Dh5 million sports park set to open in Ajman

The first park of its kind in the emirate will have facilities for football, volleyball, basketball, cycling and running tracks, an outdoor gym and more.

Almost finished. The new sports park is designed to get residents and visitors enjoying Ajman’s outdoors. Satish Kumar / The National

AJMAN // A Dh5 million, 40,000 square metre sports park is to open within weeks as authorities step up their campaign to encourage more people to exercise.

The park, the first of its kind in the emirate, will have facilities for football, volleyball, basketball, cycling and running tracks, an outdoor gym and more.

The aim is to get residents fit and to encourage more visitors to Ajman, while making the emirate a bit greener, said Ahmed Saif Al Muhairi, director of Agriculture and Public Parks Administration at Ajman Municipality and Planning Department.

“The municipality started working on the project last year and the work is 80 per cent complete, with the opening expected to be this month.

“The project includes a number of sports facilities such as stadiums for football, volleyball and basketball and also includes a play area for children, a dedicated area for adults, cycling track, a rubber track for jogging, and outdoor gym.”

The park also has lots of trees and green spaces, providing nice areas for families to visit, Mr Al Muhairi said.

Yahya Ibrahim Ahmad, general director of the municipality, said that businesses would be able to invest in the park, which is next to an investment zone and will include restaurants and shops.

“The project will be the largest tourist, social, recreational and family project in the emirate and will increase development and prosperity,” Mr Ahmad said.

Firas Abu Al Raqi, a Jordanian engineer, is looking forward to the park opening.

“I always go to the gym, and the availability of an outdoor gym in the green park will be interesting for me,” said the 26-year-old who has lived in Ajman for seven years.

“It will motivate me to go there, especially in the morning.

“The biggest attraction for me will be the sports stadiums, especially the one for football. I will let my friends who live in other emirates such as UAQ and Sharjah know to come here to play and exercise together.”

Qais Abu Asabeh, 22, a Jordanian civil engineering student, said the park was a great idea.

“I don’t play football and other kinds of sports but I always go to the gym and I am pretty sure that the place will attract plenty of athletes, residents and families, where they can enjoy the nice weather and the green space,” said Mr Abu Asabeh, who has lived in Sharjah for 15 years.