Al Ain Club signs 30-year deal for community development project
The agreement centres on the redevelopment of Al Ain Club's Al Amerah branch into a community hub.
Al Ain Club's landmark community hub project
SPOX Investments specialises in sustainable community development, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) said in a statement, adding that the partnership will transform the Al Amerah branch into a destination that serves residents across all community segments.
The redevelopment plans include retail outlets, dining spaces, community medical clinics, and a multi-purpose centre for events and activities.
Interactive sports and entertainment zones for families and youth will also form part of the development.
The project aims to create a community hub that combines services with public activities.
Khalifa Al Mazrouei, vice chairman of the board and managing director of Al Ain Club, spoke at a press conference about the initiative.
Al Mazrouei said: 'The Al Amerah Development Project is not simply a construction initiative — it brings our vision to life by turning the Club into a service platform that enhances people's daily lives. This long-term partnership reflects our belief in institutional community development and our confidence in SPOX as a trusted partner. The 30-year duration of this agreement demonstrates a shared commitment to sustainable impact.'
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Al Ain FC | نادي العين (@alainfcae)
Ahmed Goma'a Al Shamsi, vice chairman of the board at SPOX Investments, outlined the reasoning behind the investment decision.
Al Shamsi added: 'Al Ain's strong community spirit and growing demand for modern amenities make it an ideal place to invest. This partnership with the football club creates a vibrant hub that supports local life, drives economic growth, and delivers lasting value for both the community and our investors.'
Nazeel Juvale, CEO of Al Ain Club, positioned the partnership within the club's development strategy.
Juvale explained: 'This is more than a partnership; it is a long-term investment in Al Ain 's social infrastructure. This transformational project reinforces Al Ain Club's strategy to expand its sporting legacy into a broader developmental and social role, setting a national benchmark for integrated, sustainable community initiatives.'
The project will commence in the coming weeks. Delivery is planned in phases to ensure community access and impact occur within set timeframes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
What's On
a day ago
- What's On
De Ridder wins split decision over Whittaker in UFC Abu Dhabi main event
It was a night of celebration for Reinier de Ridder after what can only be described as one of the most important fights in his career so far. The Dutch mixed martial artist narrowly defeated former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in a razor-close split decision on Saturday, July 26, in the headline fight of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi. Held at the buzzing Etihad Arena on Yas Island, the bout had the crowd on edge from the opening bell. Over five explosive rounds, De Ridder and Whittaker went back and forth, trading takedowns, clinch battles, spilling blood and keeping fans on the edge of their seats. It was a classic striker-versus-grappler matchup: Whittaker's speed and footwork met with de Ridder's imposing grappling and control. While Whittaker found success on the feet, de Ridder managed to neutralise much of it with his ground game, repeatedly pushing the pace and forcing clinch engagements. When the final horn sounded, the fight went to the judges' scorecards, and the decision was split. Two judges saw it for de Ridder, with one awarding the fight to Whittaker. The result sparked debate online, but de Ridder walked away with his hand raised, and a defining win on one of the sport's biggest stages. 'I don't want to fight like this [Whittaker], man, this guy was too tough,' de Ridder said in a post-fight interview. 'I expected to take him down. He was so tough, so durable.' The Dutch fighter had to survive a brutal knockdown in round three when Whittaker dropped him with a right hand to the chin in the opening minute. The fight capped off an action-packed night in the capital, cementing UFC Abu Dhabi as one of the most exciting dates on the global MMA calendar. Fans from across the Emirates – and beyond – turned up to witness the action, with big performances throughout the card. With the win, de Ridder instantly becomes a top contender in the UFC's middleweight division and with Abu Dhabi playing host to more frequent fight nights, fans can expect to see more high-stakes showdowns like this one in the near future. In the co-main event, former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan defeated Marcus McGhee by unanimous decision. Yan outpaced his opponent in total strikes, significant strikes, control and takedowns. Ahead of his fight with Whittaker, What's On spoke to d e Ridder in an exclusive interview, read it here. Image: Instagram > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Gulf Today
Neymar says he felt offended, explaining confrontation with fan
Striker Neymar said it was hard to control his feelings when he was being insulted, commenting on a heated exchange he had with a fan after his late goal was ruled out and his club Santos suffered a 2-1 defeat that left them in the Brazilian Serie A relegation zone. The 33-year-old Brazilian, who has had a frustrating time since returning to his boyhood club this year, went over to the stands at the end of Wednesday's game with Internacional to talk with a fan who appeared to be remonstrating with him. Videos showed Neymar agitated and gesticulating, then raising a thumbs up as a teammate ushers him away. 'In the heat of the moment, it is difficult to control your feelings when you are unfairly offended,' Neymar posted on Instagram late on Thursday. 'I will never argue with fans when they criticise me on the pitch, because they have the right to say whether I played badly or not, and they have every right to boo me! 'What they can't do is insult me the way they insulted me...' Santos had been pushing for a comeback from two goals with Alvaro Martin Barreal scoring a minute into added time. Three minutes later, Neymar thought he had scored with a left-footed shot and celebrated in front of cheering home fans. But boos rang out across Vila Belmiro stadium as the referee ruled the ball had not crossed the line. Santos are 17th in the 20-club league, where the bottom four are relegated to Serie B at the end of the season. The former Barcelona and Paris St Germain player has had a torrid time since returning: sidelined with injury, sent off for a handball and suffering COVID-19. 'On the day the fans think I can no longer help or that I am harming the club in any way, I will be the first to pack my things and leave!' Neymar added in his remarks on Thursday. 'Santos is one of my greatest passions, and as long as I have the strength, I will do my best for this club. I will run, fight, shout, and even argue if necessary to get Santos where it deserves to be.' Reuters
