Badminton’s popularity in the UAE has grown significantly in recent years, mirroring the growth of the sport worldwide and the recent introduction of the BWF Dubai World Superseries, which was a huge success last year.
Meanwhile, events such as the UAE Open Badminton Tournament ensure that the level of skill is constantly increasing through competition.
Grab a friend, get your racquet and head down to one of the various courts in the UAE to give it a try. If we have any glaring omissions, let us know on Twitter using #360Fans.
DUBAI
Dubai Sports World
Dubai Sports World will be offering free badminton as part of a grassroots initiative called Shuttle Time Dubai, led by the Dubai Sports Council. Badminton is always one of the most popular sports, so advanced online reservation is necessary. 8 courts available this year, with professional rubber flooring provided by Yonex.
ADDRESS: Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road
TEL: +97143064000
EMAIL: dubaisportsworld@dwtc.com
WEBSITE: www.dubaisportsworld.ae
PRICE OF COURT: Free for the public
DUPLAYS: COURT MARTIALS
Duplays’ courts are located in Umm Suqeim 2 – sign up for their indoor pay-per-play badminton league which is open to all skill levels. Visitors can join a league or also book a court for a single session of play.
ADDRESS: Collegiate American School, Umm Suqeim
TEL: +97144472394
EMAIL: dubai@duplays.com
WEBSITE: duplaysdubai.playpass.com
PRICE OF COURT: AED60 from 5-7pm on Fridays and Saturdays
INDIA CLUB
Located on Oud Metha Road, The India Club has four indoor badminton courts that can be reserved. There are also excellent coaching facilities on offer, while both major and minor sports tournaments are held throughout the year.
ADDRESS: India Club, Oud Metha
TEL: +97143371112
WEBSITE: www.indiaclubdubai.com
EMAIL: admin@indiaclubdubai.com
PRICE OF COURT: Free for members (AED2350 yearly), AED360 for eight classes
FITNESS FIRST MEADOWS CLUB
This multi-purpose sports club has six badminton courts which are available to hire, with memberships available. The club also has a Sports Hall with a seating capacity of 500, while numerous other sports activities are readily available.
ADDRESS: Meadows Community Club, Meadows
TEL: +97144370545
EMAIL: info@fitnessfirst-me.com
WEBSITE: www.fitnessfirstme.com
PRICE OF COURT: AED120/240 (non-peak/peak) for non members
ETISALAT ACADEMY’S SPORTS CLUB
A popular location for all racquet sport enthusiasts, especially those who love badminton. The club – located off Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road – has four indoor badminton courts, as well as two squash courts, multiple table tennis tables and two outdoor tennis courts. All courts are extremely well-maintained, and equipment is available.
ADDRESS: Etisalat Facility Management, Muhaisnah
TEL: +97142043491
EMAIL: info@etac.ae
WEBSITE: www.eacademy.ae
PRICE OF COURT: AED200/45 minutes for non members, free for members. Membership is AED800 per month
PRO BADMINTON ACADEMY
Pro Badminton Academy grooms young and adult talent alike to participate in the various tournaments around Dubai, priding itself on being one of the best training academies for juniors. The Academy holds camps and training sessions in various locations, including Dubai Sports World at the Dubai World Trade Centre during during the summer.
ADDRESS: Strokes Sports Hall, Rashidiya
TEL: +971553612108
EMAIL: pbadubai@gmail.com
WEBSITE: www.strokessports.com
PRICE OF COURT: 600AED a month for coaching, 2 sessions a week
PRIME STAR SPORT ACADEMY
Whether you’re aiming to be a pro or just want to play badminton for recreation or leisure, Prime Star Sport Academy gives you the information on badminton basics as well as many little tips that can help differentiate you from a beginner and an experienced player. The coaching program has been designed in consultation with prominent international coaches, with the objective of the academy is to introduce students to badminton’s basic, intermediate and advanced levels.
ADDRESS: India Academy School, Behind Madina Mall
TEL: +971552007182
EMAIL: info@primestaruae.com
WEBSITE: www.primestaruae.com
PRICE OF COURT: 120AED per month for group training
PLAY TO WIN BADMINTON ACADEMY
Play to Win Badminton Academy features coaches who are certified and specialise in teaching in a fun and safe environment that encourages constant participation. The program grooms trainees to succeed in tournaments or at a professional level and has created international medal winners in the recent past.
ADDRESS: The Winchester School, Jebel Ali
TEL: +971567249891
EMAIL: info@dubaibadminton.com
PRICE: AED50/hour
DUBAI STARS SPORTSPLEX
Housed in a 57,000 square foot facility, the Sportsplex has 4 multipurpose courts made of shock-absorbing material that can be divided to tailor to Badminton.
Not only can courts be rented, but Dubai Stars has also teamed up with Sriyani Deepika, a world renowned Sri Lankan badminton player, to provide classes for all skill levels and ages.
ADDRESS: Sportsplex, Mirdiff
TEL: +97142853333
EMAIL: info@dubaistars.ae
WEBSITE: dubaistars.ae/badminton
PRICE OF COURT: AED75/hour ; AED350 for 6 sessions (1 month); AED650 for 12 sessions (2 months)
ABU DHABI
INDIA SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CENTRE
The ISC, located in Abu Dhabi, has been running since 1967 and offers two permanent courts and two convertible badminton courts on the first floor. There is plenty of space between each court, high ceilings and excellent lighting. In fact the facility is truly of international standard.
ADDRESS: ISC Centre, Mina Zayed
TEL: +97126730066
EMAIL: info@iscabudhabi.com/
WEBSITE: www.iscabudhabi.com
PRICE OF COURT: AED300 for members only (AED5650 initial membership fee, AED650 yearly)
THE CLUB
The badminton section welcomes players of all standards to our mixed social sessions, with the emphasis on experienced players at the evening sessions and less experienced players and beginners at the afternoon sessions. During social sessions, the game format is doubles, with a singles ladder operated according to interest.
ADDRESS: Mina Sadiyat
TEL: +97126731111
EMAIL: badderssection@gmail.com
WEBSITE: www.the-club.com
PRICE OF COURT: Free for members (AED3850 initial fee, AED4450 yearly), AED80 for Badminton Racquet club (Members Only)