Latest news with #Olympic-style
New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
A greedy BWF is pushing its shuttlers
ELITE sports is no longer about competition. It's about consumption. And the athletes? They're just the product. In a world where TV rights, sponsorship deals and bloated global calendars rule the roost, it's becoming painfully clear, nobody is protecting the athletes. Not really. This week alone has delivered two glaring reminders. The Badminton World Federation (BWF), in a sweeping revamp, wants to stretch its Super 1000 tournaments, including the Malaysia Open from six days to 11 starting in 2027. An Olympic-style group stage for singles players is also on the table. The idea, they say, is to boost fan engagement and player welfare. Sounds lovely. But read between the lines, it's all about one thing - money. More days mean more ticket sales. More exposure means bigger ad revenue. And longer tournaments to keep broadcasters happy. Whether the athletes themselves can stay healthy is secondary. Even former world champion Aaron Chia, who usually plays it safe with his words, expressed cautious optimism. Yes, the extra prize money is welcome, but as he rightly pointed out: "We haven't tried it yet, so let's see." That's athlete-speak for: This could be a disaster. Here's the kicker. The BWF isn't just extending tournaments, it's clamping down on player freedom. The top 10 ranked pairs and top 15 singles players must play in all four Super 1000 events — the Malaysia Open, All England, Indonesia Open and China Open — as well as all six Super 750 tournaments and at least two of the nine Super 500 events each season. That's 12 mandatory tournaments a year. Miss one? You're slapped with a US$5,000 fine. And that's just the Tour. Players also have to squeeze in the continental championships, World Championships, the World Tour Finals, Sudirman Cup, Thomas or Uber Cup and the Olympics, depending on the year. In all, a top shuttler plays around 15-20 tournaments in a year. So much for improving "player welfare". Across the globe, footballers are caught in a similar bind — trapped by a relentless calendar designed for one thing — maximum profit. The Club World Cup, FIFA's latest cash cow, features 32 teams. Matches have kicked off in the United States, barely a month after some players ended their seasons. For context, a single campaign for a top English team includes the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League. And by the time the Club World Cup wraps up on July 13, many stars will have just 24 days before the madness of the 2025-26 season begins. FIFPRO, the global players' union, has had enough. Backed by 70 medical experts, they've released a damning study recommending 12 safeguards, including a four-week off-season, a mid-season break, and workload limits for under-18s. And still, nothing changes. FIFA insists the Club World Cup "hasn't caused" fixture congestion Really? Tell that to Manchester City's Rodri, who was sidelined for eight months with ACL and meniscus injuries. Or to the Seattle Sounders, who turned up for training wearing shirts that read: "Club World Ca$h Grab". The suits say it's about growing the game. What it's really about is growing the bank account. And who gets left behind? The very people who make the product marketable — the athletes. The ones who run, sweat, collapse, bleed and break. The ones with shredded hamstrings, worn-out joints and mental scars no doctor can fix. But as long as they keep showing up, no one cares. This obsession with expansion has turned professional sports into a circus. One that never stops moving. No rest. No recovery. Just go, go, go. You've got footballers playing 70 matches a season. Tennis stars juggling ATP, WTA, Grand Slams, Laver Cup and the Olympics. Cricketers hopping from Tests to T20s to franchise leagues across continents. And now, badminton players are being lined up for the same treatment — marathon events, overloaded calendars, mandatory appearances. And financial penalties for skipping them. What happens when they burn out? When the knees give in? When the mental fatigue becomes too much? Well, that's someone else's problem. Organisers will simply move on to the next marketable name. The machine doesn't stop, it just reloads. Let's be absolutely clear, sports needs structure. It needs calendar stability. It needs to grow. But not like this. Because what we're seeing isn't growth — it's greed. A mad dash for global domination where players are reduced to content creators in jerseys, made to dance for fans and financiers, while their health — physical and mental — is traded for metrics. It's high time we said it out loud: modern sports is failing its athletes. And if the governing bodies won't act, don't be surprised when more players speak out. Or worse, walk away. Because when the games keep getting bigger, but the humans playing them are pushed to breaking point, we need to ask: Is this really the future we want? Or are we just watching greatness die, one tournament at a time?
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Enhanced Games push PEDs and target world records in Olympic sports. But what cost?
