Al Wasl's new stadium will be surrounded by green spaces and sports fields. Photo: Dubai Media Office
Al Wasl's new stadium will be surrounded by green spaces and sports fields. Photo: Dubai Media Office
Al Wasl's new stadium will be surrounded by green spaces and sports fields. Photo: Dubai Media Office
Al Wasl's new stadium will be surrounded by green spaces and sports fields. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Hamdan approves designs for two new football stadiums in Dubai


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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, has approved the design of two new stadiums for Shabab Al Ahli and Al Wasl football clubs.

The new grounds will be built in the Al Rawayyah 3 and Al Jaddaf areas, each with a capacity of 20,000.

The project is aimed at meeting the future needs of the two clubs, as well as widening fanbases and nurturing local talent.

The Shabab Al Ahli stadium has an avant-garde design, which features a circular roof supported by columns – depicting the Moon – and it will be surrounded by green spaces and walking areas.

It also features eco-friendly systems and a design that aims to complement the city's smart requirements.

Shabab Al Ahli's new stadium will feature a circular roof and be surrounded by sprawling green spaces. Photo: Dubai Media Office
Shabab Al Ahli's new stadium will feature a circular roof and be surrounded by sprawling green spaces. Photo: Dubai Media Office

The Al Wasl stadium is also designed with sustainability in mind and will be surrounded by open green spaces, as well as a number of sports fields nearby.

The project aims to contribute to the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, a strategy launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to raise the emirate's profile as a regional and global sporting centre.

"The project demonstrates the dynamic evolution of Dubai's sporting sector and the emirate's dedication to enhancing sporting achievements and widening the fan base," said Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed, chairman of Dubai Sports Council.

"The project aims to bolster Dubai's clubs by enhancing their facilities and stadiums, thereby supporting their development strategies and nurturing local talent."

Sheikh Mansoor said the new stadiums would meet the future needs of the two football clubs, which are "among the largest and most esteemed in both the country and the region".

No details have been announced as to when the projects are expected to be completed or the cost.

However, Mattar Al Tayer, commissioner general of Infrastructure, Urban Planning and Well-being Pillar, and vice chairman of Dubai Sports Council, said a specialised firm would be chosen to carry out the construction work.

The sports sector contributes Dh4 billion ($1.08 billion) annually to Dubai's economy, according to 2021 figures released by the emirate's media office.

The emirate hosts a number of national and international events each year, which attract visitors from around the world.

Dubai's advanced sports infrastructure, which includes dedicated cycling and running tracks, and the rise in the number of sports academies and fitness centres, have also played a crucial role in the growth of the sector.

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Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Updated: March 06, 2024, 1:44 PM`