I’m always baffled when I hear people moaning and groaning about the Shopping Festival.

If it was just about shopping then, maybe, they’d have a point.

But there really is much more to it than that.

Art Avenue, bungee jumping and the amazing fireworks over the Creek at weekends are all well worth a visit.

As is the Pepsi Sports Fiesta.

Somebody just suggested it to me and it is the sort of event I think will be a lot of fun.

Darting between stores isn’t the only exercise you can do during Dubai Shopping Festival.

The Pepsi Sports Fiesta is made up of two major sports - basketball and football - and is being held over three weeks at Safa Park, daily from 3pm until February 23.

The tournaments are open to ‘ballers of all ages, whether you want to form your own team or just go and watch after school, work or jogging on the bouncy path round the park in the evening or at the weekend.

If all that physical activity wasn’t enough, there is also live entertainment, competitions and prizes from Nike and Wild Wadi.

Lose pounds, don’t spend Dirhams and strap on those shin pads and visit the event online here.