The first Jr NBA season, beginning in Abu Dhabi in March, played host to Olympic gold medallist Clyde Drexler at the opening ceremony, while on May 28 seven-times NBA champion Robert Horry met young players and presented awards at the closing ceremony.
The juniors league, the result of a collaboration between the National Basketball Association and the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi, provided an opportunity for 450 boys and girls from schools across the emirate to practise and compete.
“I want to pinch myself, being here with the NBA with a legend like Clyde Drexler,” Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, told the students at the draft event. “And I wasn’t as lucky as many of you. I didn’t have coaches.”
It was heartening to hear Al Mubarak acknowledge — in the same breath as referring to high-profile players — the crucial role that coaching volunteers from the local community played in the lives of these basketballers and their contribution to making the inaugural season of Jr NBA a success.
Beyond the call of duty
Basketball enthusiast Levent Edepli is a career support programme manager at NYU Abu Dhabi. He has also been volunteering as an assistant basketball coach since 2016, with his team winning the Abu Dhabi Intercollegiate League every year since he joined.
Edepli also coaches the middle school team at the American Community School, where he’s a parent, and is working to develop a year-round basketball programme at ACS.
And so, coaching the Jr NBA on behalf of the school was a natural fit, even if his role was unexpectedly expanded.
“A few days before the tournament, organisers asked me if I could split my roster into two teams because of another school dropping out. I agreed. To do that, I filled the additional spots with other students who haven’t played with us before, but were interested in learning. That gave us an opportunity to expose more students to the game of basketball,” he says.
Currently, Edepli coaches three Jr NBA teams (two for boys and one for girls): the Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs.
By any means necessary
Walter Clarke Jr is an English teacher at Raha International School, where he coaches the U14 boys’ basketball team.
Clarke has also been a youth basketball coach for 20 years, dating to his time teaching in the US. He’s led the Taaleem Titans, a travel squad composed of players from all Taaleem schools in the UAE, to victory in Sweden and Poland, where the team finished in second and third place respectively.
Clarke volunteered to coach Raha’s Jr NBA team without hesitation and despite many obstacles.
“Because of Covid-19, interschool competitions were restricted. Therefore, I established an intramural basketball league that featured more than 70 students. This allowed me to see all of the basketball players on our campus.
“I then invited players to try out, if they seemed like a possible fit for the Jr NBA level of competition,” Clarke says.
He even held tryouts and early practices at the outdoor basketball courts in his own neighbourhood to avoid any delays in establishing the team that is now known as the Phoenix Suns.
Both Edepli and Clarke completed the regular season and advanced to the playoffs with undefeated teams.
The Suns and the Trail Blazers battled it out for the top spot in what was the most exciting match-up of the season. The crowd roared as the Suns led most of the way, but ultimately, the Trailblazers pulled ahead in the fourth quarter, clenching the win and beautiful, gold championship rings.
The Portland Trail Blazers have emerged as this year’s kings of court, while the San Antonio Spurs hold the crown for the girls’ competition.
Parental support goes a long way
While coaches are the cornerstone of any good team, Clarke contends that accountability and parental support are equally responsible for a player and team’s success.
“Parental support has been key. We have practised and scrimmaged at more than four or five different courts throughout the city. Our parents even allowed their children to practise during Ramadan and Eid,” he says.
Parents have certainly clocked more hours behind the wheel, driving kids to and from games.
“Having a son and a daughter competing for two separate Jr NBA teams has doubled my driving duties,” says ACS parent Brian Dean.
Dean, a recreational basketball player, also spends time helping his young athletes improve their game.
“I get both of my kids to play with me as much as a possible, whether it's just shooting around or a game of one-on-one. Another father and I play three-on-three with boys from the Jr NBA team on a regular basis in our compound.”
Dean is happy to support his children’s hoop dreams as he feels participating in the Jr NBA will give them a real taste of what it’s like to play in a competitive basketball league. He is pleased with the Jr NBA Abu Dhabi programme as well.
“I've been super-impressed. The opening day, when Clyde Drexler came out and spoke to the kids, was pretty special. The league seems to be well organised and everyone running it is very friendly,” Dean says.
One of those friendly faces is Ahmed Elsadiq Elkhalifa Ahmed, a former basketball player for Abu Dhabi University. Ahmed helps to organise and run games on tournament days and, like Edepli and Clarke, he’s happy to do it.
“For me, it has been nothing but a fun experience so far, and I will recommend it to anyone with a passion for basketball,” Ahmed says.
“If the opportunity comes again next year, I will volunteer without hesitation as I loved seeing young boys and girls have a passion for the game of basketball, and bring effort and hard work to the court.”
The Jr NBA Abu Dhabi League is part of a multi-year partnership between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi that will lead to the UAE capital hosting the first pre-season NBA games in the Arabian Gulf in October 2022. Learn more at nbaevents.nba.com
Awar Qalb
Director: Jamal Salem
Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman
Two stars
england euro squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
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PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
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1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition
Palestine and Israel - live updates
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Sri Lanka World Cup squad
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Jeevan Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Race card:
6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh195,000 1,400m.
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 1,200m.
8.15pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,200m.
8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 1,600m.
9.20pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 2,000m.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
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