The first global sports body to push back against Enhanced Games is World Aquatics, which passed a rule banning any swimmer who supports the Enhanced Games from representing their country again. (Maddie Meyer / Getty Images) "The Future of Sports Is Here: We are on a mission to redefine superhumanity through science, innovation and sports." An unabashedly ambitious goal, or at least choice of words. Yet "redefining superhumanity" isn't enough for the Enhanced Games, a start-up that plans to hold an Olympic-style competition next year in Las Vegas. Advertisement The venture also seeks to "reinvent sports with science." Translation: Not just allow performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), not just encourage their use, but celebrate their use. Or, in the juice-flecked hyperbole of Enhanced Games copywriters, "We are pioneering a new era in athletic competition that embraces scientific advancements to push the boundaries of human performance." Breaking a world record in track or swimming sprint events will trigger a $1 million payout to the athlete, one of several performance bonuses promised by Enhanced. Where will the money come from? Investors reportedly include conservative billionaire Peter Thiel, Saudi prince Khaled bin Alwaleed Al Saud, and Donald Trump Jr. From the audacity of the message to the deep pockets funding the venture to the athletes tempted by the prospect of making big money and setting world records, the Enhanced Games are worth a closer look. Advertisement Read more: L.A. Olympic organizers confident they will cover estimated $7.1 billion cost of Games Why are the Enhanced Games in the news? World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president Witold Banka sounded an alarm last week at a meeting of Summer Olympics sports leaders, warning that the Enhanced Games pose a threat to all that's hallowed and decent in global sport. "This initiative seeks to normalize the use of potentially dangerous drugs," Banka said. "For the sake of athlete health and the purity of sport, of course, it must be stopped. "As the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles approach, we cannot allow what should be a celebration of honest sporting endeavor to be overshadowed by this cynical attempt to undermine clean sport. We will urge the U.S. authorities to find legal ways to block this initiative.' Witold Banka, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), attends a press conference at the 2024 Summer Olympics on July 25, 2024, in Paris. (Michel Euler / Associated Press) Banka's warning prompted eye-rolling in some quarters. The Senate committee on Consumer Protection, Technology and Data Privacy will hold a hearing Tuesday titled 'WADA Shame: Swimming in Denial Over Chinese Doping.' Advertisement WADA refused to investigate claims of 23 Chinese swimmers testing positive for a PED before the Tokyo Olympics. With the LA Games in 2028 and Salt Lake City Games in 2034 looming, the Senate committee also plans to address claims that inconsistent enforcement by WADA has resulted in unfair competitions impacting American athletes. USADA chief executive Travis Tygart accused Banka of mentioning the Enhanced Games to distract from the upcoming Senate hearing, telling the Associated Press, "Banka's indignation equals his misinformation or ignorance about how free democratic societies and markets work.' Read more: Lopez: Three years away from the Olympics, L.A. is tripping over hurdles and trying to play catchup That doesn't mean Tygart is A-OK with an endeavor that encourages the use of PEDs and the resulting tainted accomplishments. Advertisement "As we have repeatedly said, for all of the obvious reasons, the Enhanced Games or any other open competition is a bad idea," Tygart said in comments emailed to Agence France-Presse. 'If he really wants to ask U.S. authorities to do something, he should show up and ask the Senate to do something." The first global sports body to push back is World Aquatics, which passed a rule two weeks ago that bans any swimmer who supports the Enhanced Games — even if they've never competed — from representing their country again. Former Olympic athlete Michael Phelps, (from left) Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, and former Olympic athlete Allison Schmitt are sworn in during an Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill on June 25, 2024. (Nathan Howard / Getty Images) The rule applies to those who 'support, endorse, or participate in sporting events that embrace the use of scientific advancements or other practices that may include prohibited substances and/or prohibited methods,' a World Aquatics statement said. When and where will the Enhanced Games take place? The Enhanced Games will take aim at world records in swimming, weightlifting and track at Resorts World in Las Vegas on Memorial Day Weekend, 2026. Advertisement Scheduled swimming events are the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle, and the 50-meter and 100-meter butterfly. Weightlifting will include the snatch and the clean & jerk. Track events will include the 100-meter dash and the 110-meter hurdles. Chef Ray Garcia's restaurant, ¡Viva!, located inside the Resorts World Las Vegas on Thursday, June 24, 2021. (Mariah Tauger/Los Angeles Times) Each event will carry a