SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)

In partnership with the Boston Celtics, Experience Abu Dhabi, the destination brand of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has unveiled a transformed basketball court at Reem Central Park, celebrating community, art, and the city's commitment to becoming a global sports and culture hub before the NBA Abu Dhabi Games.

The renovation fosters community engagement through basketball, highlighting the partnership's commitment to local sports culture.

The court was inaugurated at an event with attendees including H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi; H.E. Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi; and H.E. Nouf Mohamed Al-Bushlaibi, Executive Director of the Strategic Marketing & Communications Sector at DCT Abu Dhabi.


  • Notable attendees from the Boston Celtics included Rich Gotham, President; Ted Dalton, Chief Partnership Officer; Chris Sparks, Senior Director of Youth Development; and Jennifer Todd, Senior Vice President of Partnership Development, Strategy, Youth Basketball, and Corporate Events.

    The event highlighted the city's passion for blending art and sports to engage the community. 

    Inspired by the comfort of rugs and the Celtics' first visit, the design symbolises an 'Abu Dhabi rug,' merging local heritage with the team's presence.

    Speaking to Aletihad on the sidelines of the event, Belgian visual artist Katrien Vanderlinden shared her enthusiasm about creating a special rug painting for the newly unveiled basketball court in Al Reem Central Park.

    The painting on the rug features an Al Sadu pattern, a traditional embroidery style from the region, and incorporates Boston Celtics’ green.


“It is designed with triangles and diamond shapes, making it very minimal yet colourful and bright,” she explained.

“It immediately catches your eye when you walk by, and I think the locals will be very happy with it. I am proud that the Celtics chose their court for this beautiful piece of art, and I feel blessed and excited about it. I hope everyone visits Al Reem Central Park to see it,” she added.

According to Vanderlinden, the project is a meeting point of arts, culture and sports. “This project perfectly embodies the collaboration of sports, culture, and art. You have the Boston Celtics alongside this traditional pattern from Abu Dhabi, combined with my artistic style. I think that is very beautiful.”

Well-versed in both traditional paintings on canvases and large-scale street art, Vanderlinden worked in Belgium and Germany before coming to Abu Dhabi.

“I love seeing the impact my art has on people; they always leave smiling and enthusiastic.”

With the court revamped, fans can look forward to the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024, where the Boston Celtics will compete against the Denver Nuggets in pre-season matchups.