UAE BARQ برق الإمارات – نبضك
Former Italy and Inter Milan goalkeeper Walter Zenga and Brazilian futsal legend Falcao have saluted the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai World Trade Centre for the “amazing” facilities at the Dubai Sports World after visiting the teeming venue, which offers enthusiasts an opportunity to practise and play sports in a secure, safe and air-conditioned facility in the harshest part of the summer.
Housed in DWTC’s Za’abeel Halls 4, 5 and 6 – a 15,000sqm self-contained and exclusive space with a separate parking facility – the 10th edition of Dubai Sports World is hosting pitches and courts catering to eight different sports: football, basketball, cricket, badminton, tennis, volleyball, padel tennis and table tennis.
The halls have been buzzing with activity since the DSW opened its doors just over a month ago, with several top sports academies – the LaLiga Academy, IFA Football Academy, It’s Just Football Academy, Tennis 360, G Force, Professional Sports Academy, PSA, Deepika’s Badminton Academy, Shooting Star, and Champs Ahead to name a few – offering summer training camps to enthusiastic children.
The pitches and courts are also available for group bookings and DWTC has implemented several regulatory protective measures at the venue.
Visitors must check-in online via the DSW App before entry, while key onsite safety amenities and offerings include emergency medical services and regular sanitisation of the facility. Additionally, all DSW entry points are equipped with thermal cameras to screen visitor temperatures with touch-free sanitiser equipment installed across the entire venue.
“It is amazing here because you can see the focus on safety as soon as you enter,” said Zenga, who is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the game, having made 58 appearances for the Italian national team, including the 1990 World Cup at home during which he set the World Cup record of five consecutive clean sheets.
“You get your temperature checked at the main entrance and you have sanitisers and signage everywhere,” added the Italian, who calls Dubai his home with his wife and children based here for 10 years, even as he travels the world sharing his football knowledge.
“Dubai Sports Council have done an amazing job here and provided a great solution to improve football, improve sports and to invite kids to play sports.”
Falcao, the all-time leading goal-scorer in men’s international matches echoed those sentiments. “Dubai Sports World is an amazing place,” he said. “It has so many different sports such as football, tennis basketball and more, and everyone here is committed to applying health guidelines. I am really happy to visit Dubai Sports World and I want to come again.”
