Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi Summer Sports (ADSS) is set to return in a few days — and the teens who ran, bowled, and kicked footballs last year can hardly wait to do it all again.
The annual indoor athletics festival, which has become one of the UAE's most anticipated warm-weather events, will be back for its fifth edition in Abu Dhabi from June 6 to August 23. In Al Ain, the fourth edition will be held from June 10 to August 19.
Seventeen-year-old Ahmed Al Mansoori has been counting down the days. Recalling last year's edition like it was yesterday, he said: "I got to try out several sports and push myself physically. I made new friends and met people who shared my interests.
"When I heard it was coming back, I knew it would be another fantastic experience," he added.
Spread across multiple sporting disciplines, fitness programmes, and competitions, ADSS draws participants from across the UAE and gives the youth - along with their families - a structured, social alternative to staying home.
Wala Al Kaabi, 12, who took part in multiple events during the 2025 season, said she is already planning which activities to tackle this time around. "Last summer was fantastic - the competitions, the games, spending time with friends and discovering new things. This year I wish to develop my skills and take part in more events," she told Aletihad.
For other teenagers like 15-year-old Yousef Al Hammadi, the event solves a familiar summer problem. "The summer holiday can get quiet at times," he said. "Abu Dhabi Summer Sports gave me something fascinating to do every week. It kept me motivated and in shape, and I'm looking forward to seeing what's planned for this year."
Parents have been impressed, too. Fatima Al Suwaidi, whose children attended the fest last year, said the event struck the right balance between fun and structure.
"It creates a safe environment where kids can stay active and have fun. It offers families an opportunity to spend quality time together, while promoting healthy habits," Al Suwaidi said. "My kids have been asking when it will resume."
The buzz surrounding the event's return is part of a wider trend. The fourth Abu Dhabi Sports and Physical Activity Survey, whose results were recently released, found that 83% of the Abu Dhabi population were satisfied with the sports events and activities organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in 2025, highlighting how sport has become woven into everyday life in the emirate.
