A friend of mine who’s working with the team handling the preparations of Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium (AKA Jaber Stadium) official opening has invited me for a tour at the stadium today. I always heard and read controversial news about Jaber stadium but actually never had the chance to visit it before so I decided to go and see if the issues were rectified, it was planned to officially open on the 17th February but opening was postponed for a reason that I don’t know yet. I arrived in the evening at Gate#8 and I noted there were 13 gates, I saw there were tickets kiosks scattered around the parking area which is good idea for buying tickets and preventing future congestion.
A short brief about Jaber stadium before I take you on a tour; it’s a multi-purpose stadium in Ardhiyah area and can be seen from 6th Ring Road, it was completed in 2009 but there were many issues and claims regarding the structural integrity but thankfully they were resolved, it’s constructed in 4 levels and has a capacity of 68,000 seated spectators and 6,000 car parkings which makes it the largest stadium in Kuwait.
I recall there was a problem with the turf a few months ago but I saw that this was also resolved. There were many volunteers working hard to get the stadium ready for the opening, they said the new opening date is between February 25th and March 5th. As a civil engineer, I loved how the stadium was designed yet I expected it to be bigger though it looked beautiful from every angle. My first remark was regarding the absence of multi-car parking because clearly 6,000 parking are not adequate for 68,000 spectators but they said the parking area was expanded to reach around 50,000 parkings, also I wish if they start marking the emergency evacuation exits. I walked around the stadium and checked the facilities, there were two large LED screens fixed, a royal and VIP platforms in addition to normal platforms, specialized boxes for media, large speakers, and solar panels that they say are used in case of power failure.
They said there will a huge festive event for the grand opening (laser and fireworks show) and that there will be an international football team coming to Kuwait for a friendly match (most likely Brazil like I said before) and that there will also be an event to break Guinness World Record by making the biggest flag in the world. Did I mention that I went to the top of the stadium? The view was spectacular.
I generally liked how Jaber Stadium looked but there were small shortcomings related to the design and some of the facilities (no Olympic swimming pool, small toilets…etc.) but I suppose they can be addressed, I’m defintely going to visit Jaber stadium for the opening event.
I got you sneak peek pictures for the new health club and spa Al Hamra Thermae that is currently in soft opening phase. I posted perspective photos a few months ago but even in real it looks luxurious and indeed one of the finest health clubs in Kuwait with the spacious training areas and fancy decorations. Health Clubs are getting better and better by the day in Kuwait with numerous offers and new training techniques, so it’s not just free weights area and benches anymore since many are now offering new ideas and techniques for fitness seekers and I was curious if Al Hamra Thermae brings new creative training concepts or if it’s merely one good looking health club and spa.
So to answer all my questions I had a long chitchat with the owner and have asked umpteen questions. First of all, Thermae means hot or warm springs and the health club is located on the top level of Al Hamra Luxury Center right above Grand Cinemas but don’t freak out because members won’t enter the through the mall because there’s a special entrance and elevator that is only accessed via the membership card, so no one can ever get in without a prior appointment which I think gives members more privacy. The gym was designed to have indoor and outdoor training areas, outdoor there is a rooftop walkway overlooking Kuwait city skyline.
There will be two different sections located on two different floors for men and women. Speaking of facilities it has the following;
Men’s Gym
Men’s Grooming Area
Ladies Swimming Pool
Different Countries Theme Spas
Sky Garden
Sky Lounge
Sky Restaurant
VIP Cinema
Cigar Lounge
This is good but what got me interested is that there are first time things in Kuwait such as the anti-gravity treadmill machines in which users will feel like they are running in the air, guess it feels good. Also have you ever heard of a salt and mud rooms? They say these rooms are for body scrubbing and skin care.
Another interesting thing is that the training machines are connected to the Internet and were made exclusively for Al Hamra Thermae, WiFi is also available across the gym. They said there are special aerobics and bootcamp sessions plus yoga classes. I admit seeing how Al Hamra Thermae looks tempt me to give it a try but as a bodybuilder my main concern is the free weight area but I couldn’t see it yet because the men section is not yet open plus I want to check out the swimming pool and spa section so I’ll make sure to have another visit later.
Now “unto” the part that many of you are awaiting, pricing right? They said the annual subscription costs KD1,000 (plus one month free) and that includes a personal trainer throughout the year plus free nutrition consultations from popular local nutritionist Ghanima Alrayyes (AKA gcalories). So by doing simple math, Al Hamra Thermae costs around KD76 per month (KD1000 for 13 months) but I think the management is targeting the yearly membership, I admit I’ve fallen in love with this health club but I’d love it even more if they introduce special offers.
