Abu Dhabi has announced a free four-week fitness programme to take place in parks around the emirate. Shutterstock
Abu Dhabi has announced a free four-week fitness programme to take place in parks around the emirate. Shutterstock
Abu Dhabi has announced a free four-week fitness programme to take place in parks around the emirate. Shutterstock
Abu Dhabi has announced a free four-week fitness programme to take place in parks around the emirate. Shutterstock

Active Parks: Abu Dhabi launches 380 free fitness classes in urban spaces


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in collaboration with the Department of Community Development, has launched a new initiative aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles through exercise and activity.

Called Active Parks, it will offer 380 free training sessions in 12 public parks and urban spaces across the capital. Starting on Thursday and running until January 26, it is open to anyone aged 15 and older. Classes include DanceFit, RunFit, bootcamps, CrossFit and yoga, and there will be special classes for people of determination as well.

A full schedule of classes is available on the Active Parks website.

The participating parks are Khalifa City Park 3, Sheikha Fatima Park, Dolphin Park, MBZ Park, Al Khaleej Al Arabi park, Electra Park and Al Shamkha Park 4 in Abu Dhabi; Madinat Zayed, Al Ruwais Park 2 and Al Marfa National Park in Al Dhafra Region; and Al Jahili and Al Towayya Parks in Al Ain.

“The Active Parks programme is an inclusive initiative that is open to everyone in the community,” said Talal Mustafa Al Hashemi, executive director of Abu Dhabi Sports Council's Sports Developments Sector.

"The objective is to increase regular exercise by providing structured free-to-attend classes led by a team of qualified coaches.

“We do not want people to feel out of place, or overly conscious, which is why we are rolling out a dedicated schedule of activities to cater to a range of abilities across parks in their own communities."

Mohamed Helal AlBalooshi, executive director of the Strategic Affairs Office at the Department of Community Development, said: "In line with Abu Dhabi’s vision to build and nurture an active community committed to practising sports, DCD and Abu Dhabi Sports Council are actively co-operating to foster an expansive and fully-regulated sports ecosystem across the emirate.

“Our newest collaborative initiative, Active Parks, is a strategic platform which aims to cultivate healthier and happier lifestyles and stronger social communities by encouraging the pursuit of regular fitness regimes in the abundant green spaces in Abu Dhabi’s world-class integrated infrastructure.”

Scroll through the gallery below to see photos from the newly opened Sheikha Fatima Park in Abu Dhabi:

  • A view of the city from Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak park in Khalidiya Abu Dhabi. All images by Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    A view of the city from Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak park in Khalidiya Abu Dhabi. All images by Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Children at the waterpark in the revitalised Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak community park in Khalidiya.
    Children at the waterpark in the revitalised Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak community park in Khalidiya.
  • Elijah Charles, 11, from Canada visits often to skateboard at the recently opened public skate park at Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak park in Khalidiya.
    Elijah Charles, 11, from Canada visits often to skateboard at the recently opened public skate park at Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak park in Khalidiya.
  • Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak park, in the heart of Abu Dhabi city, has a basketball court for residents and visitors to Khalidiya.
    Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak park, in the heart of Abu Dhabi city, has a basketball court for residents and visitors to Khalidiya.
  • An evening stroll at Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak park in Khalidiya.
    An evening stroll at Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak park in Khalidiya.
  • The park is a green oasis in the heart of the city.
    The park is a green oasis in the heart of the city.
  • The skate park at Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak community park in Khalidiya.
    The skate park at Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak community park in Khalidiya.
  • Visitors to the park can get a bite to eat or something to drink at the Sola Restaurant & Cafe.
    Visitors to the park can get a bite to eat or something to drink at the Sola Restaurant & Cafe.
  • Something for those with a sweet tooth at Sola Restaurant & Cafe in Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak park.
    Something for those with a sweet tooth at Sola Restaurant & Cafe in Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak park.
  • Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak park in Khalidiya offers an air of peace in the bustling urban landscape surrounding it.
    Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak park in Khalidiya offers an air of peace in the bustling urban landscape surrounding it.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
SQUAD

Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammed Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Saeed Ahmed, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Muhammed Jumah, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world

New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.

The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.

Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.

“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.

"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."

WHEN TO GO:

September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.

WHERE TO STAY:

Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.

Spec%20sheet
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.7%22%20Retina%20HD%2C%201334%20x%20750%2C%20625%20nits%2C%201400%3A1%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20P3%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EChip%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20A15%20Bionic%2C%206-core%20CPU%2C%204-core%20GPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%2C%20f%2F1.8%2C%205x%20digital%20zoom%2C%20Smart%20HDR%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%2B%40%2024%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full%20HD%2B%40%2030%2F60fps%2C%20HD%2B%40%2030%20fps%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFront%20camera%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7MP%2C%20f%2F2.2%2C%20Smart%20HDR%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%3B%20HD%20video%2B%40%2030fps%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%2015%20hours%20video%2C%2050%20hours%20audio%3B%2050%25%20fast%20charge%20in%2030%20minutes%20with%2020W%20charger%3B%20wireless%20charging%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Touch%20ID%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP67%2C%20dust%2C%20water%20resistant%20up%20to%201m%20for%2030%20minutes%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1%2C849%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dubai World Cup prize money

Group 1 (Purebred Arabian) 2000m Dubai Kahayla Classic - $750,000
Group 2 1,600m(Dirt) Godolphin Mile - $750,000
Group 2 3,200m (Turf) Dubai Gold Cup – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Turf) Al Quoz Sprint – $1,000,000
Group 2 1,900m(Dirt) UAE Derby – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Dirt) Dubai Golden Shaheen – $1,500,000
Group 1 1,800m (Turf) Dubai Turf –  $4,000,000
Group 1 2,410m (Turf) Dubai Sheema Classic – $5,000,000
Group 1 2,000m (Dirt) Dubai World Cup– $12,000,000

Simran

Director Hansal Mehta

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey

Three stars

COMPANY PROFILE

Company: Bidzi

● Started: 2024

● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid

● Based: Dubai, UAE

● Industry: M&A

● Funding size: Bootstrapped

● No of employees: Nine

The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

World Cricket League Division 2

In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.

UAE fixtures

Thursday, February 8 v Kenya; Friday, February v Canada; Sunday, February 11 v Nepal; Monday, February 12 v Oman; Wednesday, February 14 v Namibia; Thursday, February 15 final

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Updated: December 27, 2021, 5:49 AM