Campaign ME
3 days ago
- Campaign ME
Seed & Bloom Community Café shares rollout, success of brand launch campaign
Seed & Bloom Community Café, a homegrown brand, has shared details about its brand launch, activation and influencer campaign with Campaign Middle East. The campaign leaned into a multi-channel strategy to create awareness about its launch, introduce a novel concept to the market, and catalyse foot traffic to the debut venue. The homegrown F&B concept in Abu Dhabi built its brand identity around mindful living, sustainable design and exceptional artisanal food, hoping to build brand love and loyalty through a nurturing space for connection and community engagement. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Foode 🇦🇪 Essa Ali (@ Stakeholders involved in the Seed & Bloom launch campaign The brand launch and activation campaign was brought to life in partnership with TGP International, which was responsible for concept and brand development, interior design and ongoing oversight of operations, marketing, events, PR, and advertising for Seed & Bloom. The brand is now entirely operated and managed by TGP International. Meanwhile, Katch International was tasked with generating media coverage for the venue and coordinating influencer visits during the opening phase. Me:Mo provided auxiliary marketing support during the three-month launch period, including content creation and social media management. Pyong Sumaria handled the photography for F&B and social, while Gavriil Papadiotis handled photography for the interior design elements. The campaign ran for a duration of eight weeks from 5 March to 5 May, 2025. Objectives and rollout of the campaign In conversation with Campaign Middle East, the brand revealed that the main objectives of the campaign included: Introducing the brand to the market and establish its identity and brand values; Driving initial traffic to the venue and revenue through F&B sales; Attracting media and influencers to discover and experience the brand; Generating bookings for workshops and classes; Growing social media platforms and engagement; and Achieving positive early-stage Google Reviews ratings. The brand primarily looked to reach a targeted audience of families, Emiratis, local communities, as well as family-focused influencers. As a result, the campaign was rolled out through social media, traditional public relations and media outreach, community events, influencer marketing and through its website. The campaign unfolded in three distinct phases, starting with early awareness efforts before progressing into targeted media and influencer engagements, and then culminating in highly community-focused activations of workshops and activities, which set the direction for the venue's ongoing programme of experiences offered to its guests. Pre-launch awareness Ahead of its March 2025 opening, the team laid the groundwork for targeted brand awareness. Bilingual press materials were shared with regional media, and first-look exclusives were pitched to trusted lifestyle outlets. Regional publications featured Seed & Bloom before its launch, drawing attention to the design details and menu highlights. Fact Magazine called it 'a space for cakes, classes and coffee in equal measure,' capturing the layered intent behind the concept. This early presence established media recognition and positioned the brand as experience-led from the outset. Launch coverage The launch campaign brought together select content creators to engage their audiences with original, immersive storytelling. Influencers including Alia Alhosani, Amal Ismail, Lana Kaati and Sister's Diary covered their visits through Reels and stories. Through detailed concept briefing and on-the-ground collaboration with these individuals, content focused on the concept's craftsmanship, interiors and the sense of calm the space offered. Time Out Abu Dhabi's walkthrough reel highlighted the café's botanical interiors and pastry selection. A similar walkthrough on TikTok added another strong stream of content. Secret Abu Dhabi's video looked at the sustainability story and the space's distinctive tone. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @gardensplazaad Combined, these videos received more than 80,000 views across platforms. The narrative was picked up by early visitors who began posting their own stories, photos and reels, which helped build an important layer of community-generated content within days of launch. Community event Seed & Bloom also hosted a dedicated 'A Blooming Beginning' event the weekend following its launch, inviting local families, creatives and lifestyle voices to experience the café through workshops, live music and community moments. The day featured a mix of hands-on activities including flower arranging, painting, and interactive culinary stations, with a focus on creating moments families could enjoy together. Attendees included Shania Rosario, Leen Melthem and Arpita Soni who captured impressions of the space that went beyond food. From floral focaccia to slow mornings on the terrace, the content reflected a sense of discovery that aligned with the brand's personality. Finally, a café in Abu Dhabi that feels like home—warm, personal and proud of where it comes from. — Experience Abu Dhabi The event extended the reach of the campaign into the local community and created additional stories that positioned the brand as part of the neighbourhood. Post-launch momentum In the months following the launch, Seed & Bloom continued to receive editorial coverage in What's On Abu Dhabi, BBC Good Food, Curly Tales and Experience Abu Dhabi. These pieces moved the narrative forward by spotlighting the café's evolving programme of events and workshops, including sourdough classes, sustainability pop-ups and creative gatherings. Freshly baked pastries, earthy interiors and a warm welcome—Seed & Bloom is one of Abu Dhabi's most exciting new openings. — Curly Tales Reviews on Tripadvisor consistently cited the ambience, service and quality of food, reinforcing the messages shared in media and influencer content. The café maintains a full 5.0 rating. Success metrics of the Seed & Bloom campaign Since its launch, Seed & Bloom Café Abu Dhabi has carved out a clear identity in the city's evolving café scene.