I was at Marina Crescent in the morning and saw there was a kids marathon going on so I went to check it out, I asked organizers about this event they said this is the Omniaty Kids Run and it’s a short marathon (1/2 km for ages 5-8 years & 1km for 9-12 years). I pretty much liked the idea so I decided to cover the event since they said all the registration fees (KD1) will be donated to children with terminal, and deteriorating Illnesses in collaboration with Bait Abdulla (BAACH).
I think this is the first well-organized kids marathon in Kuwait, I truly respect all those families who made sure to register their kids to participate in such a sport and health event. Charity aside, it’s important to raise our children with health awareness since and engage them in sport events since early years, it’s like an investment for their future. The kids were fun, I was enjoying an laughing at them because some of them were crying because they lost, simply adorable. I’d love to see more similar events in future and please “parents” involve your kids in such healthy activities and not just take them to fast food restaurants.
I spotted this little shop SNKR just opened at Bida’a, I thought it’s a restaurant or burger joint at first glance but as I approached it turned out it’s actually sportswear shop selling Nike sneakers. It was kinda odd seeing sportswear shop amongst restaurants and cafes, and for that matter there’s also Inspire Pute Fitness healthclub and another big Nike Store. Now since I brought up sneakers, I’m looking for cool ones, the shop I mentioned above had some good sneakers but I also want to know if you know good places with good prices of course.
I received semi-confirmed news that Brazil National Football team is coming to Kuwait for the official opening of Jaber Stadium to have a friendly game with Kuwait National Football team, marvelous. The Public Authority For Youth And Sport said they have chosen Brazilian National Team because they have good contact with it, but like I said this news isn’t 100% confirmed because I recall they said sometime back that they were trying to make a deal with European football team.
I guess we have to wait to see, fortunately the announced opening date of Jaber Stadium is on 17th February so that’s not long from now.
A friend of mine who’s working with the team handling the preparations of Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium (AKA Jaber Stadium) official opening has invited me for a tour at the stadium today. I always heard and read controversial news about Jaber stadium but actually never had the chance to visit it before so I decided to go and see if the issues were rectified, it was planned to officially open on the 17th February but opening was postponed for a reason that I don’t know yet. I arrived in the evening at Gate#8 and I noted there were 13 gates, I saw there were tickets kiosks scattered around the parking area which is good idea for buying tickets and preventing future congestion.
A short brief about Jaber stadium before I take you on a tour; it’s a multi-purpose stadium in Ardhiyah area and can be seen from 6th Ring Road, it was completed in 2009 but there were many issues and claims regarding the structural integrity but thankfully they were resolved, it’s constructed in 4 levels and has a capacity of 68,000 seated spectators and 6,000 car parkings which makes it the largest stadium in Kuwait.
I recall there was a problem with the turf a few months ago but I saw that this was also resolved. There were many volunteers working hard to get the stadium ready for the opening, they said the new opening date is between February 25th and March 5th. As a civil engineer, I loved how the stadium was designed yet I expected it to be bigger though it looked beautiful from every angle. My first remark was regarding the absence of multi-car parking because clearly 6,000 parking are not adequate for 68,000 spectators but they said the parking area was expanded to reach around 50,000 parkings, also I wish if they start marking the emergency evacuation exits. I walked around the stadium and checked the facilities, there were two large LED screens fixed, a royal and VIP platforms in addition to normal platforms, specialized boxes for media, large speakers, and solar panels that they say are used in case of power failure.
They said there will a huge festive event for the grand opening (laser and fireworks show) and that there will be an international football team coming to Kuwait for a friendly match (most likely Brazil like I said before) and that there will also be an event to break Guinness World Record by making the biggest flag in the world. Did I mention that I went to the top of the stadium? The view was spectacular.
So to answer all my questions I had a long chitchat with the owner and have asked umpteen questions. First of all, Thermae means hot or warm springs and the health club is located on the top level of Al Hamra Luxury Center right above 
There will be two different sections located on two different floors for men and women. Speaking of facilities it has the following;
Another interesting thing is that the training machines are connected to the Internet and were made exclusively for Al Hamra Thermae, WiFi is also available across the gym. They said there are special aerobics and bootcamp sessions plus yoga classes. I admit seeing how Al Hamra Thermae looks tempt me to give it a try but as a bodybuilder my main concern is the free weight area but I couldn’t see it yet because the men section is not yet open plus I want to check out the swimming pool and spa section so I’ll make sure to have another visit later.
I received semi-confirmed news that Brazil National Football team is coming to Kuwait for the official opening of Jaber Stadium to have a friendly game with Kuwait National Football team, marvelous. The Public Authority For Youth And Sport said they have chosen Brazilian National Team because they have good contact with it, but like I said this news isn’t 100% confirmed because I recall they said sometime back that they were trying to make a deal with European football team.
