Dubai Basketball eye playoffs after emphatic win in Bosnia
The win lifts Dubai Basketball to an impressive 24-5 record, keeping them firmly in the race for first with only one more round before playoffs. With just one win behind Partizan Mozzart Bet and Budućnost VOLI, a game in hand for the latter, the battle for the league's top spot remains yet to be secured.
Dubai Basketball exploded out of the gates on Saturday, delivering a first-quarter performance for the record books. The team put up a staggering 39 points in the opening 10 minutes, the highest-scoring quarter by any team this season, and built an early 20-point lead (4:24) by the fifth minute. The Bosnian side struggled to keep pace, and despite an effort to come back, the home team was unable to recover from Dubai's strong start.
'We came into the game with strong focus and executed exactly how we planned.' said Golemac after the game.
'It's a great feeling, but we know we have to stay locked in and keep building toward the playoffs. The goal is to keep analysing, improving every game, and making sure we are now ready for the most crucial part of the season.'
Leading the charge was Dubai's sharpshooter and ex-NBA star Davis Bertans, who put on a first-quarter show with 19 points, including a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range. He finished the night with a total of 21 points, earning him the title of Man of the Match by the ABA League.
'I felt good out there,' Bertans reflected on his dominant night. 'My teammates found me in the right spots, and I was able to sink shots early. That gave us momentum, and from there, we just kept going. Now we come back to Dubai with just one more game to go before playoffs, feeling stronger and more determined than ever.'
With just one game remaining in the regular season, Dubai Basketball's focus now shifts to their final tie-up before the playoffs. A top-two finish remains within reach, hosting current league topper, Budućnost VOLI, at Coca-Cola Arena this Sunday, May 4.
Set to be one of the toughest matchups this season, Dubai Basketball fans are encouraged to rally in numbers and show their players what a home court advantage is really about! Fans can secure tickets for the game on the Coca-Cola Arena website.
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Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
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The development will also include a fully integrated Mandarin Oriental hotel, along with an equestrian centre, and tennis stadium adding a lifestyle dimension to the golfing experience.' The UAE's surge in golf tourism mirrors its broader rise as a luxury travel hotspot. Championship-calibre courses framed by desert dunes or coastal views are just part of the appeal. These are elevated by five-star hospitality, exclusive events, and the cosmopolitan lifestyle available across all seven emirates. But for May, the ambition reaches further. 'One of our biggest goals for golf in Dubai is to offer a broader range of experiences,' he explains. 'Yes, we have many top-tier courses, but I'd love to see more mid-range and affordable options, courses that are accessible and encourage new players to pick up the game." Making golf accessible to all 'Golf is never going to be cheap here, water is expensive, and so is course maintenance,' May concedes. 'But if we can design more cost-effective courses, we can grow the game at the grassroots level. That benefits everyone.' Indeed, true growth is about more than manicured greens and state-of-the-art clubhouses, it's about people. Under May's leadership, Dubai Golf has prioritised education, inclusivity, and sustainability. 'We've been committed to sustainable golf for over 15 years,' he says. 'Even the Majlis Course, the first in the Middle East, was designed with minimal turf to conserve water. Today, all our courses use recycled water for irrigation. We've eliminated plastic bottles, introduced refillable water systems, and are testing different grass species to reduce environmental impact.' That commitment is globally recognised. 'We're proud that all our courses are GEO certified,' May adds, referencing the globally respected Golf Environment Organisation. 'We're working with the R&A and other international partners to make sure we not only meet the standard, but help set it.' Taking the next step Education is another major focus, not just for sustainability, but for the professionals driving the game forward. 'We work closely with the Club Managers Association of Europe and are hosting three of their programmes in Dubai this year, the only destination in the world doing so,' May says. 'It's a brilliant opportunity to grow careers and build global expertise in the region.' Dubai Golf's team is a vibrant mosaic of cultures and nationalities. 'We have PGA professionals from Japan, Korea, France, Slovenia, Ireland, South Africa, Australia — you name it,' says May. 'That diversity reflects our international audience and helps us provide a truly world-class service.' This inclusive spirit is also behind innovations like Topgolf Dubai, a social-sporting experience redefining how people discover golf. Driving new interest 'We had over 650,000 guests at Topgolf last year, with 22.6 million balls hit. That's an average of more than 60,000 every single day,' May reveals. 'It's been phenomenal. A lot of people pick up a club for the first time there and many have gone on to join local golf clubs. It's fun, engaging, and packed every night of the year.' With more Topgolf venues planned, its success signals a more inclusive future for the game in the UAE, one that preserves elite standards while expanding the sport's reach. Still, tradition holds strong. The UAE continues to host three Rolex Series tournaments: the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, DP World Tour Championship, and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. And this year adds a standout event: the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, held in partnership with Augusta National and the R&A. 'The winner gets to play in the Masters and The Open. It's an incredible opportunity,' May says. 'When we hosted it at Dubai Creek, the global coverage was huge. This year it's at the Majlis, and we're thrilled about the attention it will receive.' Growing homegrown talent May beams with pride when speaking about local development. 