Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) has broken ground on a tennis hub within the park to be developed by Hubb Global Group, with an investment exceeding $27.2m (AED100m) and spanning an area of 9,290m2.
Deputy chief executive officer of DSOA, Dr Juma Al Matrooshi, founder and chief executive officer of Hubb Global Group, Anastasia El-Hage, and general manager of Hubb Tennis Club, Laith Alani, laid the foundation stone during the groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction work on the project, Dubai Media Office reported.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Al Matrooshi, said: “DSOA is committed to offer its business partners a conducive environment that allows them to focus on growth locally and globally. Today’s announcement, which follows the recent opening of Hubb’s global headquarters at Dubai Silicon Oasis, displays our commitment to supporting business partners in their endeavors.
In line with the pillar of Cohesive Society and Preserved Identity of the National Agenda of the UAE Vision 2021, this project reflects our keenness to enhance the quality of life for the DSO community through encouraging people to take a positive step towards good health and well-being. The facility will provide international professionals with a base at Dubai Silicon Oasis, where they can practice for tournaments, thereby positioning Dubai as a global hub in new spheres including sport.”
For her part, El-Hage said: “We will aim to host annually more than 81 international and local tournaments at the complex, as well as support athletes of all ages and levels in building their skills and performance. We will also seek to encourage more people in the UAE to play sport and adopt a healthy lifestyle, providing them with a base at Dubai Silicon Oasis to help train and nurture emerging talent while also enabling professional athletes to train at our unrivalled sporting facilities.”
Hubb Tennis Club is scheduled to officially open its doors starting 2021. The tennis club will host tennis tournaments, such as ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors U18, ITF Seniors Tennis Tour, ITF 15K for men and women, ITF West Asia tournaments, Junior Davis Cup, GCC Tournaments, Junior Fed Cup, and Arab Championships under the umbrella of the UAE Tennis Federation.
Sports fans can expect unparalleled facilities, including nine hard tennis courts, as well as a 385 m x 1.5 m jogging track featuring an MAPEI surface. In addition, the highest quality professional lighting (MUSCO) is being installed. MUSCO lighting is in use around the world at leading facilities including at Flushing Meadows, the venue of the US Open in New York, at Wimbledon, as well as at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, the venue of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and at Zayed Sports City Abu Dhabi.
Hubb Tennis Club will also strongly focus on creating educational opportunities for children and adults. As part of this priority, it will comprise tailored tennis schools for tournament officials, schools for tennis coaches, and schools for ball-kids – each of these is to be certified by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
Hubb Tennis Club will take shape in three stages. Stage one will include the construction of nine tennis courts. The club will also have 12 high-level ITF-certified tennis coaches, as well as a physiotherapist and a fitness coach available to visitors/players/members. Stages two and three of the development will include the opening of additional facilities such as three buildings, offices, a players’ lounge, coaches lounge, treatment room, cafe, sports equipment shops, laundry, grocery, free car parking and facilities for other sports such as Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Aerial Gymnastics.