prize purse of $500,000, with $250,000 awarded to each winner. In addition, bonuses will be paid for world records, including $1 million for records in the 100-meter sprint and 50-meter freestyle, which the Enhanced Games website describes as "the two definitive tests of raw human speed." The Enhanced Games will take place within the resort. The competition complex features a four-lane pool, a six-lane sprint track and a weightlifting stage. Advertisement Read more: Rams players and coaches like the idea of competing in flag football at L.A. Olympics Who came up with this and why? The founder and president of the Enhanced Games is Aron D'Souza, an Australian entrepreneur. D'Souza has been on a crusade to create an alternative to the Olympic Games, which he believes don't compensate athletes fairly. He advocates for the use of PEDs, arguing that athletes should have the freedom to make choices about their own bodies and that WADA acts as an "anti-science police force" for the International Olympic Committee. Previously, D'Souza led Thiel's litigation against Gawker Media involving the wrestler Hulk Hogan, which resulted in one of the largest invasion of privacy judgments in history, and is the subject of the book "Conspiracy" by author Ryan Holiday. Advertisement D'Souza is the founder of Sargon, a technology infrastructure company in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. He sold his stake in the company in 2018. (L-R) Amy Chua and Peter Thiel attend Inauguration Eve hosted by Uber, X and The Free Press at Cafe Riggs on January 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Leigh Vogel / Getty Images for Uber, X and The Free Press) The extent to which billionaire investors, such as Thiel, Alwaleed Al Saud and Trump Jr., will fund the Enhanced Games is unclear. Money isn't a problem, if statements on the event's website are believed: "We are backed by some of the world's most successful venture capitalists, allowing us to operate independently without government and taxpayer funding." D'Souza told the Associated Press that Trump Jr.'s group, called 1789 Capital, is bringing 'double digit millions' to the Enhanced Games. Trump Jr. made a video trumpeting his partnership, that includes an appearance by his father, President Trump. Advertisement Trump Jr., in a statement accompanying the announcement of the funding, said: 'This is about excellence, innovation, and American dominance on the world stage — something the MAGA movement is all about.' D'Souza is thrilled by the backing of America's first family and other moneyed interests. 'To know that some of the most significant figures in American social and political life support the Enhanced Games is more important to us than any investment,' he said on a video call in February. 'I've had the great fortune of working alongside many members of the administration and other prominent figures of the Trump movement over the years, so it's a very natural fit.' D'Souza and his team express lofty goals beyond juicing athletes, setting records and paying race winners. Last week, D'Souza posted as much on LinkedIn: Advertisement "This isn't just about enhancement. It's about economic freedom. About athletes having a choice. About breaking the monopoly that old institutions hold over human performance. "At the Enhanced Games, we are unapologetic: We're not backing down. We will fight — in the courts, in the public square, and in the arena of ideas — for every athlete who's been silenced, underpaid, or discarded." Read more: Congressional leaders call for streamlined visa process ahead of World Cup, L.A. Olympics Why are performance-enhancing drugs forbidden anyway? The list of health risks associated with taking anabolic steroids — which have no medical use approved by the U.S. government — is long and frightening: Advertisement Men may see their breasts and prostate gland grow and their testicles shrink. Women may get a deeper voice, grow body hair and lose hair on their head. Both men and women might tear tendons or develop liver tumors, severe acne, elevated blood pressure, heart problems, issues with anger and depression. The Enhanced Games say the competition will be under the supervision of a medical team, but by the time the games begin, damage from taking PEDs may have already developed. "Protecting athletes is our top priority," the Enhanced Games website proclaims. "Every competitor will undergo rigorous, state-of-the-art medical profiling before participating in the competition." How has the global sports community reacted? The first athlete to show results from using the Enhanced Games PEDs regimen is Kristian Gkolomeev, a Greek swimmer who never medaled in four Olympics. Advertisement In February, Gkolomeev swam two-hundredths of a second faster than the 50-meter freestyle world record with a time of 20.89. He wore an inline full-body open water suit that is prohibited by World Aquatics. "I'm kind of like the driver in the car, but I need the team behind me," Gkolomeev said during an Enhanced Games promotional event last month in Las Vegas. Greece's Kristian Gkolomeev competes in the Swimming Men's 50m Freestyle Semifinal 1 during the LEN European Aquatics Championships, at the Milan Gale Muskatirovic sports centre in Belgrade, on June 22, 2024. (Andrej Isakovic / AFP via Getty