'The Emirates Golf Federation is doing a fantastic job building pathways from the grassroots to the elite level,' he says. 'The UAE amateur team has won nine of the last 10 Dubai Golf trophies. That kind of consistency shows how far Emirati players have come in competing at a high level.' And as Dubai prepares to welcome Rory McIlroy, now a Masters and Grand Slam Champion, back to the site of his first professional win at the 2009 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, there's a sense of full-circle achievement in the air. But for May, the future remains the focus. 'We've built something really special here,' May reflects. 'But the next five to ten years? That's when things will get really exciting.' In a country that dreams big and delivers even bigger, golf is more than a game; it's a symbol of ambition and progress. 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Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Javier Mendez: How the UAE Became His Next Big MMA Mission
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Zawya
4 days ago
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Dubai Sports World returns for action-packed August edition
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This season, DSW also brings back its free, open-access gym, featuring advanced cardio machines, functional training rigs, and strength zones. The expanded Dubai Kids World features multi-story inflatable slides and soft play obstacle courses as well as dedicated fun zones with retro arcade games, enabling parents to take part in their favourite sports and fitness activities while their kids have supervised fun and stay active. Opening Day to Feature Dubai's First Indoor Half Marathon And visitors can hit the ground running at the August Edition opening day with the DSW Run IN – Dubai's first-ever indoor half marathon, on Sunday, (August 3). Set in a fully climate-controlled environment, the race promises a unique experience for runners, complete with professional timing and cheering zones. The DSW Summer League on Saturday, (August 23) brings together the best workplace teams in the UAE for an inter-company sports showdown featuring high-energy games and corporate team building at its finest. Beat the Heat and Stay on Track with your Fitness Goals Geared towards Dubai residents and visitors staying in the city during the summer break, the August Edition offers high-impact, quality programming throughout the month. With nine sports academies providing world-class coaching – including Galaxy Blues Academy for football, and with U.S. college-level basketball coaches at Taal Basketball Academy – DSW continues to nurture the next generation of athletes. From academy-led training sessions to court bookings and kids' activities, seamless booking is available through the Dubai Sports World app with real-time slot tracking and QR code check-in. HE Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, said: 'Dubai Sports World has become one of the most prominent and important community fitness events in Dubai's calendar. It encourages active lifestyles and creates opportunities for social interactions over the summer – enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors. We are proud to partner with DWTC to deliver this year's August Edition which provides exceptional sporting experiences for everyone who chooses to stay active in Dubai during the summer season – whatever their age and ability. This edition, the event features enhanced programming and creates even stronger community connections - bringing together all segments of society from the 200 nationalities who call Dubai home.' Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar, Executive Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre, said: 'We are excited to begin the countdown to the return of Dubai Sports World, with this special August Edition. Reflecting our commitment to Dubai's sporting community, this year's edition allows us to deliver our most intensive and exciting programming yet, perfectly timed for residents and families staying in Dubai during the summer break. From the inaugural Indoor Half Marathon to the free community gym and enhanced facilities, this edition reinforces our dedication to creating an inclusive, accessible and engaging sporting experience for all. 'With the support of Dubai Sports Council and our strategic partners, we can bring our community together through sport and fitness in the most dynamic and empowering way,' Julfar added. About Dubai Sports World (DSW) The August Edition of Dubai Sports World, presented by Dubai World Trade Centre in association with Dubai Sports Council, runs from 3 August to 2 September 2025. Dubai's biggest and most varied indoor sporting destination, giving everyone, from sporting enthusiasts to first timers, the opportunity to focus on their wellbeing during the summer season. The immersive sports world offers bookable pitches and courts for nine core sports including football, basketball, padel, table tennis, volleyball, badminton, cricket, tennis and pickleball along with fitness classes, a dedicated free gym area, summer camps and academies, a kids' activity zone and more. About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) A global business facilitator since 1979, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is home to the region's leading purpose-built convention and exhibition centre. DWTC provides a platform for connecting people, products, innovation and ideas from around the world through a dynamic calendar of international trade exhibitions and its own roster of sector leading mega events. As a designated free zone, complemented by award-winning commercial real estate, DWTC plays an integral role in Dubai and the region's growth story. Since its inauguration, DWTC has hosted over 6,000 events, with an estimated economic output of AED 248 billion, attracting over 38 million business visitors to Dubai. Building on this legacy, DWTC's second flagship venue, the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), stands as a premier destination for prominent national and international mega events. Strategically aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, DEC's recently announced AED 10 billion expansion is integral to Expo City Dubai's vision of becoming a global business hub for exhibitions and events.
