Liwa Sports Club
Liwa Sports Club (LSC) is a prominent club located in the Dhafra Region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The club is primarily known for organizing the annual Liwa International Festival, a four-week cultural extravaganza held in December and January at the Moreeb Dune. The Liwa festival is officially named "Liwa" followed by the consecutive year; for example, the festival that started in December 2022 was called "Liwa 2023” in celebration of the new year. The Liwa Festival is prepared for and managed by Liwa Sports Club in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
History
Liwa Sports Club was initially established as the Abu Dhabi Motors Club in Liwa, Dhafra, Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It was approved by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council on September 17, 2003, and the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare on October 23, 2004. The club's focus was on hosting car and motorbike races, but in 2013, it expanded its activities and added new sports and events, leading to its name change to Liwa Sports Club (LSC) to represent the Liwa sports culture. It is also informally referred to as Al Gharbia Sports Club, which is the literal translation of Western Region Sports Club, reflecting its location in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi.
Liwa Sports Club has a rich history in traditional Arab races such as horse, camel, and falcon competitions and has established itself as one of the prominent clubs in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. It hosts and manages various races and tournaments that attract participants and visitors from all over the world.
Liwa International Festival
The Liwa International Festival is the flagship event of the club. It features a wide range of sports and activities, including classic car competitions, UTV motorsport racing, equestrian and falconry competitions, camel races, horse races, car stunts, sand drag bike races, and more. The Liwa festival attracted over 20,000 visitors and competitors each year for its first decade, but in the past two years, it has attracted over 200,000 and 600,000 visitors consecutively from around the world.
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, representative of the ruler in the Al Dhafra region, the Liwa Festival showcases the rich cultural heritage, traditions, and sporting spirit of the UAE. It offers a unique experience for both participants and spectators, combining thrilling sports competitions with entertainment and cultural events.
Sports and Activities
Liwa Sports Club organizes and participates in various tournaments. Some of the sports and activities associated with the club in the past decade include classic car competitions, UTV motorsport racing, freestyle drifting, camel racing, car stunts, sand drag biking, the Liwa Cycling Challenge, the Liwa International Festival/ Moreeb Dune race, horse and falconry competitions, the Al Dhafra Sea Festival, and the National Day Sports Festival.
Celebrity Visitors
The Liwa International Festival has attracted notable celebrity visitors, including Steve Harvey, Tyrese Gibson, and Cody Walker.
Liwa Sports Club continues to play a significant role in promoting sports and cultural activities in the region, contributing to the development of the sporting landscape in the UAE. The club provides opportunities for sports enthusiasts and visitors to engage in thrilling competitions, experience local traditions, and celebrate the rich heritage of the region.
