Active Hub attracted 31,000 participants last year

 The Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s Active Hub programme - which aims to activate the usage of sports facilities in Abu Dhabi schools to benefit both male and female students, their families and community members after school hours - has attracted approximately 31,000 students. Last year's participation rate from 2023 saw an increase of 13,000 participants over the year 2022.

The free Active Hub programme achieves its goals by activating school facilities after school hours in cooperation with the Emirates Foundation for School Education. The facilities are equipped for practicing various sports and activities such as football, volleyball, basketball, fitness classes, aerobics, athletics, swimming, water sports, jiu-jitsu, and others, under the supervision of qualified trainers who are proficient in all sports offered by the programme.

His Excellency Suhail Al Arifi, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “Through the implementation of this pioneering programme, we seek to reap many benefits for the local community, most notably improving the physical and mental health of its members, developing social interaction, enhancing the perspective of the importance of healthy living, and promoting heart health, stress relief, as well as other indirect benefits through teaching students and community members the importance of teamwork and cooperation, improving the level of alertness and concentration, and building a more tolerant society for a better future.”

Al Arifi explained that the latest figures indicate that the number of active members reached 19,500, while the satisfaction rate of participants within the programme reached 85%. The Active Hub programme also won the silver award at the Middle East and North Africa Stevie Awards, indicating its clear direction in influencing the lives of community members in the areas of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra for the better.

Active Hub has witnessed participation from various segments of society. The participation rate for females reached 52% and males 48% from various age groups, in addition to 2,000 People of Determination in each of the regions of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council is a regulatory body responsible for developing and organising sports activities in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The Council aims to promote sports in the emirate and encourages citizens and residents to practice sports on a regular basis, as well as developing sports infrastructure, supporting sports clubs, organising sports events and talent development programmes which contribute to strengthening Abu Dhabi’s identity as an international sports hub.