The Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) is back for its 10th edition, and this year SPSA is taking part as an academy. From 2 November to 29 November 2026, fitness is a dedicated part of every SPSA training session, with extra sessions for yoga, recovery and families along the way.
What is the Dubai Fitness Challenge?
Launched in 2017 by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the Dubai Fitness Challenge asks everyone in the city to do 30 minutes of activity a day for 30 days, the “30×30” challenge. The 2026 edition runs from 31 October to 29 November.
Over the month, the city hosts free events and activities for all ages, including:
- Dubai Ride (1 November), when Sheikh Zayed Road opens to cyclists
- Dubai Run (22 November), the 5 km and 10 km run along Sheikh Zayed Road, which drew more than 300,000 people last year
- Dubai Yoga (29 November)
- Free Fitness Villages at Kite Beach, Zabeel Park and Al Warqa’a Park, plus community fitness hubs across Dubai
Registration is free at dubaifitnesschallenge.com.
How SPSA is taking part
Our DFC plan is simple: make fitness part of cricket, not an extra. Here’s what that looks like over the four weeks.
Cricket fitness in every training session
Every SPSA training session during the challenge includes a dedicated fitness block built around the movements cricketers actually use: running between the wickets, first-step speed, fielding agility, catching reactions, batting footwork and balance, bowling stability and strength. Each block is matched to the age group, and we’ve mixed in fun games and team challenges so younger players stay keen to the end.
Midweek yoga and meditation
One session a week is given over to cricket-focused yoga for mobility, balance and recovery, followed by breathing and concentration work. The mental side matters as much as the physical: a calm, focused player bats, bowls and fields better under pressure.
Sunday fitness for parents and players
DFC is about families getting active together, so every Sunday parents are invited to join our squad session at Bright Riders School (BRS) for parent-and-player fitness, led by Coach Shahnawaz. Expect some friendly competition between parents, players and coaches along the way.
Recognition for every player
Every participating player will receive an online certificate of participation. Throughout the month, we’ll also be recognising DFC Stars and naming Fitness Champions in each age category.
The challenge ends on Sunday 29 November with a family cricket fitness day and closing celebration.
Why fitness matters for young cricketers
Cricket is often seen as a skill game, and it is, but fitness is what lets skill show up for a whole match. A fit player:
- Turns ones into twos and runs out opponents with quicker first steps and better turns.
- Fields well for 20 or 50 overs, not just the first few.
- Bowls with a repeatable, stable action, which helps both accuracy and injury prevention.
- Recovers faster between sessions and matches.
Building these habits young, in a way that’s fun and suited to their age, sets players up for the rest of their cricket and beyond.
Join in
If your child already trains with SPSA, they’re part of the challenge automatically. Just keep coming to sessions, and parents, bring your trainers on Sundays. We also encourage every family to register for DFC and try to hit 30 minutes a day together, whether that’s a walk, a ride or a run at one of the city’s events.
New to SPSA? It’s a great time to start. Book a trial session and train with us through the rest of the challenge.
Stronger cricketers. Healthier families.