ADQ and NBA unveil refurbished Khalifa University basketball court
ADQ and the NBA unveil a refurbished Khalifa University basketball court, enhancing student facilities and inclusive community sports access across Abu Dhabi.
ADQ and the NBA formally opened a newly refurbished Khalifa University basketball court in Abu Dhabi on Friday, marking a fresh milestone in their ongoing collaboration to expand community sports infrastructure. The Khalifa University basketball court will serve students and the surrounding community, reflecting ADQ’s stated commitment to social infrastructure and active-lifestyle initiatives.
Officials preside over ribbon-cutting at Khalifa University court
H.E. Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University, joined Anas Jawdat Albarguthi, Group Chief Operating Officer at ADQ, and David Watts, NBA Head of Middle East Strategy & Development, to perform a ribbon-cutting at the ceremony. Following the official opening, university student athletes held a training session on the court, demonstrating the facility’s immediate utility for campus sport and development.
The event underlined the partnership’s focus on accessible, high-quality sporting venues that support both formal training and casual community use. Organizers described the refurbishment as part of a wider programme to create safe, modern spaces for physical activity across Abu Dhabi.
ADQ and NBA collaboration expands citywide sports network
The Khalifa University basketball court follows earlier refurbishments at Zayed Sports City and Capital Garden, extending a network of community assets delivered through the ADQ–NBA collaboration. ADQ and the NBA have worked together on multiple projects to broaden access to sport, aiming to reach young people and families across the Emirate.
Officials said the initiative is intended to leverage the NBA’s technical expertise in facility standards and programming alongside ADQ’s capacity to fund and scale community infrastructure. The partnership is being positioned as a model for public-private cooperation in sports development within the UAE.
Strategic investment in social infrastructure and wellbeing
ADQ framed the refurbishment as part of a strategic approach to social infrastructure that supports long-term development goals. The investor emphasised that upgraded sports facilities contribute to physical health, social interaction and inclusion, all of which are priorities for resilient urban communities.
By investing in venues that double as shared social spaces, ADQ aims to strengthen local cohesion while encouraging active lifestyles among students and residents. The Khalifa University basketball court is being highlighted as a practical example of that objective in action.
Benefits for students, athletes and the wider community
University leaders said the upgraded facility will provide Khalifa University students with improved training and recreational opportunities, helping to enrich campus life. The availability of a modern court is expected to support competitive teams, student wellbeing programmes, and informal recreational use by campus staff and neighbours.
Community groups and youth outreach programmes may also benefit from scheduled access, organisers noted, with the intention of creating broader participation pathways in sport. Event organisers indicated that future programming could include coaching clinics, youth leagues and community outreach sessions, subject to university scheduling.
Next steps in Abu Dhabi’s sports development agenda
Representatives of ADQ and the NBA described the Khalifa University opening as one phase in a continuing programme to expand sports infrastructure across Abu Dhabi. They said further refurbishments and community-facing projects will be evaluated based on need, usage patterns and opportunities to foster grassroots participation.
The partners also emphasised the role such facilities play in talent development, offering young athletes safer and higher-quality environments in which to learn and progress. Officials signalled that monitoring and community feedback will inform how the collaboration evolves over the coming months.
The refurbished Khalifa University basketball court adds to a growing portfolio of community sports investments that aim to make athletic facilities more widely available across the Emirate. The facility’s launch underscores a strategic push to combine private capital and international sporting expertise to build inclusive public assets that advance health, cohesion and opportunity for residents.