
Abu Dhabi kicks off summer with action-packed sports events
6 June 2025 01:27
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi is hosting an exciting array of sporting activities in June, involving families, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts of all ages.Combat sports, community runs, and strategy games like chess are just a few of the exciting events scheduled in the city's calendar.Here is a lineup of major sporting events coming up this month:
Abu Dhabi Summer Sports 2025 Hosted at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from June 5 until August 21, the event provides the biggest indoor sports facility in the area. Football, basketball, badminton, padel, cycling, and even a special indoor jogging track are all available to guests in a completely air-conditioned setting. The vibrant destination promotes an active and healthy lifestyle, particularly during the summer months.
UAE Warriors 59 and 60The high-octane combat sport brings together top fighters from around the world who will compete in back-to-back mixed martial arts events. The event will take place from June 12 to 13 at Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Chess TournamentsThe 33rd Abu Dhabi Chess Club Amateur Chess Tournament, from June 9 to 12; the Abu Dhabi Chess Club Cup 2025 on June 30; and the Women's Chess Cup 2025 on June 30 are three renowned competitions that the Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games will host for those who are into challenges that test their focus and strategic thinking. By giving both seasoned players and up-and-coming talent a stage, these tournaments hope to draw chess enthusiasts from across the UAE and beyond.
Running Competitions and Yoga The Formula Run 2025 at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi on June 15 will feature different distance categories for runners of all ages. The Abu Dhabi Summer Family Run, held at ADNEC on June 18, promotes family exercise in a lighthearted and encouraging setting.Meanwhile, the National Rehabilitation Center Run, which will take place on June 29 at Yas Mall, blends athleticism with health consciousness.
Additionally, ADNEC will celebrate International Day of Yoga on June 21 with a communal yoga session, which focuses on mental and physical health.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Sharjah 24
5 days ago
- Sharjah 24
UAE President: Sports key to national development
Sports as a cornerstone of national vision Honouring chess grandmaster Rouda Al Serkal These remarks came during a reception at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, where His Highness met with Rouda Essa Al Serkal, a member of the UAE national chess team and Abu Dhabi Chess Club & Mind Games. The meeting celebrated her recent victory at the Arab Chess Championship, where she earned the title of Grandmaster—becoming the first Emirati woman to do so—and qualified for the Chess World Cup finals. Presidential praise and encouragement His Highness congratulated Rouda Al Serkal on her historic achievement, calling it a valuable addition to the UAE's growing list of accomplishments in chess. He wished her continued success in the World Cup and commended her determination and perseverance from a young age. Rouda Al Serkal's appreciation Rouda Al Serkal expressed her joy at meeting His Highness and her gratitude for the support and encouragement she has received throughout her journey. She underscored that this backing has been pivotal to her success and said she is proud to represent Emirati women as the first to earn the Grandmaster title—an outcome she attributed to the leadership's ongoing efforts to empower women in all fields.


The National
5 days ago
- The National
President Sheikh Mohamed meets Emirati chess prodigy Rouda Essa Alserkal
President Sheikh Mohamed met UAE's first woman grandmaster Rouda Essa Alserkal, providing further encouragement to the fast-rising teenager who has made giant strides in the world of chess. Sheikh Mohamed met Rouda, 15, during a reception at Qasr al Bahr in Abu Dhabi. There, the UAE leader 'reaffirmed the country's commitment to supporting young Emirati sporting talents, developing their skills and capabilities, and harnessing all available resources to empower them to achieve sporting excellence at regional and international levels', WAM reported. Rouda, a product of the Abu Dhabi Chess Club, rose to prominence last year when she became the first Emirati woman grandmaster at the Arab Women's Championship in Sharjah. That success resulted in an invitation to the prestigious Norway Chess Open, where Rouda represented the UAE in a competition that featured the top chess players from across the world. There, Rouda concluded her maiden appearance at the competition by winning three consecutive games. Rouda, who turns 16 next month, endured a tough start to the tournament but found form from round seven, when she notched her first win against Norway's Sigur H. Myny. She carried the momentum, scoring her second consecutive win late last month against Italian Mauro Pivi, and capped her campaign earlier this month with victory over France's Franck Gouanelle. She finished with three wins, two draws and four losses. 'It was a learning experience more than anything else,' Alserkal said. 'And I'm proud I stayed with it. Ending with three wins felt really special – I feel like I'm still leaving stronger than I arrived although I could have done much better.' The teenager, who is aiming for the main Grandmaster title in the coming years, said she will learn from her mistakes. 'I was honestly hoping to gain around 100 rating points,' Rouda said. 'Most of the rounds I lost, I was either winning or had a clear advantage but lost my way in the end. That's what frustrated me the most.' Tournament founder Kjell Madland lauded her fighting spirit. 'It is exactly this kind of story that reinforces Norway Chess as a truly global platform. To have young talents like Rouda travel all the way from the UAE to compete at this level adds richness and reach to what we're building here,' he said.


Al Etihad
5 days ago
- Al Etihad
UAE President: Supporting sports sector key pillar of nation's development vision
16 June 2025 14:28 ABU DHABI (WAM)UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has reaffirmed the country's commitment to supporting young Emirati sporting talents, developing their skills and capabilities, and harnessing all available resources to empower them to achieve sporting excellence at regional and international Highness noted that advancing the sports sector is a central component of the UAE's broader development vision, both now and in the Highness made these remarks during a reception at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, where he met with Rouda Essa Al Serkal, a member of the UAE national chess team and Abu Dhabi Chess Club & Mind meeting marked her recent triumph at the Arab Chess Championship, where she secured the title of Grandmaster – the first Emirati woman to earn this prestigious international designation – and her qualification for the Chess World Cup Highness the President congratulated Rouda Al Serkal on this remarkable achievement, describing it as a valuable addition to the UAE's record of accomplishments in chess. His Highness wished her continued success in her upcoming participation in the World Cup and praised the determination and perseverance she has demonstrated since an early her part, Rouda Al Serkal expressed her joy at meeting His Highness and conveyed her gratitude for the support and encouragement she has highlighted the significant role this backing has played in her journey, adding that she is proud to be the first Emirati woman to earn the title of Grandmaster, a milestone that reflects the leadership's vision to empower Emirati women and enable them to realise their ambitions across all fields.