• The official NBA Store has opened at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    The official NBA Store has opened at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Player jerseys on display from Western Conference teams.
    Player jerseys on display from Western Conference teams.
  • NBA fans can also buy customised NBA basketballs.
    NBA fans can also buy customised NBA basketballs.
  • Fan apparel including T-shirts and basketball caps are on sale.
    Fan apparel including T-shirts and basketball caps are on sale.
  • The store is open in time for the pre-season games between the Bucks and the Hawks.
    The store is open in time for the pre-season games between the Bucks and the Hawks.
  • Player jerseys from teams in the Eastern Conference.
    Player jerseys from teams in the Eastern Conference.
  • Basketballs on display in the store.
    Basketballs on display in the store.
  • The NBA Store also has its own court.
    The NBA Store also has its own court.
  • Fans of the league will be able to buy a variety of player jerseys.
    Fans of the league will be able to buy a variety of player jerseys.
  • There are also plenty of trainers available from Nike.
    There are also plenty of trainers available from Nike.
  • The shop spans more than 500 square metres.
    The shop spans more than 500 square metres.
  • It is located on the first floor in the centre of Yas Mall.
    It is located on the first floor in the centre of Yas Mall.
  • Basketball caps from different NBA teams.
    Basketball caps from different NBA teams.
  • Player jerseys are also hung on the wall inside the store.
    Player jerseys are also hung on the wall inside the store.
  • This is the first brick-and-mortar NBA Store in the UAE.
    This is the first brick-and-mortar NBA Store in the UAE.

Lifestyle

Official NBA Store opens at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi

The space spans more than 500 square metres and sells a range of basketball merchandise and memorabilia

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau

October 06, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Player jerseys, caps and footwear are some of the items available for basketball fans to buy at the new NBA Store in the capital.

The official outlet, located on the first floor of Yas Mall, spans more than 500 square metres and sells a range of NBA merchandise and memorabilia.

“The opening of the NBA Store in Abu Dhabi in conjunction with our first games there reflects the growing popularity of basketball in the UAE and across the Middle East,” said Steve Griffiths, NBA Europe and Middle East's senior director for global partnerships.

The mall also has special interactive activities for fans until Saturday. This includes an NBA-themed area in the mall’s Town Square courtyard that will display the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy as well as NBA Jam and NBA 2k23 video game kiosks and pop-a-shots, for those who want to try their basketball luck.

The website NBAStoreMe.com will also soon be launched for those who prefer to shop online.

NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi sign multi-year partnership

Last year, the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi signed a multi-year partnership with the NBA to bring games to the region, starting with the pre-season games between the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday and Saturday at Etihad Arena.

In addition to the pre-season games, the partnership will have the two teams together to expand basketball in the UAE and across the region. Junior NBA Leagues for boys and girls will be launched at schools and academies throughout the Emirates, while NBA Fit clinics will encourage and promote health and wellness.

“We’re very proud to have this multiyear partnership and that goes beyond that game," said Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, executive director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi. "We have shared values with the NBA; values of tolerance, diversity, teamwork — all these things reflect our communities in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”

Scroll through the gallery below to see images from NBA District at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi

  • 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
    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.
    The family-friendly event is open to fans of all ages.
  • A fan takes a photo with former NBA player and coach Isiah Thomas.
    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.
    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.
    NBA District has various zones for visitors and fans to explore.
  • A young fan enjoys one of the video installations.
    A young fan enjoys one of the video installations.
  • Thomas takes to the stage for a small Q&A session with fans.
    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.
    Former basketball champion Shaquille O'Neal makes his way to the stage.
  • Fans crowd for basketball Hall of Fame players O'Neal and Thomas.
    Fans crowd for basketball Hall of Fame players O'Neal and Thomas.
  • A basketball covered in Swarovski crystals on display in the 'Infinity Room'.
    A basketball covered in Swarovski crystals on display in the 'Infinity Room'.
  • There are two half-courts set up inside the NBA District.
    There are two half-courts set up inside the NBA District.
  • Fans have a chance to win limited-edition Air Jordans.
    Fans have a chance to win limited-edition Air Jordans.
  • There's a small NBA store for visitors to purchase merchandise.
    There's a small NBA store for visitors to purchase merchandise.
  • Fans show off their skills playing 'Pop-A-Shots'.
    Fans show off their skills playing 'Pop-A-Shots'.
  • A freestyler shows off his balancing skills.
    A freestyler shows off his balancing skills.
  • Freestylers show their skills at the NBA District.
    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 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 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.
    The Gatorade zone has five different activities on one stand.
  • An exhibition about past NBA players is on display.
    An exhibition about past NBA players is on display.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

UAE squad to face Ireland

Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind

The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester

Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)

Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder

Transmission: Continuously variable transmission

Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)

What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
READ MORE ABOUT CORONAVIRUS
RESULTS

6.30pm: Handicap (rated 95-108) US$125,000 2000m (Dirt).
Winner: Don’t Give Up, Gerald Mosse (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).

7.05pm: Handicap (95 ) $160,000 2810m (Turf).
Winner: Los Barbados, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

7.40pm: Handicap (80-89) $60,000 1600m (D).
Winner: Claim The Roses, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.

8.15pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (Div-1) Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D)
Winner: Gold Town, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

8.50pm: Cape Verdi Group 2 $200,000 1600m (T).
Winner: Promising Run, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.

9.25pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D).
Winner: El Chapo, Luke Morris, Fawzi Nass.

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

THE APPRENTICE

Director: Ali Abbasi

Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong

Rating: 3/5

Updated: October 14, 2022, 7:55 AM
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