UAE Vice-President seen playing Volleyball with residents at Abu Dhabi summer sports event
TL;DR:
UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour joined a volleyball match, reflecting hands-on leadership in promoting community sports.
Abu Dhabi Summer Sports
(ADSS) is a seasonal indoor event designed to keep people active and engaged during the summer months.
The venue spans 37,000 sqm and includes 52+ air-conditioned courts, supporting over 12 different sports.
In the UAE, where extreme summer heat often limits outdoor activity, the response has been practical and purpose-driven. Initiatives like Abu Dhabi Summer Sports (ADSS) are turning indoor spaces into large-scale, accessible venues for sport and wellbeing.
It's part of a wider national effort, led by figures known for their visible, hands-on approach, to keep the country active, engaged, and connected year-round.
That approach was clearly on display during a recent visit to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), where the event is being held. His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, attended in an active capacity, engaging with organisers, reviewing the venue's facilities, and joining participants in a casual volleyball match.
Inside the Setup: A Full-Scale Sports Environment Built for All
The Abu Dhabi Summer Sports (ADSS) event is a large-scale indoor initiative aimed at encouraging people of all ages to stay active, fit, and healthy throughout the UAE's hottest months. Organised by the ADNEC Group in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the event brings together a wide range of sports and activities under one roof in a safe, climate-controlled environment.
ADSS is built with both scale and purpose. Hosted at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the venue spans more than 37,000 square metres, making it one of the largest indoor sports activations in the region. Its infrastructure includes:
t one of the largest indoor sports activations in the region. Its infrastructure includes:
52 enclosed and air-conditioned courts and pitches,
Facilities for over 12 team and individual sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and others,
A 1.2-kilometre indoor running track for cardio training without braving the outdoor heat.
What makes the event stand out isn't just the size but how it's designed to serve everyone, not just trained athletes or sports clubs.
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Families, children, casual fitness lovers, and amateurs all have dedicated zones. From kid-friendly setups to structured games parents can join, the environment is curated to encourage shared experiences and long-term engagement in physical wellness.
Sheikh Mansour was briefed by organisers on all aspects of the event: the design logic, activity zones, safety measures, and objectives behind the initiative.
That includes the strategic aim of sustaining community-wide physical activity during a season where most people typically avoid it.
No Formalities, Sheikh Mansour Played the Game
What set this visit apart was not the speeches or the staging, it was the simplicity of it. After his tour, Sheikh Mansour joined a friendly volleyball match, playing alongside everyday participants. No grand announcement, no tightly choreographed ceremony, just a real game, in real time, among the people.
This direct involvement aligned with the broader goals of the Abu Dhabi Summer Sports (ADSS) initiative: encouraging people across age groups and skill levels to take part in regular physical activity, even during the peak of summer.
Following the visit, Sheikh Mansour commended the overall organisation, noting the event's accessibility, safety standards, and capacity to host a wide variety of sports. He highlighted its value in promoting community health, supporting active lifestyles, and providing well-equipped, climate-controlled spaces for year-round sport.
A Broader Pattern in UAE Leadership
Sheikh Mansour's participation fits into a larger national narrative, one where sport and wellness are not just government-supported, but culturally encouraged. Leaders across the Emirates frequently show up at local sports events, and many of them are athletes themselves.
A notable example of leadership-driven fitness culture is Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, widely known as Fazza. He is an accomplished endurance rider with numerous international titles and pursues activities like skydiving, scuba diving, and flyboarding. Through his active presence on Instagram, Sheikh Hamdan makes fitness a visible, aspirational part of leadership, inspiring younger generations to embrace an active lifestyle.
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