Images) Many believe that breaking records under the influence of PEDs is meaningless. Paul Ifrim, a Romanian Luger who finished 20th at the 2010 Winter Olympics, responded to D'Souza's LinkedIn post with this comment: "I earned my place at the Olympics through hard, clean work and unwavering dedication over the course of many years. Integrity, fair play, respect, and perseverance are what inspire and shape true athletes. Your argument for 'enhancing' drugs, viewed as 'athlete compensation,' is a disgrace to those principles. Advertisement "What message are we sending young, aspiring athletes? That cheating and cutting corners is a valid path to success? These are pathetic excuses for undermining the true spirit of competition. You're delusional for promoting this agenda. True athletes rise through grit and honor, not shortcuts and hypocrisy." Tygart, the CEO of USADA, had a similar reaction: "While those behind the Enhanced Games might be looking to make a quick buck, that profit would come at the expense of kids across the world thinking they need to dope to chase their dreams. We desperately wish this investment was being made in the athletes who are currently training and competing the real and safe way. "They are the role models this world so desperately needs and they are the ones who deserve our support — not some dangerous clown show that puts profit over principle.' A counterpoint was published last summer by anti-doping expert Michael Ashenden, who helped create the athlete blood passport system and develop a test for the blood-boosting drug Erythropoietin (EPO). Advertisement Initially opposed to the Enhanced Games, Ashenden changed his mind, writing that the failures of WADA to combat doping in the Olympics make an alternative viable. "Today I advocate for the concept of an Enhanced Games to co-exist with the Olympic Movement, provided their athletes do nothing illegal," Ashenden wrote. 'I realized that not following the WADA rules was not so radical after all....' "I acknowledge that by offering incentives for record performances, the Enhanced Games are tacitly encouraging the use of performance-enhancing substances. But by offering a gold medal, the Olympic Movement also incentivizes the use of performance-enhancing substances.... "Although it may be a bitter pill for the Olympic Movement, it was foreseeable that the commercialization of sport under their stewardship would create an environment that seeded a corporate disruptor." Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Enhanced Games push PEDs and target world records in Olympic sports. But what cost?
'The Future of Sports Is Here: We are on a mission to redefine superhumanity through science, innovation and sports.' An unabashedly ambitious goal, or at least choice of words. Yet 'redefining superhumanity' isn't enough for the Enhanced Games, a start-up that plans to hold an Olympic-style competition next year in Las Vegas. The venture also seeks to 'reinvent sports with science.' Translation: Not just allow performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), not just encourage their use, but celebrate their use. Or, in the juice-flecked hyperbole of Enhanced Games copywriters, 'We are pioneering a new era in athletic competition that embraces scientific advancements to push the boundaries of human performance.' Breaking a world record in track or swimming sprint events will trigger a $1 million payout to the athlete, one of several performance bonuses promised by Enhanced. Where will the money come from? Investors reportedly include conservative billionaire Peter Thiel, Saudi prince Khaled bin Alwaleed Al Saud, and Donald Trump the audacity of the message to the deep pockets funding the venture to the athletes tempted by the prospect of making big money and setting world records, the Enhanced Games are worth a closer look. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president Witold Banka sounded an alarm last week at a meeting of Summer Olympics sports leaders, warning that the Enhanced Games pose a threat to all that's hallowed and decent in global sport. 'This initiative seeks to normalize the use of potentially dangerous drugs,' Banka said. 'For the sake of athlete health and the purity of sport, of course, it must be stopped. 'As the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles approach, we cannot allow what should be a celebration of honest sporting endeavor to be overshadowed by this cynical attempt to undermine clean sport. We will urge the U.S. authorities to find legal ways to block this initiative.' Banka's warning prompted eye-rolling in some quarters. The Senate committee on Consumer Protection, Technology and Data Privacy will hold a hearing Tuesday titled 'WADA Shame: Swimming in Denial Over Chinese Doping.' WADA refused to investigate claims of 23 Chinese swimmers testing positive for a PED before the Tokyo Olympics. With the LA Games in 2028 and Salt Lake City Games in 2034 looming, the Senate committee also plans to address claims that inconsistent enforcement by WADA has resulted in unfair competitions impacting American athletes. USADA chief executive Travis Tygart accused Banka of mentioning the Enhanced Games to distract from the upcoming Senate hearing, telling the Associated Press, 'Banka's indignation equals his misinformation or ignorance about how free democratic societies and markets work.' That doesn't mean Tygart is A-OK with an endeavor that encourages the use of PEDs and the resulting tainted accomplishments. 