A statue of the footballer Sergio Aguero will be unveiled in England on Friday to mark the 10th anniversary of the most famous goal he scored in Manchester City colours.
In some ways, sculptor Andy Scott’s work will stand as a counterintuitive monument: a static installation that pays homage to one of the greatest pieces of movement and motion that may ever be seen at the Etihad Stadium.
With the statue unveiling and the anniversary arriving deep within the thickets of another Premier League title challenge for City, in 2022, the memories, sounds and feelings from that joyous Sunday afternoon are sure to come flooding back for City fans all over the world this weekend.
The numerous YouTube clips of Aguero’s 93.20 moment – the time on the stopwatch when he scored to win City that 2012 Premier League title – will also provide an easily accessible repository to spark "where were you when he scored?" chats around the globe this weekend.
A blissful brand of artistry and alchemy has been refined on the pitch
For those who may need their memories jogging on what happened – or very nearly didn’t – the raw facts were that on May 13, 2012, City needed to win on the final day of the season to claim the title. Anything less and the Premier League crown would be on its way to Manchester United, their serial title-winning neighbours. City’s opponents that day were Queens Park Rangers, who were not expected to spoil the party, but very nearly did.
It took two goals in the dying embers of the game, the first by Edin Dzeko in the 92nd minute and the second by Aguero, to pull City away from meltdown and push them towards an historic title by virtue of a 3-2 win secured with seconds to spare.
I spent the match in a sports cafe in Abu Dhabi that seemed to fill up with more and more United fans as the game progressed and City’s chances came and went. If following any football team is a leap of faith, this was an afternoon of turmoil and freefall. And then, Aguero found a way.
A limited edition shirt has been launched by Puma, City’s kit sponsor, to mark the anniversary with “Agueroooo” emblazoned across its back, the unusual naming convention serving as a tribute to commentator Martin Tyler’s vocal inflections when the Argentine lashed his winning goal into the net.
“I swear you will never see anything like this ever again,” Tyler told viewers in the UK as Aguero wheeled away in celebration, swirling his shirt above his head. All these years later, it still does not feel like an especially hyperbolic statement.
Peter Drury, commentating on the feed that Middle East viewers watched that day, also used a single word to capture the moment. “Staggering,” he said, as Aguero’s shot rippled the net, before asking: “Where does football go from here?"
Drury was word perfect. City had stumbled through their prospective coronation day but had somehow stayed on their feet to deliver a knockout blow in the final seconds of a match they looked destined to lose. They staggered and then they prevailed.
City have found many ways to answer Drury’s broadly rhetorical question since then, winning four more Premier League titles and competing this season for another. Under manager Pep Guardiola’s watchful eye since 2016, a blissful brand of artistry and alchemy has been refined on the pitch.
The side is more swagger than stagger these days, although a lengthening injury list in this season’s title run-in means City may yet have to shuffle uncomfortably towards the finishing line over the next few days.
When the final whistle blew 10 years ago, Tyler told viewers that Aguero’s goal may have rendered the phrase “typical City” redundant.
Those words were used liberally in the years of failure when the team would find ever more elaborate ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. By contrast, Tyler said: “This is the team that comes back and finds a way to win in the most improbable circumstances.”
Until earlier this month, the club’s recent success story had also been largely devoid of those “typical City” moments of old, save for misfires in the Champions League, Europe's elite club competition, and a surprise defeat in a domestic cup final. City have secured 13 major domestic league and cup titles since 2011, although the club’s caustic critics will point to the absence of a Champions League crown – the side were beaten finalists in 2021 – to say that the mission remains incomplete.
Two of the club’s four further Premier League titles since 2012 have been secured on the final day of the season. Nerves have jangled on those days, but only momentarily, as City found efficient ways to defy their backstory and make history instead. The pain of coming up short on the final day has been left to others, until now.
But heartbreak occupied centre stage in Spain this month when Real Madrid conjured two goals in 90 seconds as the clock ticked down to turn a Champions League tie around and later secure a spot in the final at City’s expense. It is the competition where City have regularly experienced upset and torment.
Those City fans who were schooled in the years of doom and gloom in 80s and 90s, but who have enjoyed the recent decade of dominance, will be all too familiar with the feelings that last week’s defeat at Real's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium conjured. They will hope those emotions do not emerge once more in the final moments of the 2021/22 Premier League season.
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Leap of Faith
Michael J Mazarr
Public Affairs
Dh67
How it works
Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.
As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.
A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.
Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Kanye%20West
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The%20specs
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Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Jawan
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAtlee%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shah%20Rukh%20Khan%2C%20Nayanthara%2C%20Vijay%20Sethupathi%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
F1 2020 calendar
March 15 - Australia, Melbourne; March 22 - Bahrain, Sakhir; April 5 - Vietnam, Hanoi; April 19 - China, Shanghai; May 3 - Netherlands, Zandvoort; May 20 - Spain, Barcelona; May 24 - Monaco, Monaco; June 7 - Azerbaijan, Baku; June 14 - Canada, Montreal; June 28 - France, Le Castellet; July 5 - Austria, Spielberg; July 19 - Great Britain, Silverstone; August 2 - Hungary, Budapest; August 30 - Belgium, Spa; September 6 - Italy, Monza; September 20 - Singapore, Singapore; September 27 - Russia, Sochi; October 11 - Japan, Suzuka; October 25 - United States, Austin; November 1 - Mexico City, Mexico City; November 15 - Brazil, Sao Paulo; November 29 - Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi.
Teams in the EHL
White Bears, Al Ain Theebs, Dubai Mighty Camels, Abu Dhabi Storms, Abu Dhabi Scorpions and Vipers
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Company%20profile
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