Media Release
Ajman, Oct 17: Thumbay Group’s Body & Soul enhances cricket in UAE, with former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin inaugurating the new academy. Mohammed Azharuddin, legendary cricketer and former captain of the Indian cricket team, inaugurated the ‘Body & Soul Cricket Academy’ at the club at Al Jurf, on Saturday October 15.
Hundreds of fans rushed to meet and greet the star cricketer as he toured the world-class facilities of Body & Soul, accompanied by Farhad C, director of the hospitality division of Thumbay Group, which owns and operates the Body & Soul network of health clubs.
Body & Soul Cricket Academy offers training programme in a combination of 3 aspects- cricket, batting, bowling and fielding with certified coaches. With natural grass, cricket net, the facility offers best cricket training conditions in the Emirate. Recording a successful preopening with registrations on the monthly coaching programme at only 350 per month, the academy will soon add transport facility to make it convenient for the parents to send their kids.
Commenting on the cricketing sport and his association with Body & Soul, Azharuddin said, “I am really delighted to volunteer my support to Body & Soul Cricket Academy to promote the growing popularity of cricket and fitness in the region. Whether batting, bowling or fielding, cricketers require good cardiovascular fitness. Cardio or aerobic, fitness relates to how well your body takes in oxygen and gets rid of carbon dioxide. Aerobic exercises may also help prevent muscle injuries and fatigue.
The facilities at the Body & Soul club are top notch and can help UAE’s youth develop and pursue the sport with professional training.”
The celebrity cricketer was quite impressed with the activities and facilities available at Body & Soul Health Club & Spa. He was particularly happy to learn about the growing popularity of the brand as a family fitness destination.
Thanking Azharuddin for the visit, Farhad said, “We are proud of Azharuddin’s positive remarks on Body & Soul. Being an international cricketer, Azhar has seen and experienced topnotch fitness services around the world, and his review is recognition for our world-class services.”
Body and Soul currently has five outlets in the UAE, including ‘elite’ and ‘ladies only’ clubs. They offer extensive sports, recreation, fitness, health, social and youth programmes. Farhad said that Body & Soul was all set for a massive expansion which will see an addition of 100 new family-centered health clubs within the next five years, with 25 of them planned in the next two years. “Body & Soul’s facilities, infrastructure and operating standards are at par with international standards of health clubs. All classes and workouts are supervised by highly trained, certified instructors,” he added.