Search form

You are here

  • Home
  • Interactive fan event to mark NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022


Interactive fan event to mark NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022

Giannis Antetokounmpo (left) of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks last year. (Scott Cunningham/NBAE)
Short Url

https://arab.news/4c8sb

Updated 17 September 2022
Arab News
Follow

Interactive fan event to mark NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022

  • Event features NBA legends Chris Bosh, Vince Carter, Shaquille O’Neal, Isiah Thomas and Dominique Wilkins
  • ‘NBA Night in Abu Dhabi hosted by Shaq’ will celebrate first NBA games in Abu Dhabi
Updated 17 September 2022
Arab News

ABU DHABI: The National Basketball Association and the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi have announced that NBA District, an immersive, interactive fan event, will be held at Manarat Al Saadiyat in the UAE capital from Wednesday, Oct. 5 until Sunday, Oct. 9.

The event will mark the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022, which will feature the Atlanta Hawks and 2021 NBA champions the Milwaukee Bucks playing two preseason games at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

The two games on Thursday, Oct. 6 and Saturday, Oct. 8, are the league’s first games in the UAE and the Arabian Gulf.

NBA District will showcase the music, media and art associated with basketball culture. Fans will be able to engage with NBA personalities from around the world, watch authentic NBA game entertainment, enjoy hands-on basketball activities, and purchase limited-edition merchandise. 

Programming will include:

  • Performances by the Milwaukee Bucks Dunk Team and mascot “Bango” and by the Atlanta Hawks Dance Team and mascot “Harry the Hawk”
  • Live art performances by UAE-based artist Mr. Dripping and NBA Lab Creative Director Billi Kid
  • Panels and workshops featuring current and former NBA players, global content creators, artists and entertainers
  • Hands-on basketball activities, including Jr. NBA clinics for boys and girls and the “NBA Ice Buckets” buzzer-beater competition for a chance to win tickets to the games
  • Photo opportunities with NBA personalities and authentic NBA memorabilia, including the Larry O’Brien Trophy
  • NBA-themed exhibitions and games
  • International and traditional Emirati food and beverages
  • Limited-edition NBA apparel and merchandise

“At Manarat Al Saadiyat, everyone can enjoy an immersive, exciting atmosphere watching the games live, as well as exhilarating basketball activities and entertainment acts,” said Director-General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, Saleh Mohammed Saleh Al-Geziry.

“Hosting NBA District as part of the region’s first NBA games is another highly memorable moment for Abu Dhabi, as we continue to attract top-tier global sports, share our warm Emirati hospitality and showcase the destination’s many exciting, inspiring and relaxing experiences with the world.”

NBA Head of Fan Engagement and Direct-to-Consumer for Europe and the Middle East George Aivazoglou said: “Whether you are new to the NBA or a passionate fan, NBA District will offer a first-of-its-kind NBA experience in the heart of the city. 

“Featuring interactive basketball activities, authentic NBA game entertainment, appearances by NBA legends and more, NBA District will be a celebration of all things NBA and the perfect backdrop to our first games in Abu Dhabi,” he added.

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 are part of a ground-breaking multiyear collaboration between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi that earlier this year saw the launch of the first Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League, a youth basketball league for 450 boys and girls ages 11-14 from schools across Abu Dhabi. 

The collaboration also includes a variety of interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA players, a series of NBA FIT clinics promoting health and wellness, and an NBA 2K League exhibition event.

Topics: Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates (UAE) basketball

Related

Sport
Abu Dhabi to host 27th Jiu-Jitsu World Championship next month
photos
Offbeat
UAE rabbi marries in Abu Dhabi on anniversary of Abraham Accords

Archer dismisses Australian tailenders for a 5-wicket haul to keep England in the Ashes contest

Updated 18 December 2025
AP
Follow

Archer dismisses Australian tailenders for a 5-wicket haul to keep England in the Ashes contest

Updated 18 December 2025
AP

ADELAIDE, Australia: Jofra Archer dismissed Mitchell Starc for a well-made 54 and No. 11 Nathan Lyon to restrict Australia to 371 on Thursday and complete a five-wicket haul to keep England in the Ashes contest.
Archer picked up the first wicket of the third test, two more in the first over after lunch later Wednesday and the last two on Day 2 after Australia resumed at 322 for eight.
Starc made it back-to-back half centuries to continue his run of form that has earned him player-of-the-match honors in Australia’s opening eight-wicket wins in Perth and Brisbane.
He was unbeaten on 33 overnight and quickly raced to his half-century, plundering four boundaries in the first 10 deliveries of the morning: two slashing cuts in the first over from Archer and two more to wayward deliveries from Brydon Carse.
Starc reached 50 with a single, hit the first ball of Archer’s next over to the boundary but then the England paceman bowled him with a delivery that angled in from around the stumps.
The last-wicket pair added 23 runs before Archer trapped Lyon  lbw, leaving Scott Boland unbeaten on 14 from 21 deliveries.
Archer returned 5-53 from 20.2 overs for his fourth five-wicket haul in test cricket, and third in the Ashes.
Victory a must by England
England needs a victory in Adelaide to have any chance of reclaiming the Ashes in this five-test series. A good batting performance in hot conditions on Thursday will help the cause, particularly with the Australians in the field and the temperature forecast to get close to 40C  on Day 2.
On Wednesday, Alex Carey posted a hometown hundred and Usman Khawaja scored 82 after he was recalled at the last minute to replace Steve Smith on the eve of his 39th birthday.
Carey’s 106 was slightly contentious after he survived a review for caught behind when he was on 72. England reviewed the initial not out decision but Carey survived as decision review technology showed a noise spike before the ball had reached his bat.
The technology’s operators, BBG, later conceded after play ended that an operator error was most likely.
“Given that Alex Carey admitted he had hit the ball in question, the only conclusion that can be drawn from this, is that the Snicko operator at the time must have selected the incorrect stump mic for audio processing,” BBG founder Warren Brennan said in a statement.
Before play on Day 2, the ICC match referee restored one review to England because of the error.

Topics: The Ashes

Latest updates

US approves $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan: Taipei
Pakistan, ADB reaffirm commitment to ML-1 rail project amid economic reforms
Pakistan highlights $38 billion annual remittances on International Migrants Day
Zelensky says Russia preparing for new ‘year of war’
Biden, Obama, GW Bush and Clinton assigned unflattering descriptions on Trump’s Presidential Walk of Fame

Search form

Print Edition
Read pdf version Subscribe now
© 2025 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.