'As we have repeatedly said, for all of the obvious reasons, the Enhanced Games or any other open competition is a bad idea,' Tygart said in comments emailed to Agence France-Presse. 'If he really wants to ask U.S. authorities to do something, he should show up and ask the Senate to do something.' The first global sports body to push back is World Aquatics, which passed a rule two weeks ago that bans any swimmer who supports the Enhanced Games — even if they've never competed — from representing their country again. The rule applies to those who 'support, endorse, or participate in sporting events that embrace the use of scientific advancements or other practices that may include prohibited substances and/or prohibited methods,' a World Aquatics statement said. The Enhanced Games will take aim at world records in swimming, weightlifting and track at Resorts World in Las Vegas on Memorial Day Weekend, 2026. Scheduled swimming events are the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle, and the 50-meter and 100-meter butterfly. Weightlifting will include the snatch and the clean & jerk. Track events will include the 100-meter dash and the 110-meter hurdles. Each event will carry a prize purse of $500,000, with $250,000 awarded to each winner. In addition, bonuses will be paid for world records, including $1 million for records in the 100-meter sprint and 50-meter freestyle, which the Enhanced Games website describes as 'the two definitive tests of raw human speed.' The Enhanced Games will take place within the resort. The competition complex features a four-lane pool, a six-lane sprint track and a weightlifting stage. The founder and president of the Enhanced Games is Aron D'Souza, an Australian entrepreneur. D'Souza has been on a crusade to create an alternative to the Olympic Games, which he believes don't compensate athletes fairly. He advocates for the use of PEDs, arguing that athletes should have the freedom to make choices about their own bodies and that WADA acts as an 'anti-science police force' for the International Olympic Committee. Previously, D'Souza led Thiel's litigation against Gawker Media involving the wrestler Hulk Hogan, which resulted in one of the largest invasion of privacy judgments in history, and is the subject of the book 'Conspiracy' by author Ryan Holiday. D'Souza is the founder of Sargon, a technology infrastructure company in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. He sold his stake in the company in 2018. The extent to which billionaire investors, such as Thiel, Alwaleed Al Saud and Trump Jr., will fund the Enhanced Games is unclear. Money isn't a problem, if statements on the event's website are believed: 'We are backed by some of the world's most successful venture capitalists, allowing us to operate independently without government and taxpayer funding.' D'Souza told the Associated Press that Trump Jr.'s group, called 1789 Capital, is bringing 'double digit millions' to the Enhanced Games. Trump Jr. made a video trumpeting his partnership, that includes an appearance by his father, President Trump. Trump Jr., in a statement accompanying the announcement of the funding, said: 'This is about excellence, innovation, and American dominance on the world stage — something the MAGA movement is all about.' D'Souza is thrilled by the backing of America's first family and other moneyed interests. 'To know that some of the most significant figures in American social and political life support the Enhanced Games is more important to us than any investment,' he said on a video call in February. 'I've had the great fortune of working alongside many members of the administration and other prominent figures of the Trump movement over the years, so it's a very natural fit.' D'Souza and his team express lofty goals beyond juicing athletes, setting records and paying race winners. Last week, D'Souza posted as much on LinkedIn: 'This isn't just about enhancement. It's about economic freedom. About athletes having a choice. About breaking the monopoly that old institutions hold over human performance. 'At the Enhanced Games, we are unapologetic: We're not backing down. We will fight — in the courts, in the public square, and in the arena of ideas — for every athlete who's been silenced, underpaid, or discarded.' The list of health risks associated with taking anabolic steroids — which have no medical use approved by the U.S. government — is long and frightening: Men may see their breasts and prostate gland grow and their testicles shrink. Women may get a deeper voice, grow body hair and lose hair on their head. Both men and women might tear tendons or develop liver tumors, severe acne, elevated blood pressure, heart problems, issues with anger and depression. The Enhanced Games say the competition will be under the supervision of a medical team, but by the time the games begin, damage from taking PEDs may have already developed. 'Protecting athletes is our top priority,' the Enhanced Games website proclaims. 