Amity University’s sports scene in Dubai is vibrant and rapidly evolving, offering students unique opportunities to participate in a wide variety of events and competitions.

Amity University Dubai isn’t just following the traditional university sports model. They’ve introduced creative approaches, such as an internal cricket tournament where teams bid on players, much like in a fantasy league.

Director of Sports—Steve Johnston explains, “We host the cricket tournament where students actually have to bid on the players they want for their team. It adds another level of excitement and engagement to the game.”

Johnston, who has been with Amity for three years, is passionate about bringing fresh ideas to the university’s sports program.

“We try to come up with things that are a little different,” he says.

The cricket league, for instance, is just one example of how Amity is making sports more engaging for students.

‘Walk away with experiences’

The sports program at Amity covers a wide range of activities, from mainstream sports like football, basketball, and tennis to more niche options like padel tennis and throwball. Johnston highlights that while rugby isn’t currently offered due to field limitations, the university is always looking to expand its sports offerings in the future.

One of the standout events this year is the Amity Invitational T10 Cricket League, now in its third year.

“We’re in the second week of the league,” Johnston says.

“Six teams from different universities play against each other in a round-robin format, ensuring fair competition where every team faces the best and worst opponents.”

After the cricket league, students can look forward to other events, including the Amity Invitational Football League and an exciting new addition – human bubble football.

“It’s going to be competitive, with trophies and medals just like the other leagues, but it’s also going to be a lot of fun,” Johnston shares, describing how players bounce off each other in large inflatable bubbles while trying to play football.

Amity University takes its varsity teams seriously, and volleyball is currently one of the most competitive teams at the university.

“Our volleyball team won our own tournament two years in a row before being beaten last year by a rising team from RIT University,” Johnston says.

However, Johnston emphasises that the university’s focus isn’t solely on winning.

“We want students to walk away with experiences that complement their academic journey,” he explains.

While victories are celebrated, the main goal is for students to enjoy the process and learn valuable life skills through sports.

‘Bringing in specialists’

To improve the level of competition, Amity has started hiring external coaches to train its athletes.

“We’re bringing in specialists for the sports we’re not experts in,” Johnston says. This is part of a larger effort to raise the overall standard of Amity’s sports teams and prepare them to compete at higher levels.

Johnston himself, along with his staff, coaches several sports, but for areas where they lack expertise, external coaches are being hired. This ensures that the university is continuously improving and giving students the best possible training.

Amity University is also looking beyond its own walls to collaborate with other universities in the UAE. Johnston shared that Amity is working with five other universities to create a national-level university sports league.

“We’ve been meeting with other universities to put forward a format to the UAE Schools and University Sports Federation (SUSF),” Johnston explains.

The goal is to establish a recognised university sports league across the country, a system that is currently lacking in the UAE.

This initiative is still in its early stages, but Johnston is hopeful.

“It’s time for UAE universities to have something more nationally recognised for sports,” he says.

If successful, this collaboration could mark a significant step forward for university sports in the region.

‘Potential to compete at the highest level’

Reflecting on his time at Amity, Johnston shared one of his favorite memories – an annual post-Ramadan Iftar with the student sports council.

“We have a big group of sports volunteers who help us run the tournaments. To thank them for their hard work, we organise a special event just for them, where they get to participate in their own sports day.”

Johnston believes that these moments of community and camaraderie are just as important as the competitions themselves.

“It’s about bringing people together, from all different backgrounds, who share a love for sports.”

As for the future, Johnston has big plans for Amity’s sports program. He envisions the UAE’s varsity system growing to rival international standards, with more professional-level facilities and competitions.

“The UAE has the potential to compete at the highest level, the facilities are already world-class, but we need a program that matches that.”

Johnston also hopes to see Amity’s sports program expand significantly in the coming years.

“I’d love to see us grow into bigger stadia, Olympic-quality facilities, and a program that goes with it,” he shares.

While he acknowledges that this will take time, he’s optimistic about the future.

“We’re laying the foundation now, and we’re learning as we go, improving with each step.”

With its innovative approach to competitions, expanding collaborations with other universities, and a strong focus on community and participation, the university is creating an environment where students can thrive both on and off the field.

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just looking to try something new, Amity offers a sports program that’s inclusive, competitive, and above all, fun. And as Johnston emphasises,

“It’s all about making sure students walk away with experiences that enrich their university life.”