Dubai's Fitness: A Look at Rising Sports Court Rentals

In the evenings, Sikandar Khan and his friends actively participate in physical activities.

As part of their routine, they rent a football court after 10pm to engage in friendly matches among themselves.

Khan emphasized the importance of playing football at least four times a week for their group.

Occasionally, they also invite other teams for more competitive games.

This trend of renting courts on an hourly basis for sports and fitness activities has gained immense popularity in Dubai.

Moreover, with the cost divided among the players, they only end up spending Dh10 to Dh15 per day.

Across various communities, this trend is reshaping the way people engage in physical activities.

Whether it's for a casual game with friends, organised sports events, or fitness classes, these courts help residents keep up with their fitness routine.

We are over 20 cousins and friends who are regular at various sporting arenas in Dubai.

For our practice sessions, we prefer the indoor court at Al Ittihad School in Mamzar. For matches, we rent out an open field, as the temperatures are beyond favourable, said Khan.

It’s not only football. There is a range of sporting facilities that offer various games like basketball, volleyball, badminton, cricket, and more.

Abu Bakr Yaseen, an Egyptian national, has made it a point to indulge in at least 10 games of volleyball every week with his colleagues.

Playing volleyball with my office friends is like a happy adventure filled with laughter, teamwork, and a newfound love for the game.

It's not just a sport for us; it's a way to have fun, connect with each other, and find joy in every game we play together,” said Yaseen.

Yaseen had been a volleyball player since his school days and lost touch with the court due to his busy office schedule.

When I learned that my colleagues are regularly on the court smashing the ball, I had no patience but to join them.

It’s been a year now playing with my Indian, Filipino, and Pakistani colleagues,” said Yaseen.

Similarly, Basit Bafakki, an Indian expat residing in Al Nahda Dubai, rents courts across north Dubai depending on availability.

Our group of four makes it a point that we are on the court in the evening.

We have fierce competition among ourselves which helps us maintain our fitness and shed those extra kilos, said Basit.

It’s not just a game; it becomes an entertainment session with post-game analysis.

It becomes more entertaining during the weekends as we have many of our friends joining us, said Basit.

Fitness classes and training sessions have become increasingly popular.

Trainers and instructors are capitalizing on this trend by offering sessions to interested individuals.

Reyno Reyes, a former badminton player, now trains people for the sport and has noticed a surge in interest among residents following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Reyes receives calls every evening from people wanting to join training sessions and perfect their shots.

Booking platforms and technology have made the process of renting courts more convenient.

Users can easily check availability, book time slots, and make secure payments, eliminating any hassle.

Mohammed, the manager at Cleopatra Sports Academy, has witnessed an increase in outdoor court bookings during the winter and indoor court bookings during the summer.

Even on weekdays, all their courts are fully booked.

For those looking for a budget-friendly option, booking a badminton court starts as low as Dh35 per hour.

Football enthusiasts can enjoy a two-hour slot for Dh250, providing ample time for friendly matches or rigorous training sessions.

Volleyball enthusiasts can secure a court for Dh150 per hour, making it an affordable choice for an active and enjoyable experience.

Basit highlighted that by dividing the cost among the number of players, they spend as low as Dh10 to Dh15 per day.

Source: zawya