'Every competitor will undergo rigorous, state-of-the-art medical profiling before participating in the competition.' The first athlete to show results from using the Enhanced Games PEDs regimen is Kristian Gkolomeev, a Greek swimmer who never medaled in four Olympics. In February, Gkolomeev swam two-hundredths of a second faster than the 50-meter freestyle world record with a time of 20.89. He wore an inline full-body open water suit that is prohibited by World Aquatics. 'I'm kind of like the driver in the car, but I need the team behind me,' Gkolomeev said during an Enhanced Games promotional event last month in Las Vegas. Many believe that breaking records under the influence of PEDs is meaningless. Paul Ifrim, a Romanian Luger who finished 20th at the 2010 Winter Olympics, responded to D'Souza's LinkedIn post with this comment: 'I earned my place at the Olympics through hard, clean work and unwavering dedication over the course of many years. Integrity, fair play, respect, and perseverance are what inspire and shape true athletes. Your argument for 'enhancing' drugs, viewed as 'athlete compensation,' is a disgrace to those principles. 'What message are we sending young, aspiring athletes? That cheating and cutting corners is a valid path to success? These are pathetic excuses for undermining the true spirit of competition. You're delusional for promoting this agenda. True athletes rise through grit and honor, not shortcuts and hypocrisy.' Tygart, the CEO of USADA, had a similar reaction: 'While those behind the Enhanced Games might be looking to make a quick buck, that profit would come at the expense of kids across the world thinking they need to dope to chase their dreams. We desperately wish this investment was being made in the athletes who are currently training and competing the real and safe way. 'They are the role models this world so desperately needs and they are the ones who deserve our support — not some dangerous clown show that puts profit over principle.' A counterpoint was published last summer by anti-doping expert Michael Ashenden, who helped create the athlete blood passport system and develop a test for the blood-boosting drug Erythropoietin (EPO). Initially opposed to the Enhanced Games, Ashenden changed his mind, writing that the failures of WADA to combat doping in the Olympics make an alternative viable. 'Today I advocate for the concept of an Enhanced Games to co-exist with the Olympic Movement, provided their athletes do nothing illegal,' Ashenden wrote. 'I realized that not following the WADA rules was not so radical after all....' 'I acknowledge that by offering incentives for record performances, the Enhanced Games are tacitly encouraging the use of performance-enhancing substances. But by offering a gold medal, the Olympic Movement also incentivizes the use of performance-enhancing substances.... 'Although it may be a bitter pill for the Olympic Movement, it was foreseeable that the commercialization of sport under their stewardship would create an environment that seeded a corporate disruptor.'
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Abu Dhabi launches region's largest indoor summer sports event : Enjoy football and cricket in AC
Abu Dhabi has launched an initiative to keep residents active without facing the extreme heat. The Abu Dhabi Summer Sports 2025 is back at the ADNEC Centre, offering a massive, fully air-conditioned indoor arena for sports and wellness activities. The event is organized by ADNEC Group in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, this event is the largest of its kind in the region. With over 12 core sports, 50 community events, summer camps, and wellness sessions, it provides a unique mix of health, recreation, and family fun. All in a comfortable indoor setting. The event runs until August 21, Open daily from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., allowing participants plenty of flexibility to engage in activities at their own pace and convenience. Expanded facilities at Abu Dhabi's indoor summer sports event This year's event has grown significantly, spreading across 37,500 square metres which is a 10% increase from previous editions. Among the standout additions is a four-lane, 1.2-kilometre running track. This is double the size of last year's and designed to accommodate runners of all levels. The venue now boasts 52 world-class courts and tracks, providing ample space for football, cricket, basketball, padel, badminton, volleyball, table tennis, and even a dedicated obstacle course. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Fitness enthusiasts can look forward to the HYROX indoor fitness race which is starting on July 19. This international event blends functional workouts with endurance racing. It will attract both elite athletes and casual gym-goers looking for a new challenge. The spacious design ensures a chance for everyone from professionals to beginners to participate with safety and comfort. Summer event's combat sports and family-friendly activities A new addition is the Club Zone. It is a dedicated area focusing on combat and strength-based sports. Visitors can experience sports such as Muay Thai, judo, boxing, archery, and Olympic-style weightlifting.. These zones are designed for both trial sessions and ongoing practice, encouraging skill-building in a safe, supervised environment. The venue will also host 50+ community events across