As the co-founder and owner of the Ahdaaf Sports Club, the 27-year-old Emirati Yousuf Al Hashimi is a man on a mission. An entrepreneur, adventurer and athlete, he’s hoping that his booming business expands at the expense of the UAE’s collective waistlines. The indoor sports facility in Dubai’s Al Quoz has grown quickly since it opened in January 2009.
“Before we started, this was a bag-manufacturing factory,” he says. “We started out with two fields and now we have six – it took time to get the approvals to set up here because it was an unheard-of concept – having an indoor sports facility in the middle of an industrial area – but once we got things moving, it didn’t take long.”
Ahdaaf in Arabic means “goals” or “objectives” – exactly what Al Hashimi sets in both his personal and professional lives. Having graduated in 2007 from university in Canada with a degree in political science, he returned to Dubai with a plan, alongside three business partners, one of whom is his brother.
Initially, they all had other jobs. “About two years ago, it started to plateau, so I said to the guys: ‘Look, someone has to take the leap of faith, leave their job and get into this full time.’ I was the one who came up with the idea, so they all looked at me – I was single, the others all had wives and families, so I just went ahead and, within seven months, it had grown tremendously.”
The office cabinet soon housed plenty of trophies: Ahdaaf was awarded Best Small Business by the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment, Al Hashimi was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012 and, in 2013, Ahdaaf won the Best Emirati Project from the Khalifa Fund.
Ahdaaf has now expanded to Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, with plans for more. “Next stop, Saudi,” Al Hashimi beams – a hadaf that he’ll no doubt achieve before long.
What’s your favourite sport?
To watch? Football. To participate, sailing. I grew up next to the sea – it’s in my blood.
Do you have a favourite destination?
Scotland – I have just returned from there. I love the people, the heritage and the number of things you can do with your time there.
Can you recommend a restaurant?
Special Ostadi in Dubai – it’s one of the oldest established places here and the food is always excellent.
What’s the best piece of advice that you ever received?
“Don’t take no for an answer” – my father told me that.
What’s the last film you enjoyed?
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – a heartwarming story and Ben Stiller is brilliant in it.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Every single day is different. It always presents new challenges and the results are very direct – I get out of it what I put into it and I love being able to get more people active.
What’s in your garage?
A new Porsche 911 Carrera – I’ve always loved the old, air-cooled 964 version, but as soon as I drove this one I knew it was the perfect sports car.
Do you have time for any hobbies?
Not much, but I have been scuba diving since I was in my teens and recently I’ve got into free diving with blue whales. But that’s a story for another day.
What CD is in your player?
I don’t actually have a CD player. But lately I’ve been listening to a lot of reggae – Burning Spear and others.
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