Football
The International Football Academy (IFA) coaching programme (www.ifasport.com) — which is back for its fourth season at Dubai Sports World — is delivered by English FA and Uefa-qualified coaches under the supervision of ex-Premier League player Dale Gordon. The daily sessions will focus on technical drills and competitive games and the academy will also run adult men’s and women’s leagues.
In addition, two-time African Footballer of the Year Frederic Kanoute will again be present with his Kafo Academy (www.kafoacademy.com). After a trophy-laden career at some of Europe’s leading clubs, two-time African Footballer of the Year Kanoute has turned his attentions to the next generation of stars. His Kafo Academy offers youngsters the chance to learn skills under the supervision of a team of highly-qualified and experienced coaches. Kanoute himself pops in to coach players on key aspects of the game including passing, ball manipulation, turning, shooting and dribbling, as well as positioning, possession and phases of play.
Match Sport Academy (www.facebook.com/MatchsportME), which is new to Dubai Sports World, is run by Club 5 and has the successful Juventus academy under its belt. Suitable for beginners as well as older, more experienced players, the focus of Match Sport is on enhancing technique, overall skill, developing social interactions and, above all, enjoying the game.
Tennis
Tennis 360 (www.tennisthreesixty.com) aims to provide a focused and meaningful programme for all, based on the philosophy to create ‘first the athlete, then the player’. The academy looks at fundamental movement skills, teaching tennis-specific skills, mental conditioning, nutrition and creating a love for the game. The various tennis programmes on offer this summer include a camp for five to 13-year-olds, a ‘mini smashers’ programme for five to eight-year-olds, a ‘hotshots’ event for nine to 12-year-olds and a private or semi-private daily clinic for children and adults. In addition, there are corporate cardio tennis clinics for all age groups.
Cricket
Former First Class player Gopal Jasapara’s G Force Cricket Academy (www.gforcecricketacademy.com) offers lessons to improve form and develop the mental and physical attributes required for competitive cricket. Also included will be a schedule of professional coaching clinics, tournaments and celebrity sessions. Alternatively, players can join the indoor summer tournament to play a minimum of five matches in eight-player teams. Awards for the best batsman, bowler and player of the tournament will be up for grabs.
Basketball
The IFA Basketball Academy (www.ifasport.com) aims to develop and enhance individual skills including shooting and dribbling, passing and team play, plus tactical knowledge of offence and defence. The sessions will be run by Ishmael Awange, a Kenyan who played professionally in the US and China.
Other sports
Rage Indoor Skate Park — a purpose-built indoor skate park at Dubai Sports World — aims to be a paradise for skateboarders and BMX riders. The park features an array of rails, grind boxes and ramps. Open throughout summer, it will host the Middle East’s most talented skateboarders and BMX riders, with experts offering lessons for beginners and intermediates. Rage will also be running competitions throughout the season.
The Against GraviTi Parkour and Street Workout bids to get people’s bodies moving, using nothing more than their own weight for resistance. The facility at Dubai Sports World gives individuals a chance to challenge themselves with the increasingly popular form of exercise known as callisthenics. In addition to the open playground, enthusiasts can join one of the group classes. (www.dubaisportsworld.ae)
