For basketball fans in the UAE, it doesn’t get any bigger than the NBA.
The announcement of a multi-year partnership between the American basketball league and the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi brought joy to many fans in the UAE. The first games as part of the new deal will pit the 2021 NBA champions Milwaukee Bucks against the Atlanta Hawks in two pre-season ties at Etihad Arena on Yas Island this week.
John Gil Aposaga, 26, from Bacolod City, Philippines, has been a fan of the NBA since he was 12, when he would watch French basketball star Tony Parker play for the San Antonio Spurs. These days, he enjoys watching Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets, citing Irving's ball control and mentality on the court.
Aposaga is also a point guard like Irving and Parker. He plays for Team Tambay in an amateur league in Abu Dhabi almost every day after work.
“I started playing basketball when I was 8 years old,” he says. “The NBA is the most famous league in the world, especially in the Philippines.”
When he first heard that the league was coming, he was excited for the opportunity to see some of his favourite players, although he won't be able to make the NBA games this time around. “Thank you for the opportunity to hold games here in UAE. Please continue a world tour like this,” says Aposaga. “Many people can't afford to go to the US and watch the NBA live. It's a dream come true to those ballers out there.”
Meanwhile, Dubai resident Harry Constantino, 31, who is from Pagadian City, Philippines, shares the same enthusiasm.
“In the Philippines, we love basketball. We watch everything from our local leagues to international pro leagues,” he says. “I was hooked to the NBA when I saw Kobe Bryant playing.”
Like Aposaga, he continues playing the sport when he has free time, often joining Filipino and invitation leagues, playing as a shooting guard or forward depending on what a team needs. He says he is already impressed with the partnership between the two sides.
“They are doing a really great job. They are bringing the players here that we look up to,” he says. “From what I see, even before [the deal], basketball in the UAE is starting to grow. They are already organising invitational leagues and starting to bring international players into their local leagues as their reinforcements to begin with.
“Bringing the NBA games here will definitely boost basketball’s popularity.”
However, it isn’t only the Philippines that has fans ready to celebrate the NBA in the UAE. Jinshuo Ma, from China, lives and works in Abu Dhabi. He studied Arabic at the University of Sharjah and goes by the Arabic name Khaldun.
With the NBA investing in its brand internationally, including in China, it's not a surprise that Ma is a fan. ESPN has valued NBA China at approximately $5 billion.
Ma says he's been a fan for more than five years with Derrick Rose his favourite player. He also played basketball recreationally in Sharjah for the university team as a point guard.
NBA fandom isn't just centred on male fans. Karen Cano, 26, and her friend Luciana Redi, 25, from Argentina, currently live in Abu Dhabi and were at the opening day of NBA District at Manarat Al Saadiyat, an event that Cano described as “amazing”.
She became a fan during the pandemic, citing family influence, as her three older brothers are followers of the sport. “I was really excited when I heard the news that basketball is coming to Abu Dhabi,” Cano says.
While she a huge fan of the Los Angeles Lakers, her favourite player is Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan.
Zack Rawlings, 36, came to the fan zone with his wife Auriel and young son Colin. The American family have lived in the capital since 2017 and although the time difference makes it difficult to watch games live, Rawlings says that if you have a love for something, you’ll make the effort for it.
Like Cano, he names Jordan as the player that helped him fall in love with the sport. When he heard that the league was coming to Abu Dhabi, he wasted little time in securing a spot for the family.
“Immediately I went on Ticketmaster, looking for tickets. I just searched the web to see if anything was out,” he says. “As soon as I heard about it, I was amped and ready to go. I miss going to the games.”
"This is a great facility they picked out here. How they've got it set up is wonderful, there are things to do for the family and the kids. If anything, if the NBA is coming here, I think they should probably do heavier promotion when they come because they'll get the crowd.. And, we've got a brand new arena. So we're Abu Dhabi ready for them so you know, bring on the teams."
Scroll through the gallery below to see images from NBA District at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi
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Fans arrive at the NBA District under a tunnel walk that celebrates the history of championship rings, banners and jerseys over the past 75 years. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
The family-friendly event is open to fans of all ages. -
A fan takes a photo with former NBA player and coach Isiah Thomas. -
Milwaukee Bucks players MarJon Beauchamp, centre, and Sandro Mamukelashvili, right, visit the NBA District. -
NBA District has various zones for visitors and fans to explore. -
A young fan enjoys one of the video installations. -
Thomas takes to the stage for a small Q&A session with fans. -
Former basketball champion Shaquille O'Neal makes his way to the stage. -
Fans crowd for basketball Hall of Fame players O'Neal and Thomas. -
A basketball covered in Swarovski crystals on display in the 'Infinity Room'. -
There are two half-courts set up inside the NBA District. -
Fans have a chance to win limited-edition Air Jordans. -
There's a small NBA store for visitors to purchase merchandise. -
Fans show off their skills playing 'Pop-A-Shots'. -
A freestyler shows off his balancing skills. -
Freestylers show their skills at the NBA District. -
The arcade space has videogames such as 'NBA 2k', 'NBA Blitz', 'NBA Hoops' and 'Pop-A-Shots'. -
The NBA District is explored by all age groups at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
The Gatorade zone has five different activities on one stand. -
An exhibition about past NBA players is on display.
