Al-Forsan Sports Resort opens to public

Abu Dhabi's premier sporting facility, Al Forsan International Sports Resort, is all set to become a one-stop leisure and family destination for residents as it has opened its doors to the general public.
The resort has launched a ‘Get Out, Get Active Campaign' to give the wider community access to its world class facilities previously available only to Al Forsan members. "We want to promote Al Forsan as a sporting hub for the entire family,” Amal Oumasse, director of sales and marketing, told XPRESS.
Key role
Opened in 2011 and spread over 1.6 million square metres in the heart of Khalifa City, it was restricted to members only till last year. The resort is a one of its kind facility in the UAE that has placed Abu Dhabi firmly as an international sporting destination in the Middle East and beyond.
With dedicated zones for motor and water sports, a comprehensive shooting area, equestrian centre offering outdoor and indoor training arenas, themed indoor air-conditioned paintball fields and recreation areas that consist of a full size football pitch, tennis, basketball and volley courts, gym and swimming pool, Al Forsan plays a key role in nurturing local sporting talent.
"The world class facilities at the centre are capable of hosting international competitions in shooting, go karting, and water-skiing, and the future champions can be nurtured under our world class trainers,” said General Manager Rashid Al Qubaisi.
He said annual membership has also been growing. "Currently we have around 1,200 members. By opening up the resort facility to the public, we hope more and more people will make use of the facilities.”
Adrenaline rush
American expat Mike Smith, a go karting enthusiast, said the circuit at Al Forsan is one the best he has seen. "The circuit is good for beginners as well as those looking for an adrenaline rush,” said Smith.
Water sporting is also a much sought after activity at Al Forsan as it offers the region's first cable ski-lakes. Both beginners and professionals can practice wake boarding, knee boarding and water skiing in the purpose-built lake with artificial waves. While the skier's rope and handle are traditionally pulled by a motorboat, at the ski-lake, the skier gets pulled by an electrically-driven cable.
The shooting arena at Al Forsan is becoming a training ground for many women who want to pursue the sport. "More and more women are taking up lessons in shooting both as a hobby and as a professional sport,” said Salma, the shooting instructor.
The shooting arena caters to both Olympic Disciplines and Sporting Clays combined with Handgun and different rifle ranges.
Arab expat Maha Abaid said, "I have started with sporting Clays and handguns. The training is really good here and I hope to progress to tougher ranges.” Likewise, the equestrian facility is equipped to train in a wide range of equestrian disciplines including riding, polo, show jumping and dressage.