dubai (04 3331746) runs regular matches against visiting sides.
Football
Football fans need not be deprived of their favourite sport since soccer is also the most popular national sport in the UAE. There are stadiums galore, including Zayed Sports City, the biggest sports complex in the Middle East. Check in local newspapers for fixtures. www.uae-football.org.ae
Abu Dhabi Strollers Football Club (050 6127957) provides expatriates in the UAE with the opportunity to play competitive football. Gaelic football enthusiasts can also assuage their withdrawal symptoms at the Dubai Exiles Rugby Club where the Gaelic Athletic Association (04 343 0116 dubaicelts@hotmail.com) holds their games and training sessions.
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Golf
The UAE is blessed with numerous well appointed golf courses including challenging PGA championship golf courses with lush fairways and exquisitely manicured greens. A couple of courses, being sand, offer the unique opportunity to play on ‘ browns’ (oiled sand) instead of greens. All the major golf courses have state-of-the-art clubhouses and a range of additional facilities, including quality pro-shops and dedicated coaching facilities with PGA qualified professionals. All players on the main courses are required to hold an official handicap of 28 or less for men and 36 or less for women. Only soft spikes or rubber-soled shoes are permitted and conventional golfing apparel is mandatory (t-shirts with collars and tailored shorts/trousers). No denims or jeans are permitted on the course or in the clubhouse. Golf clubs and golf carts are available for hire. It is advisable to book time slots well in advance (see the section Getting There for information on package golf holidays). Bookings from outside the UAE must be by fax giving full details of the booking and credit card number as guarantee.
For more information email uaegolf@emirates.net.ae; browse the UAE Golf Association website www.ugagolf.com or contact bookings@dubaigolf.com 04 3475201.
Dubai Desert Classic www.dubaidesertclassic.com). The Dubai Desert Classic, a European Tour event sponsored by DUBAL, is usually held in March. This is your chance to see some of the world’s top professional golfers compete for prize money in excess of US$1 million.
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Horse Riding
As you might expect from a country enamoured with all things equine, recreational riding is well catered for in the UAE. Lessons suitable for all abilities are available and desert rides are popular for the more experienced. Most enthusiasts have their own equipment but you can usually purchase or hire a hat if necessary. Rates vary depending on your requirements.
The riding club at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (02 455500) has horses suitable for a wide range of abilities. Facilities include extensive stables and an air-conditioned show jumping and riding arena. Show jumping events are staged on a regular basis.
Abu Dhabi Tourist Club (02 4455500 adclub@emirates.net.ae)
Abu Dhabi Hunting & Equestrian Club (02 447545).
Ajman Equestrian Club, near city centre Ajman (06 7433123) gives lessons in show jumping and dressage. Desert trips for riders are also available.
Hotel Intercontinental, Al Ain has stables, horses for lessons and desert hacks.
Club Joumana, Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai (04 8836000 www.jebelalihotel.com) can provide lessons and hacks as well as desert rides.
Dubai Equestrian Centre (04 3361394) is located near the camel race track Nad al-Sheba The centre has extensive facilities, including floodlit arena, riding school arenas and dressage arenas.
Jebel Ali Equestrian Club, Jebel Ali Village (04 8845566) is an approved branch of the British Pony Club and offers lessons for children and adults. Hacking, dressage and jumping are also available.
Facilities at Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club, Al Dhaid Rd (06 5311155), situated about 17km from the centre of Sharjah on the Sharjah-Dhaid road, include a floodlit sand arena, a floodlit paddock, grass show jumping arena and hacking trails.
Umm al-Qaiwain Marine Club and Riding Centre (06 7666644), near Palm Beach Resort, Umm al-Qaiwain offers lessons for beginners and the more advanced in basic riding skills, jumping and dressage as well as hacks on the beach and in the desert.
Ice-Skating
In a country where the sun always shines you can enjoy an activity that is more typical of colder climates but bring a sweater!
Abu Dhabi Tourist Club (026723400 adclub@emirates.net.ae) has a large ice-skating rink with TV screens and floodlights.
Abu Dhabi Ice Rink (02 4448458) at Zayed Sport City can also provide hours of fun. Located off Airport Road. Ice hockey training and matches are on Saturday and Sunday. Great fun, but remember to take a sweater. In Al Ain you can skate at Hili Fun City & Ice Rink (03 784 5542 funcity@emirates.net.ae)
Dubai has two ice-rinks, Al Nasr Leisureland (04 3371234) and Hyatt Regency Galleria (04 2096550). Opening hours can vary according to season and activities so check before you go.
Polo
Polo (and hacking) can be experienced at Dubai Polo Club (04 3331188). Riding equipment is available for hire.
Ghantoot Polo & Racing Club, Sheikh Zayed Rd, about an hour’s drive from Abu Dhabi (02 5629050 grpc1@emirates.net.ae) has four floodlit polo fields, a racing grandstand, polo school, tennis courts, swimming pool and fitness centre. The polo season featuring regular chukka tournaments and major international events runs from Mid-October to April. Spectators are welcome.
