3.3.3 — Shared Sports Facilities with the Local Community
Our Commitment to Community Health and Physical Well-Being
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) recognises that physical activity, sport and recreation are essential to maintaining good health, promoting mental well-being and strengthening community relationships.
The University supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 — Good Health and Well-Being by providing opportunities for physical activity through its campus sports facilities, organised sports programmes and engagement with external schools, sports clubs and community organisations.
CUD's approach to sports extends beyond competitive athletics. The University promotes teamwork, social inclusion, healthy lifestyles and participation in physical activity as important components of personal development and community well-being.
As part of its institutional commitment to community engagement, CUD has made sports facilities available for activities involving external participants, including local schools, university teams and community groups.
These arrangements complement the University's regular sports programme and provide opportunities for members of the wider community to engage in recreational and competitive activities.
1. Sports Facilities at Canadian University Dubai
1.1 Campus Sports Infrastructure
Canadian University Dubai maintains sports and fitness facilities at its City Walk campus in Dubai.
The University's sports infrastructure supports recreational exercise, sports training, organised competitions and student well-being.
Its institutional sports documentation identifies facilities and activities supporting a range of sports, including basketball, football, volleyball, badminton, tennis and table tennis.
These facilities provide an environment in which students and other participants can engage in physical activity, teamwork and organised sporting programmes.
1.2 Available Sports Facilities and Activities
CUD's institutional documentation describes the following sports infrastructure and activities:
| Facility or activity | Sports and physical activities | Community engagement |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor sports facilities | Basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis and other indoor sports | University documentation identifies use for events involving external teams |
| Tennis facilities | Tennis training and recreational participation | Community access arrangements described in institutional sports evidence |
| Gym and fitness facilities | Exercise, physical fitness and strength training | Primarily serves the university community |
| Sports and recreational spaces | Organised sports, team activities and recreational programmes | Used for university and community-oriented sporting activities |
The University uses its sporting facilities to encourage active lifestyles and support opportunities for participation in physical education and recreation.
1.3 Campus Sports Programme
CUD's dedicated Sports Programme provides regular opportunities for students to engage in training, competitive sport and recreational activities.
The programme includes football, basketball and volleyball training, along with participation in other sports.
CUD sports teams represent the University in competitions and tournaments across the UAE.
The sports programme supports physical health while developing teamwork, discipline, cooperation and leadership.
2. Sharing Sports Facilities with Local Schools and Community Groups
2.1 Community Access to Sports Facilities
Canadian University Dubai recognises its sports facilities as resources that can support physical activity beyond the enrolled student population.
The University's publicly documented SDG 3 activities describe arrangements for sharing sports facilities with members of the local community, including schools and external sports participants.
CUD has welcomed external groups to participate in sporting activities and competitions associated with the University.
Its community engagement information also identifies the use of campus sports facilities for inter-school tournaments and charity games involving outside teams.
These activities demonstrate the University's experience in opening university sports resources to external participants.
2.2 Inter-School and Inter-University Sports Activities
CUD has supported sporting engagement involving teams and participants from other educational institutions.
Such activities create opportunities for school and university athletes to participate in organised sport, develop social connections and benefit from competitive and recreational experiences.
The University's sports programme encourages engagement with external teams through competitions and inter-university sporting activities.
Participation in these events contributes to the exchange of sporting experiences and the development of positive relationships between educational institutions.
2.3 Community Sporting Events
CUD has also documented sporting activities involving members of the wider community.
Its public SDG 3 evidence includes a basketball tournament made available to university participants and local community members through an online registration process.
The event provided an opportunity for members of the public to participate in organised sport and attend as spectators.
CUD has also described a Sports Day involving students, staff, external university participants and members of the local community.
The activities included football, basketball and table tennis.
These examples demonstrate the University's historical use of organised sporting activities to encourage community participation and physical well-being.
3. Community Access Arrangements
3.1 Organised Community Sports Activities
CUD's institutional sports evidence describes the use of sports facilities for activities involving external schools, clubs and community participants.
Community engagement can take place through organised tournaments, collaborative sporting events and other approved activities.
These arrangements enable sports facilities to contribute to recreational opportunities and community interaction.
3.2 Facility Reservations and Scheduling
The University's existing sports evidence describes a reservation-based approach for external groups seeking to use sports facilities outside organised activities.
This arrangement enables the University to coordinate external activities alongside its academic, student and sports programme commitments.
Scheduling is intended to avoid conflicts between institutional activities and approved external use.
Access arrangements depend on the relevant activity, facility availability and university approval.
3.3 Community Contact and Enquiries
Members of the local community, including schools, sports clubs and other organisations interested in sports-related collaboration or facility use, may contact CUD's Sports Programme.
Sports Programme Contact
Canadian University Dubai
City Walk, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Email: sports@cud.ac.ae
Website: https://www.cud.ac.ae/life-on-campus/sports
Requests for external access are subject to confirmation by the University's Sports Programme.
4. Sports Partnerships and Community Engagement
4.1 Partnership with Al Wasl Sports Club
On 3 June 2021, Canadian University Dubai announced a Memorandum of Understanding with Al Wasl Sports Club, an established sports organisation in the United Arab Emirates.
The partnership aims to strengthen cooperation in sports management education, professional development and industry engagement.
Areas of cooperation identified in the agreement include:
- Student internships.
- Academic projects and events.
- Research activities.
- Professional training.
- Community outreach initiatives.
- Knowledge exchange with sports industry professionals.
The agreement supports the University's wider objective of developing partnerships connecting academic education with sport and community engagement.
