Sports Facilities

The University Sports Center, inaugurated on November 22, 2008, by President Mahmoud Abbas, is one of the most advanced sports facilities in Palestine. The construction of this Center began in 2006, made possible by generous donations from Mr. Mohammad Ahmed Abu-Ghazaleh and Mr. Riad Kamal.

Spanning a total area of 7,600 square meters over three floors, the Sports Center features a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art amenities, including:

• Swimming: An international, half-Olympic sized swimming pool with an integrated electronic system (the first of its kind in the West Bank).

• Basketball: Outdoor and indoor basketball courts, with seating for up to 500 spectators in the indoor facility.

• Volleyball: Outdoor and indoor volleyball courts.

• Tennis: Outdoor tennis courts.

• Handball: Indoor handball courts.

• Badminton: Indoor badminton courts.

• Squash: Dedicated squash courts.

• Gymnastics: Specialized gymnastics facilities.

• Table Tennis: Indoor table tennis tables.

• Boxing: Boxing training facilities.

• Fitness: A Fitness Center with instruction rooms and multi-purpose spaces for various fitness activities.

• Other: Two saunas and comprehensive locker room facilities.

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ANNU views these facilities as a community asset that extends beyond students and staff to serve the wider Nablus community and Palestine at large.

Structured Community Access 

In 2024, ANNU reinforced its policy of regular and inclusive access:

• Sports Facilities Rental System:
  Since July 17, 2024, all sports facilities have been formally opened to the public. Over 270 individuals and groups have made weekly bookings, including schools, youth groups, and local clubs

• Swimming & Fitness Training Programs:
  Between July and December 2024, ANNU offered 23 rounds of swimming and aqua-fitness courses, each with 10 sessions, serving more than 575 community participants, including women and elderly groups

• Al-Najah Sports Academy (Launched 2024):
  A specialized academy was created, enrolling 170 young athletes (boys and girls under 18) in football and basketball, with training sessions held twice weekly. Plans are underway to expand into gymnastics, taekwondo, and competitive swimming

Community Engagement & Events

Alongside structured training, ANNU hosted or co-organized multiple community sports events in 2024:

• Inclusive Sports Day for People with Disabilities (2024) – hosted at the Sports Center with broad participation from schools and NGOs

• Marathon for Health and Wellbeing – over 500 community runners participated

• “I Can” Camp for Children with Visual Impairments – in partnership with local NGOs

• Palestinian U-17 Girls’ National Team Training Camp – ANNU hosted the national team at the Sports Center, promoting women’s empowerment through sports (August 2024).

• Women’s Championships: Regularly hosting tournaments in basketball, volleyball, and swimming for female athletes.

• Regular School Tournaments – hosting football, basketball, and swimming competitions for secondary schools

• Wellness Programs for Elderly Citizens: Regular events connecting sports and health.

Measurable Outcomes (2024)

• 650+ individuals (male and female) use the facilities weekly outside university hours

• 4,500+ community members benefited from structured programs and events during 2024.

• 15 sports venues (indoor & outdoor) were opened to community rental with an average of 18 weekly bookings

• 270 children and youth enrolled in the new Al-Najah Sports Academy.

• 575 community participants completed certified swimming and aqua-fitness programs.

• Dozens of schools and NGOs involved in joint programs each year.

Broader Impact

By systematically sharing its facilities, ANNU contributes to:

• SDG 3 (Health & Wellbeing): Promoting physical activity, inclusive health, and wellbeing.

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Providing non-formal sports education and lifelong learning opportunities.

• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Ensuring access for women and girls to safe, structured sports environments.

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities): Positioning ANNU as a community hub.

News & Media:

• https://www.najah.edu/en/about/history-and-traditions/campus-life/deanship-student-affairs/news-activities/2025/05/15/an-najah-university-concludes-entrepreneurial-challenge-sports-tournament-with-wide-participation/ 

• https://www.najah.edu/en/community/community-news/2024/08/16/an-najah-national-university-hosts-u-17-girls-national-team-in-support-of-palestinian-women-s-sports/

• https://www.najah.edu/en/community/community-news/2023/08/07/an-najah-national-university-makes-history-as-host-of-the-fifth-global-goals-world-cup-in-the-mena-region/ 

• https://www.najah.edu/en/community/community-news/2022/11/13/an-najahs-health-and-wellbeing-marathon-effort-to-promote-healthy-lifestyle/

• https://www.najah.edu/en/community/community-news/2020/01/21/inclusive-sporting-event-for-children-with-disabilities-at-an-najah-university/ 

• https://www.najah.edu/en/community/community-news/2019/11/01/an-najah-national-university-hosts-the-fourth-international-palestine-taekwondo-championship-continues/

• https://www.najah.edu/en/community/community-news/2019/11/02/second-day-of-the-fourth-international-palestine-taekwondo-championship-continues-at-an-najah-university/

• https://www.najah.edu/en/community/community-news/2019/11/03/an-najah-hosts-the-4th-edition-of-the-international-championship-for-taekwondo-kick-off-in-palestine/