Powerboat Races
World championship powerboat races are staged each year in the UAE. The final round of the inshore Formula One is staged off Abu Dhabi Sharjah in November complementing offshore Class One races held off Dubai and Fujairah. The UAE’s own powerboat teams (Victory Teams) have had remarkable success on the world circuit over the years.
Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club at the Breakwater, Abu Dhabi (ADIMSC 02 6815566 www.adimsc.com, adimsc@eim.ae) and Dubai International Marine Sports Club at Mina Seyahi (DIMC 04 3994111 www.dimc-uae.com/english) also organizes powerboat races throughout the year.
Rock Climbing
If you are a beginner or wish to improve your skills try the indoor climbing wall at Pharaohs Club, Pyramids, Oud al-Mehta, Dubai (04 3240000 www.waficity.com). If you are a competent climber and the excellent rock climbing routes in the UAE mountains beckon to you, staff at the Pharaohs Club may have information about informal groups who tackle the mountains on a regular basis.
Rugby
Abu Dhabi Rugby Football Club (050 6621861) participates in both local and regional tournaments.
Al Ain Amblers Rugby Club (050 4492670) plays on grass pitches next to the Al Ain Intercontinental and Al Ain Oasis Barbarians Rugby Club (03 7825568) holds weekly touch rugby sessions that are open to everyone.
The Six Nations Rugby Tournament is held at the Dubai's Irish Village and other locations in April. World-class rugby sevens compete in the Dubai Rugby Sevens in November/December each year for the prestigious Emirates International Trophy. Friendly matches are also played on a regular basis with international teams. Check events magazines and newspapers for details or call Dubai Exiles Rugby Club (04 3331198), near Dubai Country Club.
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Sailing
Hotels and beach clubs throughout the UAE provide recreational sailing for short-term visitors. If you have a deeper interest in the sport you could contact one of the local sailing clubs.
For a truly wonderful experience you can watch traditional sailing dhows, graceful craft from an earlier age when great wooden trading dhows plied the Indian Ocean, or traditional longboats powered by up to 100 oarsmen, race off the Abu Dhabi Corniche and other venues throughout the Emirates. These events usually coincide with one of the local festivals, especially National Day (2 December). Check the local newspapers for details.
Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC 02 6815566 www.adimsc.com adimsc@emirates.net.ae) organizes open regattas for sailing boats (catamarans, lasers, etc.) and windsurfers. Abu Dhabi Sailing Club (ADSC) is part of The Club, Madinat Zayed (02 6731111). Temporary membership is available.
Abu Dhabi Catamaran Association (02 5547810) holds races on alternate Thursdays and every Friday throughout the year.
Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (04 3941669 www.dosc.ae) is a non-profit club, run by a committee of volunteers, where sailors of all abilities are welcome. It provides moorings, launching facilities, sail training as well as full catering and an active yachting and social calendar.
Dubai International Marine Club (04 3994111 www.dimc-uae.com/english) is no longer a members’ club, but organizes local, national and international boat races and watersports events. Spectators are welcome.
UAQ Tourist Club (The Flamingo Beach Resort 06 7670000 flaming1@emirates.net.ae) is situated in the old part of town on the lagoon. This relaxed club offers great sailing in all types of boats, including catamarans, glass-bottom boats for viewing the coral reefs, and a dhow for sea trips. Waterskiing, windsurfing and jetskiing are also catered for.
Shooting/Archery
Hatta Fort Hotel (04 8523211 www.hattaforthotel.com) has supervised clay pigeon ranges and archery facilities.
Jebel Ali Shooting Club (04 8836555 www.jebelalihotel.com) offers pistol, skeet and trap shooting, as well as simulated laser shooting. Ra’s al-Khaimah Shooting Club (07 2363622) will teach you to shoot with a variety of guns. It also has facilities for archery. Facilities at Umm al-Qaiwain Shooting Club (06 7681900) include air conditioned and soundproofed indoor ranges, outdoor ranges and a ‘big gun’ range.
Dubai Archery Group (04 2215839)1 www.uaearch@egroups.com) is an informal association whose meetings take place in front of Dubai College.
Snow Skiing
Ski Dubai (www.skidubai.com) in Dubai's Emirates Mall commenced operations in December 2005. This is the third largest indoor ski slope, measuring 400 metres and using 6000 tons of snow. A second indoor ski slope is due to open in Dubailand in 2008.
Tennis
Tennis courts are widely available at hotels and private clubs throughout the UAE. Many are floodlit to facilitate playing in the cool of the evening.
The Dubai Tennis Open, the Dubai Duty Free sponsored ATP and WTA event which attracts top-seeded players, is usually held at the Aviation Club (04 2824122) in February each year.
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