‘Ready and excited’: Beterbiev looking to remain undefeated in rematch with Bivol at ‘The Last Crescendo’

DUBAI: The UAE’s sporting scene is set for a major new addition with the opening later this year of the Emirates Sports Arena, the Middle East’s first professional ice rink.

Set to open in September, the facility in Dubai Sports City aims to position Dubai as a hub for ice hockey, figure skating and other ice disciplines in the region.

The arena, located next to the Emirates Sports Hotel and Apartments, marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s sports infrastructure. The state-of-the-art venue will host professional games, international tournaments, training camps and community events.

With seating for 600 spectators, the 10,000-square-meter facility has been built to meet the standards of North America’s National Hockey League, including maintaining the temperature of the ice surface at between 16-18 degrees Celsius.

Its state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems plus high-definition screens and range of dining options means it can also be used for figure skating competitions, concerts and other forms of entertainment.

The arena’s operators hope it will provide a base for nurturing grassroots winter sports across the UAE and neighboring countries. A dedicated winter sports academy will be established nearby, offering training programs for aspiring athletes, coaching clinics and youth development initiatives.

The arena is a major boost to the UAE’s previously limited provision of ice rinks, which comprised only smaller venues in Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain.

A core element of the project is fostering inclusivity, with the arena featuring dedicated professional spaces for female athletes and coaches, aligning with broader initiatives to promote women’s participation in sports. Special events, matches and tournaments for women and girls will be organized regularly, encouraging greater interest and engagement in winter sports disciplines.

Vladimir Burdun, CEO of Emirates Sports Group, said: “We believe that the opening of the first professional ice arena will revolutionize winter sports and hockey development in the Middle East. The Emiratis are showing growing interest in winter sports and this facility will support the national teams’ growth and international competitiveness.”

Burdun, who owns the Dubai Mighty Camels hockey team and has been instrumental in developing professional hockey in the UAE for more than two decades, said the new arena would be pivotal to the future growth of the sport.

“We are already in discussions with the UAE Winter Sports Federation to designate the arena as the official training base for the national figure skating and ice hockey teams in preparation for major world championships. Our goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem that nurtures talent from grassroots levels to international competitions,” he said.

“This arena is more than just a building. It’s a catalyst for dreams, careers and regional sports excellence. We are proud to lead this transformative journey.”

DUBAI: A dominant performance by one of the ABA League’s most decorated teams, Partizan Mozzart Bet, saw Dubai Basketball fall short in their first-ever semifinal appearance when the Serbian giants secured a 102-72 win on Monday night.

Dubai started the game well at a packed Stark Arena in Belgrade, with Davis Bertans striking first with a clean two-point layup. But seven-time ABA League title winners Partizan were quick to equalize before propelling the team to an eight-point difference in the first quarter.

The home side demonstrated why Belgrade is regarded as one of the most formidable venues in European basketball. Partizan’s Sterling Brown cemented his place against Dubai with a 21-point contribution and, combined with the Serbian team’s 53 percent three-point success rate and 35 field goals, the first semifinal leg went their way.

Despite the scoreline, Dubai Basketball’s debut season continues to impress. In just their first ABA League campaign, they have reached the semifinals — a historic milestone for a debutant club. Dubai also remains the only club to record a win against Partizan in their inaugural season.

“The better team won today,” said Dubai Basketball head coach Jurica Golemac. “We lost possession too easily and committed too many turnovers to stay competitive at this level. But this team has character, and we’ve already proven we can compete with the best — including a win over Partizan at home. We’ll go back, analyze the game, regroup, and come out stronger.”

He added: “We need our fans more than ever. Their energy and support at Coca-Cola Arena can make a real difference. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, but we’re not done yet — and we want to take this journey forward with the whole city behind us.”

The stage is set for an exciting second leg at Coca-Cola Arena on Thursday, May 29.