Amateur Sports in UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is known for skyscrapers and luxurious lifestyles for tourists. The country is more than that, especially when we look at its multicultural fabric. The social fabric of the UAE consists of people from Asia, Australia, America and Europe. Several expats have come to the UAE for better job prospects and good career growth. The UAE has become a global economic hub in terms of business. However, the economy has escalated with traditional and modern amateur sports, such as; football, cricket, falconry, horse racing and other sports.

The amateur sport is played as a hobby. It does not involve professional players or anything that is related to career and money. People involved in amateur sports play them for fun and enjoyment. Sports at this level help people in better networking skills where they can have long-term friendships. They also learn team-playing techniques for their personal and professional growth. Our sports lawyers in UAE, can provide more clear idea about amateur sports in UAE.

The amateur sports in the UAE have gained the attention of many players in the relevant sports. Together UAE government and international leaders have come across initiatives to contribute to sports activities:

The UAE government has made futuristic investments in sports by modernising the infrastructure and introducing fitness programmes. It has moved many sports athletes to begin their sports careers from the grassroots level. In fact, many sports challenges are organised on a national level that focuses on sports and fitness.

The UAE has more than 200 nationalities as expats, living for more than a decade. Individuals have adjusted to the local cultures and traditions. Not only have they observed the respect for dress code and enjoy food, but they have also taken an interest in local sports. Besides that, the UAE government has also embraced sports of other countries, engaging expats with greater enthusiasm. Various sports matches happen on local and national level such as; badminton, cycling and basketball.

The UAE government has made all sports facilities accessible to everyone. These sports are affordable for the public. They can increase their physical activities while maintaining fitness. However, the community parks and cycling tracks are made for all ages in the local areas of the Emirates. Moreover, sports also heal people from different diseases, such as; diabetes and obesity. Therefore, the UAE government has also focused on fitness centres and other amateur sports.

The UAE offers many sports activities from conventional to modern games. The diversity in the UAE sports shows the acceptance of sports of other countries:

• Football

It is one of the popular games played in the UAE. Dubai offers a platform for football enthusiasts. They can show their skills in the Dubai Amateur Football League and compete with other international teams. Football is also loved by Arabs like Cricket is loved by mostly South Asians.

• Cricket

People might have their differences and personal opinions about other things, but cricket is popularly discussed among the expats and the locals. Many South Asians have a craze for cricket matches that are played by professionals. However, these individuals also organise cricket matches on weekends so many of them can get a chance to play in cricket tournaments.

• Cycling

Cycling tracks are specially designed for amateur cyclists. Most of them are residents who love to do cycling daily or at least a few days a week. 

• Running

People might not want to run a marathon, but they would love to do some cardio for their health. Running is the best exercise to ensure fitness and health. However, there are marathons, too. Such competitions are optional for amateurs.

• Water Sports

The water sports are adventurous for many people. They would love to kayaking and sailing through the lake. Besides kayaking, individuals also love to do snorkelling and scuba diving to see the amazing sea creatures living underwater.

• Martial Arts

Everyone should know self-defence as it is handy in many situations. Karate, Taekwondo and jiu-jitsu are popular in the UAE. Mostly children are enrolled in martial arts who would then continue to their adult life and win championships later on.

Every sport has its challenges, but if we see all those activities through an amateur lens, we come across many challenges:

• Climate

The UAE weather is humid and hot. The summer temperatures are horrible for any outdoor sports, especially for individuals who want to play football or basketball. For them, running would be very difficult in the extreme heat of the UAE.

• Less Awareness About Sports

People in the UAE hesitate to participate in sports because they are not well-trained. However, if they are given proper information and engaging platforms, they can play amateur sports. Some of them even do not know if facilities like these are near them. Therefore, the government should take initiatives that encourage amateur sportspersons to actively do any kind of sport in the UAE.

• Gender Diversity

Usually, sports are related to men only. The UAE government should work on initiatives that would encourage women to come into sports, whether it is taekwondo or basketball. Gender inclusion should be there so women in sports can also make their dreams come true. There shall be no cultural or social barriers for them. 

• Work-Life Balance

Sports is a good way to have a work-life balance. Flexible timings of playing football, swimming and other sports provide them with a healthy mind. Individuals usually feel happy after doing some sports at the end of the day because it makes their boredom escape from their mundane routine.  

Many people are unaware of the fact that joining any sports impacts their lives positively. People get to make new friends with whom they share more than one interest. Moreover, people doing sports after work also find themselves in a healthy state of mind. They are more open towards others and have better productivity at work. Looking at a broader spectrum, sports also develop communities where people come together and discuss more opportunities to play. As for the health, cardio is helpful for everyone. Any sport that increases your heart rate is healthy. But, you should be careful to do all those activities, especially if you already have diabetes or any problem related to breathing.

The UAE has become a global economic hub. Sports can play a vital role in the UAE’s economic growth. The UAE government should take sports initiatives so athletes from the UAE can participate on an international level. Technology has made a contribution to sports by creating fitness apps. These apps keep people healthy and on track for their goals. For example, the Nike Running app records your laps, and run time and also motivates you to run faster in the future.

The UAE government is making efforts to create better opportunities for people interested in sports. However, it should also work on the social and cultural barriers so that women can also play sports in different emirates, and internationally, if they want to. Amateur sports create a better lifestyle for many individuals in the UAE. If you are living in the UAE, you should take some sport as an activity. For any further help and information our sports lawyers in UAE, can provide you with all the legal assistance and support. We are a Dubai Based Law Firm hiring the top lawyers and legal consultants. Ask The Law – Al Shaiba Advocates and Legal Consultants, is a team of one of the top lawyers in Dubai and UAE.