Basketball league
Where: The Pearl School & Yas Mina School
What: Affectionately christened ‘Hoop Dreams’, Abu Dhabi’s new indoor basketball league is men only and still finding its feet. Teams of five (although extra members may sign up) take each other on for leagues lasting eight weeks. These are held on Monday nights between 7.30pm and 10pm, with teams liable to play for the total of an hour each session. The league is only just starting at the moment and will begin proper as soon as enough teams have signed up, so get in fast if you’re interested.
How to join: Sign up at www.duplays.com either as an individual, or, if you’re a team, the captain should sign up all members. The season lasts for eight weeks before restarting, although individuals may join mid-season.
Team registration costs Dhs2,300, individuals pay Dhs320. Email basketball.auh@duplays.com for any queries.
Bowling
Where: Khalifa Bowling Centre & Bowling City, Abu Dhabi Mall
What: ‘The Dude’, Barney Rubble, Fred Flintstone… everyone loves a 10-pin bowler. It’s great fun, anyone can do it and you don’t have to be that fit. Both Khalifa Bowling Centre (KBC) and Bowling City are open to anyone wanting to strike out. That said, if you want to join a league you will have to wait a bit. The Filipino Bowling Club operates out of Khalifa and their league is open to anyone, but doesn’t start up again until September. Abu Dhabi Mall’s Bowling City is also in the process of starting up its own league. However, a special Ramadan bowling competition, open to all individuals, is operated over Ramadan at KBC.
Call 02 403 4648 to sign up.
How to join: If you’re interested in joining the Filipino Bowling League, a team of five and a Dhs60 membership is required, on top of lane rental costs (contact Alvin on 050 699 1907).
Contact Bowling City on 02 644 4771 to put your name down for the forthcoming league.
Futsal league
Where: The Pearl School & Yas Mina School
What: Duplays’ ‘sauna leagues’ offer a welcome break from sitting indoors, but, at the height of summer, football is so scarce that wannabe Ronaldos will jump at the chance of a bit of action. The five-a-side indoor futsal league is something of a relief. It differs from normal five-a-side in that the focus is on skills and the ball is smaller and not as bouncy, but it’s fun and great for budding soccer show-ponies.
How to join: Sign up at www.duplays.com either as an individual, or if you’re a team, the captain should sign up all members. The season lasts for eight weeks before restarting, although individuals may join mid-season.
Team registration costs Dhs2,600; individuals pay Dhs350. Email football.auh@duplays.com for any queries.
Netball league
Where: The Pearl School & Yas Mina School
What: Divided into two leagues – a woman-only seven-a-side league (Sun) and a mixed seven-a-side league (Wed) – neither will start until at least six teams sign up. Each team plays one game per night, lasting for 48 minutes, although there are separate rules for the mixed teams, which require four women and three men on court per side.
How to join: Sign up at www.duplays.com either as an individual, or, if you’re a team, the captain should sign up all members. The season lasts for eight weeks before restarting, although individuals may join mid-season.
Team registration costs Dhs2,600; individuals pay Dhs300. Email netball.auh@duplays.com for any queries.
Pistol shooting
Where: Caracal Shooting Club at the Armed Forces Officers’ Club
What: Hardly a sport for fitness, but well air-conditioned nevertheless. First-timers can get tuition from an in-house expert (this is advisable for anyone wanting to pick up a weapon). The range is automated, with movable targets able to be placed at different distances. There is also a shooting simulator for those who don’t fancy the smell of gunsmoke.
How to join: Call 02 441 6404 to arrange a shooting session. It costs Dhs175 for both gun and lane rental, plus Dhs100 for 50 nine-millimetre bullets and any additional reloads.
Best of the rest
Squash: Squash lessons at Abu Dhabi Golf Club cost Dhs100 per person. Those good enough may also join the league, but you have to prove your skills first. The league is split into two divisions, but doesn’t start up again until September. In the meantime, it won’t hurt to put a bit of practice in.
Call 02 558 8990 for information.
Ice skating: Ice skating lessons are available throughout the summer at the Olympic-sized Abu Dhabi Ice Rink, or you can just go along and ‘teach’ yourself.
Contact 02 444 8458 for lessons.