all age groups and fitness summer camps provide a structured, engaging mix of physical activities, arts and crafts, and social development for children. These camps are curated by professional coaches and educators, ensuring children remain active, creative, and entertained throughout the school break. Health and wellness for all age groups The Abu Dhabi Summer Sports event also emphasizes holistic well-being. The venue features dedicated zones for yoga, meditation, recovery therapy, and wellness coaching. These spaces offer mental and physical refreshment in a peaceful and air-conditioned environment. Visitors can also participate in instructor-led group yoga sessions. They can access guided meditation programs, and learn stress-relief techniques from certified professionals. Corporate teams can book group training sessions aimed at boosting morale and encouraging healthier lifestyles among employees. These activities are part of the UAE's Year of the Community initiative which aims to promote fitness,community cohesion and mental wellbeingOn-site food and beverage stalls cater to a variety of dietary preferences. They will offer healthy options and hydration stations. Family-friendly entertainment zones include games and activities to keep children engaged when not participating in organized sports. How to book a spot in the event To streamline the visitor experience, ADNEC Group has launched a dedicated mobile app and website. These platforms allow users to browse activities, schedule sessions, and get real-time updates on events. The process is designed to be smooth and intuitive. Parking is free for all participants, and the central location of ADNEC Centre makes it easily accessible from across Abu Dhabi. The extended operating hours start from early morning until late at night. Whether you're a working professional, student, or parent, there's time in the day to join in. The Abu Dhabi Summer Sports 2025 provides relief from the summer heat and encourages a spirit of unity, community support and wellness through sport. It's a rare opportunity to stay active, stay social, and stay cool all in one place.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Grounds over guns: Tendulkar bats for sports facilities in 50 Bastar villages for CG's kids
Raipur: As Maoist activity sharply declines across Chhattisgarh's tribal heartland, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, in collaboration with CM Vishnu Deo Sai's govt, is launching a bold initiative - constructing playgrounds across 50 villages in the tribal Bastar region. These grounds—once barren land—will host nine sports disciplines, with a strong focus on athletics and Olympic-style training. The project aims to empower over 10,000 tribal youths and foster community development. The nine sports introduced include football, volleyball, kho-kho, long jump, running track with hurdles, shot put, discus throw, slackline, and a jungle gym featuring elements such as pyramid logs, vertical and horizontal ladders, pull-up bars, double bars, flying sloping walls, zig-zag balance/jumping logs, tyre runs, and tyre swings. For most children, this will be their first participation in organised sports competitions. Dantewada District Collector Kunal Dudawat told TOI, "Athleticism among Bastar's youth is high. These sports facilities, funded by the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation (STF), will be a boon. We will have adequate infrastructure in place for the Bastar Olympics. Mann Deshi Foundation is preparing trainers to provide quality coaching." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The administration selected villages where community enthusiasm and support were strongest. At a cost of just Rs 3–3.5 lakh per ground, the initiative is receiving overwhelming public backing, Dudawat added. Once upon a time, young people here used to enjoy cockfights at the weekly 'haat bazar,' but now that scenario is fast changing with the development of sports facilities. Foundation spokesperson Prabhat Sinha noted that this is India's first community-driven movement to build playgrounds for children in rural areas. "Dantewada and Bastar will emerge as hubs for climbing and skateboarding, rather than symbols of Naxalism," he said, underscoring the villagers' contributions. He also thanked Sachin Tendulkar, his wife Anjali, and daughter Sara Tendulkar for their vital support. "Where silence once prevailed, laughter now rings out! Thanks to the Maidan Cup, 50 villages in Dantewada have transformed into playground havens for over 10,000 children to play, grow, and dream. More than just fields, they symbolise a hopeful future—especially for girls, who are now stepping onto the field in greater numbers," according to the STF spokesperson. "Bastar is on the path of change and the end of Naxalism is imminent. Bastar doesn't lack talent—our mission is to identify and promote it," Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai told TOI. He praised govt efforts in education, healthcare, employment, and infrastructure, and highlighted the transformative impact of events like the Bastar Olympics and Pandum festival in uplifting youth. Dantewada's Maidaan Cup, he added, "It isn't just about sports—it's a celebration of youth energy, confidence, and Bastar's cultural identity. "
