The Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development (DCD) has launched the 4th Sports and Physical Activity Survey, open until 20 September 2025, to engage communities across the emirate by gathering opinions and preferences on practising sports, attending events and using sports facilities, helping shape the future of sports in Abu Dhabi.
This latest survey builds on the success of previous ones, which have proven to help improve the Abu Dhabi sports sector, as well as increase physical activity levels across all demographics living in the emirate. Results from earlier surveys during the previous three rounds have revealed that participation in community sports events grew from 40,000 to 481,000, physical activity rates increased from 37 per cent to 53 per cent, and growth in the number of multi-use sports facilities rose from 450 to 950, offering more options to all community groups.
The fourth survey in this ongoing series of studies by the DCD focuses on three main areas including physical activity, sports events, and sports facilities.
It also explores the challenges that prevent people from taking up a sport or physical activity and identifies opportunities and the express preferences on choices in the community. These insights help in creating better sports policies, programmes, and initiatives that meet people’s needs.
His Excellency Mohamed Helal Al Blooshi, Executive Director of the Community Engagement and Empowerment Sector at DCD, said: “This 4th survey is a key tool to understanding the needs and ambitions of our community. It assists us in identifying key challenges people face in practising physical activity and to better understand the kind of activities and events that encourage participation. It also allows us to evaluate overall satisfaction levels with the sports facilities currently available.
“The data we collect does not only reflect current situations, it also allow us to transform that data into real plans, programmes, and policies, all of which lead to the enhancement of physical activity, the development of relevant events, and an improvement in sporting infrastructure; thus ensuring an all-round better quality of life, in Abu Dhabi.”
His Excellency Ahmed Al Hosani, Executive Director of the Strategic Affairs Sector at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, emphasised the importance of launching the fourth cycle of the Sports and Physical Activity Survey. He noted that the outcomes of the previous cycles, as well as those expected from the upcoming one, play a pivotal role in supporting government efforts to promote an active lifestyle and make sports an integral part of people’s daily lives.
Al Hosani praised the efforts of the Department of Community Development and all relevant entities in raising awareness and encouraging community participation. He stressed the importance of joint collaboration to achieve the objectives and to continuously monitor progress, contributing to the building of a healthy and active society in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and enhancing the quality of life for all members of the community.
