Abu Dhabi Week takes a closer look at the jam-packed event of all things active at Zayed Sports City’s The Big Weekend
Abu Dhabi is teeming with sports enthusiasts. From footy fanatics to water polo pros, the capital is filled with active people – and even more so, with active families.
Zayed Sports City (ZSC) has created a weekend for everyone in your clan, from your teeny-tiny ones to the leaders of the pack; there will be something to keep you entertained, smiling, running and laughing for the entire three days. So, just how big do you want your weekend to be?
Ready, set, go!
“We’re providing a unique and healthy entertainment outlet that is well distanced from TVs and computer screens,” says Barry Bremner, General Manager of Zayed Sports City.
ZSC has some of the best sporting spaces in the capital: lush green grass pitches, a variety of courts for different sports, even some golden sand for beach volleyball. Most of them will be crammed for The Big Weekend, with taster sessions and sporting clinics for rugby, football, tennis, and dance – there’s even a golf simulator for the kids to try. You want more? The real test has been organised by Haddin’s Fitness, where the ZSC gym looks to find Abu Dhabi’s Fittest Kid.
Fancy trying something a little bit different? Friends and families will be breathing heavily, and not just from laughter, as Soapy Soccer has been arranged to get your heart pumping and your sides splitting! On a specially designed slippery pitch, the game of football gets flipped on its head – perhaps literally! –in this suddsy soccer spectacular.
Footballers who feel they’ve got the skills-to-pay-the-bills should enter the keep-ups competition hosted by top street freestyler Rafael Spajic. If you compete you’ll have to keep the ball off the ground with foot, head, knee, chest or even shoulder. The highest number of touches before the ball hits the ground wins one of the great prizes up for grabs. Who knows, Spajic may even show the crowds some of his talent too.
Want something louder and faster? Try Capoeira. This Brazilian martial art blends dance moves with non-contact combat – exhilarating and exhausting to watch, let alone to do. The Big Weekend welcomes Capoeira Arte Brasil as they host live performances and interactive workshops for those who wish to give it a go.
Feeling competitive? The obstacle course is for you – try to beat your friends and family in record time. And for those willing to stretch their competitiveness – and their muscles – to the max, strap in and give the Bungee Run a go, as you fight against the might of a giant bungee rope to see how far you can run along the running strip.
“The Big Weekend is a great way for the family to have fun and get active,” says Bremner.
Abu Dhabi’s Fittest Kid
“With thousands expected over the weekend, we are hoping that plenty of youngsters will get involved and enjoy what we have got planned,” said Mike Haddin, Managing Director of Haddin’s Fitness.
He’s looking for the fittest child in town. Kids aged five to 18-years-old will be able to compete in age-categorised fitness challenges. The winner from each age group will take away an incredible prize, with the runners up receiving some cool prizes too.
There is no pre-registration, so simply make your way to the Sports Zone on the day to sign up. Prizes will be awarded for winners of Abu Dhabi’s Fittest Kid, along with other competitions that have been organised at the end of each day. Good luck!
Time for a breather
With all this activity, maybe it’s time for a break? Or at least watch other people do all the hard work! Throughout the weekend, there will be plenty to see when you’re not clambering over an obstacle course or going for a slam dunk.
Jugglers will dazzle you with some incredible catching combos and tricks, and stilt walkers will tower above the hundreds at ZSC as they walk amongst the crowds. You can even have your photo snapped with them too.
Also mingling with the masses will be some well-known cartoon characters ready to play – and of course pose with you for a selfie!
ZSC will also have a petting zoo for all young animal lovers, with plenty of furry and feathered friends of all shapes and sizes. There will be bouncies and inflatables, TCA Abu Dhabi is installing a traditional heritage village, and there’s an arts and crafts centre for your creative side.
Those who wish to kick back and enjoy a variety of performances will also be in for a treat, as The Big Weekend will be hosting plenty of shows over the three days.
From Thursday to Saturday, Sarah El Gohary and her three-piece band will entertain crowds with live music. The band will be playing Arabic songs with a groovy twist, along with some funky covers, for an hour each day.
Beat Box Ray will be impressing crowds with his ten-minute display of beatboxing on each day. This is a must if you’ve never seen it before – beatboxing has the performer using his voice to emulate not only the beat of a song but also the melody, and, somehow, the lyrics too.
Fans of dance will see plenty of moves at The Big Weekend, as a variety of performances will grace ZSC. The Room Abu Dhabi at ZSC has created a ballet performance that is sure to impress, as will the Bollywood performance from the Abu Dhabi Rockers. And for those hankering after the Emerald Isle, the Expressions School of Dance & Drama will wow crowds with a vibrant Irish dance performance.
What do you get when you cross ice, dance, giant costumes and Japan? A Sumo ice-skating show of course! At the ZSC Ice Rink you’ll be treated to a show that is both funny and skillful as talented skaters dressed as Sumo wrestlers glide gracefully around the ice. Warning: you will be laughing long after the show’s finished!
If the dancing makes you feel like moving, then take a stroll around the handicrafts bazaar. A plethora of homemade items will have you exploring for hours, as local makers of jewellery, furniture, glassware and more will have their goods ready on their stalls.
DATES AND TIMES
Thursday 30th October from 4pm to 9pm
Friday 31st October from 2pm to 9pm
Saturday 1st November 2pm to 9pm
FEES
Individual: AED 50
Family of four: AED 180
Children under two years old free
Jack Dignum
