Operations and Institutional Arrangement: Initiatives
SDG 3: Focus Areas
3.3.3 Shared sports facilities
Does your university as a body share sports facilities with the local community, for instance with local schools or with the general public?
The University of Bahrain (UoB) actively promotes community health and wellbeing by sharing its sports facilities with the wider public, fully addressing THE Impact Rankings Indicator 3.3.3. Through structured programs and national initiatives, UoB ensures inclusive access to physical activity spaces, fostering healthier lifestyles and social cohesion.
Key Initiatives:
- Managed Public Access Program (2023–24):
Offers free weekly access to selected sports facilities for community members.
Reduces financial and accessibility barriers, encouraging regular physical activity and supporting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).
- Bahrain Sports Day – Annual National Event:
UoB opens all sports facilities to the public during the event, including walking tracks, fitness zones, football and basketball courts, and recreational spaces.
Activities include group exercises, track and field events, and wellness challenges, promoting inclusive participation across all ages and abilities.
- Measurable Outcomes:
- Free access to some facilities year-round through the Managed Public Access Program.
- Free access to all facilities during Bahrain Sports Day, benefiting hundreds of participants from local communities.
- Engagement of students, faculty, staff, and the general public, reinforcing university–community partnerships.
- Alignment with national health strategies and SDG 3 targets for promoting active lifestyles and reducing health risks.
Conclusion:
By systematically sharing its sports infrastructure with the community, UoB demonstrates a strong commitment to health promotion, inclusivity, and social engagement. These initiatives operationalize SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and strengthen the university’s role as a catalyst for sustainable community development.
Evidence:
Shared Sports Facilities for Community Health
In the academic year 2023–24, the University of Bahrain implemented the Managed Public Access Program, offering free weekly access to its sports facilities for community members. This initiative, aligned with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, promotes inclusive participation in physical activity and encourages healthier lifestyles. By reducing financial and accessibility barriers, the program enhances community engagement in sports and contributes to improving public health and well-being across Bahrain and the wider region.
Shared Sports Facilities for Community Health
In the academic year 2023–24, the University of Bahrain implemented the Managed Public Access Program, offering free weekly access to its sports facilities for community members. This initiative, aligned with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, promotes inclusive participation in physical activity and encourages healthier lifestyles. By reducing financial and accessibility barriers, the program enhances community engagement in sports and contributes to improving public health and well-being across Bahrain and the wider region.
Relevant SDG 3 Targets and Indicators:
Bahrain Sports Day – Shared Sports Facilities Promoting Health and Wellbeing
The University of Bahrain (UoB) advances SDG 3.3.3: Shared Sports Facilities through its annual Bahrain Sports Day celebration, held at the Sakhir campus as part of a national initiative promoting health, wellness, and active living. The event brings together students, faculty, administrative staff, and members of the wider public, fostering an inclusive and community-centered environment that promotes physical wellbeing and social cohesion.
During the event, UoB opens its sports facilities to the public, allowing community members to join walking and jogging tracks, participate in fitness sessions, and use the university’s sports fields and courts. Activities include track and field events, football and basketball matches, group exercises, and recreational challenges, encouraging participation across all ages and abilities.
By making its sports infrastructure accessible to both the university and the public, the University of Bahrain reinforces its commitment to shared use of facilities, health promotion, and community engagement. This ongoing annual initiative supports national health and sports strategies, strengthens university–community partnerships, and contributes to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in promoting wellbeing, inclusivity, and active lifestyles across the Kingdom.
Evidence Link: https://www.uob.edu.bh/40608/
Relevant SDG 3 Targets and Indicators:
