[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”9px||11px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”14px||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”Poppins|600|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” background_color=”#c8102e” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#c8102e” background_color_gradient_end=”#ffffff” background_color_gradient_direction=”131deg” background_color_gradient_start_position=”96%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”23%” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|10px||10px|false|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”10px||2px|11px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_style=”slide” header_3_font_size_tablet=”” header_3_font_size_phone=”15px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” background_last_edited=”on|desktop” use_background_color_gradient_phone=”off” background_color_gradient_start_position_phone=”60%” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]
✪ D2 Sports Academy launched with a mission to boost the sports culture in the country and be known as the ‘Home of Indoor Sports’ in Dubai
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”3px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”width: 75% !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element_phone=”width: 100% !important;”][et_pb_blurb title=”K R Nayar” image=”https://cricketlovers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/K-R-Nayar1.png” icon_placement=”left” content_max_width=”1100px” image_max_width_tablet=”” image_max_width_phone=”” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” content_max_width_tablet=”” content_max_width_phone=”” content_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.10.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Poppins|700|||on||||” header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”#E02B20″ header_font_size=”16px” body_font=”Poppins||||||||” body_text_align=”left” body_text_color=”#565656″ custom_padding=”|||550px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|||20px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_blurb_image=”width:70px;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Senior cricket writer & analyst
[/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_image src=”https://cricketlovers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/open-cut-1.jpg” title_text=”open cut 1″ align=”center” align_tablet=”” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.10.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” animation_style=”zoom” border_radii=”off|5px|2px|2px|90px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#FFFFFF” border_width_left=”18px” border_color_left=”#012169″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_blur=”21px” box_shadow_spread=”3px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.7″ text_font_size=”15px” header_3_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#012169″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” custom_margin=”8px||||false|false” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” animation_style=”flip” animation_direction=”right” header_3_font_size_tablet=”” header_3_font_size_phone=”18px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]
D2 Sports Academy, a 40,000 square feet infrastructure, made up of three indoor cricket pitches, six badminton courts, facilities to play basketball, volleyball, snooker and table tennis and Padel Tennis has been created with a mission to serve the sports fraternity in the Al Qusais, Amman Street, Al Nahda area of Dubai. The opening ceremony attracted a huge gathering, and the academy is all set to stage its first tournament – the Inaugural Cup Indoor cricket tournament on September 9 and 10.
At a time when fitness is becoming a rage in almost every individual today, especially in stressful times like the present one, a bunch of sports enthusiasts have set out to create an indoor sports academy. D2 Sports Academy, located in Al Qusais, Amman Street, Al Nahda Industrial Area 3 in Dubai, has commenced with the aim of boosting the sports culture in the city through their facilities.
As one of the guests of honour for the event along with Mithun Ramesh, actor and RJ of 96.7FM, and CP Rizwan, the UAE national cricket team player, it was a special experience in many ways. The large turnout of nearly 500 people that evening was the first big surprise for me.
Given the central location of this facility, this easily accessible indoor sports academy has great potential to grow and become the ‘Home of Indoor Sports’ as the organisers proudly like it to be known. After a tour of the facilities, one gets the feeling that this indoor sports academy will indeed secure a pride of place among sports lovers in the UAE. Spread over 40,000 square feet, there are three indoor cricket pitches, six badminton courts, facilities to play basketball, volleyball, snooker and table tennis. There is an area for Padel tennis, a sport that is now getting popular among UAE nationals.
Cricket facility at the D2 Sports Academy
Addressing the gathering Mithun remarked that such a sports facility is the need of the hour. “To create such a splendid facility for the people speaks volumes of the enthusiasm and sporting spirit among the people behind this academy. I wish this sports academy a lot of success and would love to see it grow into become one of the best in the UAE.”
Badminton courts at the D2 Sports Academy
Rizwan, who became the first player from Kerala to score a century in international cricket, said: “It is heartening to see such a sports academy with excellent facilities. It is sure to unearth more talents be it from cricket or other disciplines.”
Tennis courts at the D2 Sports Academy
Inside the sports complex is prominently displayed a famous quote from the legendary Michal Jordan: “Practice like you’ve never won, play like you never lost.” The atmosphere created by the organisers seemed conducive for everyone to give their best and learn the best from there. The facility also boasts a sports goods outlet that sells almost all sports goods and equipment that may be needed by sports players.
Padel Tennis court at the D2 Sports Academy
The four sports enthusiasts namely Abdul Razak Karimbil, Sharon Shafi, Shameer Shareef and Ramsheed Karimbil have been working for over an year to transform their dream into a reality. They form the board of directors.
When asked about how the idea for an indoor sports facility emerged, Ramsheed Karimbil said: “We started dreaming about this project a year ago. And it has taken a lot of hard work, commitment and sleepless nights from us to accomplish our dream. Kudos to all my team members for working so hard to realise our goal.”
Sports goods outlet at the D2 Sports Academy
Their dreams did face many hurdles along the way, and many wondered whether such a venture would be possible during a period of crisis around the world. Says Abdul Razak Karimbil : “We had many questions from our friends and family in the initial stages of the project, especially due to the Covid pandemic situation. Not many were convinced that our project would be successful. But, I must say, my team and I were very confident and took a collective decision to go ahead. I’m so overwhelmed with the successful completion of the project and very hopeful and confident about its future.”
Sharon Shafi strongly believes that everything emerges out a dream and that dreams can be transformed into a success through hard work. “I believe everything starts with a dream. We dreamed, we believed. And here we are today. We are delighted.”
Shameer Shareef, who addressed the gathering during the inauguration, thanked the large turn-out of supporters ” I am so glad to see that so many of you have turned up for this event today. On behalf of our organization, I would like to welcome you all to be part of our mission.”
Backing the board of directors and working relentlessly are Jasar Pallikara, Niyas Variyath Valappil and Irshad Abdullah. Jasar and Irshad will be in charge of the events to the held here. UAE national Hisham Ahmed Mohammad Hussain Abdalla has also stepped forward as a sponsor for the academy.
Launching the Inaugural Cup tournament
This facility has been set up with permission from the Dubai Sports Council. D2 Sports Academy will stage its first tournament on September 9 and 10. To be called D2 Inaugural Cup Indoor Cricket tournament, this will be held in association with Tellicherry Challengers.
Niyas added that there a number of activities being planned for the future. “We will be setting up many training programmes here as well community tournaments in all disciplines.” Those interested in availing this facility may contact 00971 54 7937247
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav in_same_term=”on” prev_text=”Previous Story” next_text=”Next Story” _builder_version=”4.10.7″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_post_nav][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”width: 35% !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element_phone=”width: 100% !important;”][et_pb_sidebar orientation=”right” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_sidebar][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