4.2 Sport for Development and Peace
In April 2021, CUD collaborated with Al Wasl Sports Club to organise educational activities associated with the United Nations International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
The collaboration included webinars addressing professional football management and the role of sport in society.
These activities promoted knowledge exchange and awareness of sport as a means of encouraging cooperation, inclusion and social development.
The partnership illustrates CUD's longstanding engagement with external sports organisations.
5. Historical Community Sports and Fitness Initiatives
5.1 Beat the Heat — Community Sports Programme
Canadian University Dubai has previously organised sporting events encouraging participation by young people from outside the University.
In August 2017, CUD hosted Beat the Heat, a programme offering free sporting activities to young adults aged 18–25.
The activities took place at Dubai World Trade Centre and Hub Zero in City Walk.
Participants engaged in football, basketball, volleyball, cricket-related challenges and other recreational activities.
The programme promoted physical activity, social interaction and participation in sport among young people in the UAE.
Although these activities took place at external venues rather than CUD's campus sports facilities, they demonstrate the University's history of organising free community sporting programmes.
5.2 Community Sports Competitions in 2018
In August 2018, CUD organised another Beat the Heat competition in collaboration with Dubai Sports World.
The tournament attracted more than 250 athletes participating in football, volleyball and basketball.
The event provided a platform for community sports participation and promoted healthy, active lifestyles.
These historical initiatives complement the University's campus sports activities and broader commitment to community health.
5.3 Community Fitness and Physical Activity
CUD has also participated in community fitness activities associated with the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
Through such initiatives, the University has encouraged participation in physical activity, exercise and recreation.
These activities contribute to CUD's broader record of promoting physical well-being within Dubai.
6. Contribution to Health, Well-Being and Social Inclusion
6.1 Supporting Physical Health
Access to sports facilities and organised physical activities creates opportunities for individuals to engage in regular exercise.
Physical activity supports cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, mobility and general health.
CUD's sports infrastructure and community engagement activities encourage participation in activities that support healthier lifestyles.
6.2 Supporting Mental Well-Being
Sport and recreation can also contribute to psychological well-being by encouraging social interaction, reducing stress and providing opportunities for positive recreational experiences.
The University's sporting activities complement its wider commitment to student and community health.
6.3 Promoting Social Connection
Sports activities involving participants from different educational institutions and community organisations encourage collaboration, communication and mutual understanding.
Inter-school competitions, sporting events and community participation provide opportunities to strengthen connections among students, athletes and other members of society.
CUD recognises sport as a means of encouraging social inclusion, teamwork and civic engagement.
7. Institutional Sports Facilities and Community Participation
Canadian University Dubai's documented approach to sports includes both on-campus facilities and externally organised community sporting initiatives.
| Area | Institutional evidence | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Campus sports facilities | Indoor sports spaces, tennis facilities and gym infrastructure | Physical activity and recreation |
| External sports participation | Community access and use involving schools and outside sports teams | Sports facility sharing |
| Community tournaments | Basketball tournaments, Sports Day and external sporting participation | Community engagement and physical well-being |
| Organised sports programme | Training, competitive events and inter-university participation | Regular physical activity |
| Sports partnerships | Al Wasl Sports Club agreement | Professional development and sporting collaboration |
| Free community sports | Historical Beat the Heat events | Accessible physical activity beyond the campus |
These initiatives demonstrate the University's commitment to providing sports-related opportunities, promoting wellness and encouraging community participation.
The University's historical activities also demonstrate how sport can connect students, external educational institutions and community organisations.
8. Continued Commitment to Shared Sports Resources
Canadian University Dubai recognises that sports facilities can provide value to communities beyond their primary institutional users.
The University seeks to maintain opportunities for sports-related engagement involving local educational institutions, community organisations and external sporting groups.
Its priorities include encouraging physical activity, supporting inclusive recreational opportunities and strengthening collaboration through sport.
Community access arrangements are coordinated with the University's sports programme and operational requirements.
Through continued participation in sporting activities and partnerships, CUD aims to strengthen the contribution of its sports infrastructure and programmes to health and well-being.
Conclusion
Canadian University Dubai promotes health and well-being through campus sports facilities, organised physical activity and engagement with local schools, sports organisations and the wider community.
The University's institutional evidence documents the sharing of sports resources with external participants through community tournaments, inter-school activities and other sporting initiatives.
CUD's sports programme is complemented by longstanding partnerships and community fitness activities that encourage physical health, recreation, teamwork and social inclusion.
These efforts reflect the University's commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 3 — Good Health and Well-Being through accessible sporting opportunities, community participation and institutional collaboration.
Supporting Institutional Evidence
- Canadian University Dubai — Shared Sports Facilities (SDG 3.3.3). Institutional evidence describing community access, public sporting activities and external participation.
https://sdg.cud.ac.ae/3-3-3/index.html - Canadian University Dubai — Sports. Sports programmes, training, competitions and contact information.
https://www.cud.ac.ae/life-on-campus/sports - Canadian University Dubai — Community and Outreach Activities. Use of campus facilities for external organisations, including sports tournaments and charity games.
https://www.cud.ac.ae/sustainability/social-responsibility/community-and-outreach-activities - Canadian University Dubai — Partnership with Al Wasl Sports Club, 3 June 2021.
https://www.cud.ac.ae/news/canadian-university-dubai-signs-memorandum-understanding-al-wasl-sports - Canadian University Dubai — Beat the Heat Community Sporting Event, 2017.
https://www.cud.ac.ae/news/young-people-across-uae-turn-beat-heat-cud-sporting-event - Canadian University Dubai — Beat the Heat Attracts Record Entries, August 2018.
https://www.cud.ac.ae/news/beat-heat-attracts-record-entries