About us
The Foundation
Founded in Dubai in 2018 by Kerim Erkan (Coach K), Hangtime Sports Academy emerged from a singular, uncompromising vision: to fundamentally elevate youth sports development in the UAE. What started as a grassroots community initiative quickly evolved into a premier basketball academy in Dubai. Initial success was not driven by marketing, but by undeniable, measurable results on the court. During that first year, the academy expanded rapidly through word-of-mouth from families who witnessed profound physical and personal transformations in their young athletes. Today, every player who steps through the gym doors becomes an active part of this ongoing story of growth.
Why Hangtime Sports School?
Hangtime Sports School was established with a vision wider than just teaching sports. Hangtime Sports School has come to fill a crucial gap in the sports industry where it tends to not just develop skills, but mental and emotional capabilities in athletes.
Hangtime Sports School’s programs intend to transform kids’ lives from being addicted to video games, junk food, and other bad habits to healthy athletes who with a mindset and vision for their future not just in sports but in life. Hangtime teaches life values that go a long way such as dedication, commitment, hustle, sacrifices, leadership, communication, etc… In addition, we work closely with parents to ensure that they understand their role as student-athlete parents. This includes regular conferences and in-person discussions with the parents.
The Methodology
True athletic excellence requires far more than just standard on-court repetitions. The Hangtime curriculum actively integrates advanced sports psychology, character development frameworks, and non-cognitive skill building directly into physical training. Instead of simply running basic drills, athletes are challenged by custom tactical systems and practice progressions designed to foster critical thinking, effective communication, and resilience.
Here, the court serves as a mirror for life. This unique training methodology is crafted to forge healthier, highly disciplined, and outstanding student-athletes who continue to excel long after the final buzzer. It is a system built to help every individual unlock their highest potential.
Building Champions & New Horizons
The ultimate testament to this development pipeline is the success of the academy’s alumni network. Hangtime graduates have successfully transitioned to the next level, securing university athletic scholarships, signing professional contracts, and proudly representing their respective National Teams on the global stage. This is a community where aspiring players can clearly visualize and actually achieve their long-term goals.
Now, this proven blueprint for athletic success is expanding into new arenas. Driven by the exact same standard of elite coaching, discipline, and winning culture that built the academy’s basketball legacy, Hangtime proudly offers a comprehensive, high-level youth volleyball program in Dubai.
Global Expansion & Elite Exposure
As the demand for a higher caliber of professional coaching in the region escalated, Hangtime scaled its operations across multiple top-tier sports facilities in Dubai. The academy transitioned into a meticulously structured institution, guided by a dedicated team of credentialed, international coaches who share an exacting standard for player development.
This robust infrastructure paved the way for pioneering youth sports beyond local borders. Hangtime athletes now have the exclusive opportunity to participate in elite international basketball camps, showcases, and exposure tours around the world. By traveling to global sporting hubs—including Switzerland, Serbia, Qatar, Bosnia, and North Macedonia—players gain unparalleled competitive exposure and a truly global athletic perspective.
What Makes Hangtime Sports School different?
Hangtime Sports School’s philosophy is based on the premise that sports mirror life – in the sense that it showcases a player’s character and personality: attitude, merits, shortcomings, moral values, strengths, weaknesses, feelings, and emotions. Hangtime Sports School believes that the confines of the sports’ courts are actually an ideal place to provide indirect guidance based on self-discovery and live examples – which is most effective and useful for children and young adults.
The standard training components of sports academies around the world focus on General strength and conditioning, individual sports skills, and game strategy. In addition to these components, the Hangtime Sports School has added elements for ‘teaching life through different sports.’
Children are never lectured about their personal shortcomings; instead, the coach helps them discover their faults and correct them by themselves while encouraging them to foster personal merits social values. Selfishness, egotism, intolerance, and negative behavior are gradually replaced by discipline, respect for the other, compassion, and team spirit – and, above all, the desire to become a better person. All of this is achieved in a friendly and conducive environment that does not lack fun. At the end of the day, athletes get to own their achievements with pride and humility.
The Standard
Today, Hangtime Sports Academy is recognized as one of the most respected, results-driven sports training institutions in the Middle East. With hundreds of success stories—ranging from absolute beginners discovering their passion to elite international competitors refining their craft—the mission remains resolute.
This is an elite, professional environment dedicated to building the next generation of leaders, competitors, and champions. The next great success story is waiting to be written—step onto the court and claim it.
Our Mission
Transform the lives of youth by developing their physical, mental and emotional capabilities using proven coaching & psychological methodologies.
Our Philosophy
The life values and habits taught through the platform of sports are as important as teaching the sport itself.
ALAEDDIN ERKAN
Co-Founder & CEO
"Sports are a Platform that can transform generation's lives"
Hangtime’s CEO Alaeddin has been managing companies for over 30 years. He has worked with numerous startups as well as large companies across the globe. Over the course of the last couple of years, Alaeddin’s focus shifted towards the health industry. He started his own healthy food business as well as Hangtime Sports Academy. Aladdin strives to impact and develop the upcoming generation of youth by making them understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
ARE YOU READY TO TAKE YOUR
GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
It’s time to join the Hangtime Family and develop your game physically & mentally to an extent you never imagined! Join the Hustle fam!
#ALLHUSTLE