Sharjah and the Northern Emirates are set to get their first indoor summer sports arena.

Expo Centre Sharjah will host the debut edition of Sports City on July 5, in partnership with EIDS Sports. Aiming to court enthusiasts with some hard core sporting action throughout the summer vacation period, the 60-day event will be held until September 8 at the halls of Expo Centre Sharjah.

“In the UAE, the summers are known for their harsh and unforgiving heat, forcing the youth to stay indoors. With Sports City, we are changing that by offering them an environment free of climatic vagaries. Parents are guaranteed a safe environment where there will be a slew of sporting activities that can keep their children engaged throughout the vacation period,” said Mr. Sultan Shattaf, Marketing & Business Development Director of Expo Centre Sharjah.

At Sports City, a fully climate-controlled environment will help children of all ages enjoy playing their favourite sports during the full vacation period. Facilities include soccer fields, tracks, courts, pitches, tourneys, fitness centres, services of coaches and trainers.

Shattaf added, “Expo Centre Sharjah is proud to partner with EIDS Sports Company to provide the most exciting athletic, recreation and fitness facility for the youth who can indulge in their favourite sporting activity without dealing with the searing heat or dust storms outside.”

Apart from a wide range of activities for all age groups of children, Sports City would not let parents sit idle; there will be enough activities that can keep them engaged within the arena. Apart from individual participation, Sport City is open to groups, clubs, associations, corporates and other entities who seek to take advantage of such a unique facility in the region.

Mr. Majid Bashir, CEO of EIDS Sports, said, “Sedentary lifestyle leads to deadly epidemics like Obesity, Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease and many kinds of Cancer. And yet, large sections of our society are unable to develop active lifestyle habits. Sports City is an initiative that aims to activate our communities and help develop healthy lifestyle habits. Research has shown that it takes an average of 66 days to develop a new habit – we are hoping that 60 days of Sports City will help kick-start an active lifestyle for participants.”

“Besides being a fantastic way to improve one’s athletic performance, fitness and health, sport is a great learning experience and a universal language that brings people together. With the Sports City, we aim to bring the multitude of nationalities residing in the UAE together in a uniquely constructive way,” added Mr. Majid Bashir, CEO of EIDS Sports.

Spread across 6000 square metres, the Sports City at Expo Centre will have multiple tracks, fields and courts for nearly two dozen sporting activities that include football, cricket, basketball, volleyball, rugby, tennis, badminton, squash, skate-board, table tennis, fitness centre, racing track and other athletic programmes.

The Sports City will be open from 11 am to 11 pm daily and on Fridays from 2 pm to 11 pm.