An oasis to quench thirst for sport

Abu Dhabi: The Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club (AAESGC) is not only a sports club, but more of a complete sports complex and haven for expatriates to practise some off-beat sport and games in a safe, healthy and family atmosphere in the garden city of Al Ain.

"One of our main objectives is to provide a comfortable atmosphere for the expatriates to practise some of the games and sport which are popular in their countries and not here like golf and rugby," Mohammad Rashid Al Nasiri, the General Manager of the AAESGC, told Gulf News.

"Of course, we cater for the locals and we are proud that some of our youngsters have shown great interest in these games and have actually shown potential in golf and rugby."

"The AAESGC was found as the Al Ain Equestrian Club. In 2000, the Late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, then the President, appointed Shaikh Mohammad Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, to head the management to improve the club to became an attraction to the locals, expatriates and tourists and it became the Palm Resort till 2010 when it became the AAESGC and it has four clubs and facilities to practise shooting, rugby, golf and equestrian in addition to tennis, swimming and diving.

Modern facilities

"Each of rugby, shooting, equestrian and golf has its own clubhouse, restaurant and other necessary and modern facilities in addition to academies to teach the youngsters and new players the basics of the different sports.

"The AAESGC extends on 2.2 million square metres and there is still space for more clubs for other sports if we find enough members to practise it in our quest to become one of the main tourists attractions in the UAE." Al Nasiri added.

"We are grateful and thankful for the continuous support from the President, the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, who are keen to see the AAESGC achieving great success and progress in the near future.

"We are really proud of the success we achieved in the international and local tournaments we organised in equestrian and shooting and we will host the ISSF World Cup Final Shotgun Event in September for the best 60 shooters from all over the world in addition to the UAE's best shooters. It is a record to host such a big event within less than a year from our establishment," Al Nasiri concluded.

Platinum Membership fees

Junior Category: Dh900 (Equestrian); Dh900 (Shooting); Dh2,500 (Golf); 1,800 (Golf Academy); 900 (Rugby)

Single Category: Dh900 (Equestrian); 1,800 (Shooting); 9,000 (Golf); 4,100 (Golf Academy); 2,200 (Rugby)

Family Category: Dh3,600 (Equestrian); 3,600 (Shooting); 15,000 (Golf); 6,300 Golf Academy); 3,500 (Rugby)