Dubai - Football, Equitation & Watersports
The Dubai City’s Favourites – Football, Equitation & Watersports
The United Arab Emirates, and particularly Dubai, spends considerable time on three major sports categories – football, equitation and water sports. Among these football is the most popular, practiced by many and each game followed reverently by the ardent fans. All things equestrian are the second best sporting interest in Dubai, with the ruling family itself participating in many international equestrian events throughout the year. The final category, water sports, is an indulgence rather than a sport, because when you live so close to the sea, how can you resist its allure?
Football
The first sport to become immensely popular in Dubai, football is the city’s passion, life and game. Stadiums such as the Zayed Sports City, which is currently the largest sports complex in the region, encourage many football games between local teams and fans flock to witness the outcome quite frequently. UAE has its own national football team and many Dubai-based companies sponsor their participation in many regional and international competitions.
Schools encourage football as an extra curricular activity and higher education institutes and private companies in Dubai have their own football leagues.
Equestrian Sport
Whether it’s riding lessons or leisurely trotting, equestrian activity is a highlight of life in Dubai. From training a horse to win th Dubai World Cup to teaching a toddler how to balance on horseback, Dubai is a place to encourage everyone to learn to ride a horse like a professional jockey.
The biggest equestrian event in Dubai is the annual Dubai World Cup, which is held under the approval of the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Popular equestrian clubs in Dubai include the Dubai Equestrian Centre, Jebel Ali Equestrian Club and Club Joumana.
Water Sports
Jet ski, wind surf, wakeboard, water ski, surf or dive in and around the Gulf – it’s a great way to enjoy Dubai’s beautiful shoreline. Sailing, yachting and boating are the high-end activities on the list. Snorkeling and scuba diving are popular among tourists, while residents prefer to go aboard a boat and enjoy some fishing.
