Dubai Basketball kicked off their ABA League campaign with a thrilling win by outplaying defending champions Red Star of Serbia 86-84 in a tense and thrilling game at the Coca-Cola Arena on Sunday.
It was a momentous occasion for Dubai Basketball, also known as Dubai BC, who were playing in the league for the first time and in front of more than 4000 fans in Dubai.
Dejan Davidovac, with a two-pointer, opened the scoring for Red Star while Aleksa Uskokovic and captain Klemer Prepelic kept the scoreboard ticking for Dubai.
It was a ding-dong battle from the outset as the lead changed numerous times before Dubai established a lead that they held going into each break.
They went into the first quarter with a 28-16 lead, the highlight of that period being a stunning, buzzer-beating three pointer from Awudu Abbas.
Red Star made the home side pay for some mistakes early in the second quarter before Dubai came back strongly to go into the second half break 50-42, with Nate Mason sinking a basket seconds from the buzzer.
Dubai went into the final quarter 66-63, thanks to a three pointer from Prepelic. They did slip from a nine-point lead before clinging on to victory by two points.
Mason top-scored for Dubai with 18 points with Abass (17) and Prepelic (16) chipping in with useful contributions.
The crowd got their money's worth with some top-class action on the court and entertainment during the breaks.
John Boyer, who is on a business trip to the UAE and a former American basketball pro, said it’s a “great first step” for Dubai with a “really ambitious team”
“They did a good job posting things on social media. I had a friend who said I should come check out the first home game for the Adriatic League. And then, I managed to get some tickets and I'm excited to see what happens,” he said.
“I think it's a great first step, really ambitious team. They made some key signings in the last few weeks. So, interesting to see how the team comes together and how they compete with a Euroleague team like the Red Star.
“I'm working on some trips to the UAE in the coming months and I should probably be able to make it to the couple of NBA pre-season games in Abu Dhabi as well.”
Nikda Lamic, a Serbian working in Dubai for 10 years, added: “It’s amazing that the ABA League comes to Dubai, especially Red Star and I'm a fan of it.
“This team is a world champion. It's good for the fans, it's good for the young kids to learn more about basketball as a sport. I'm very excited for tonight.”
Key 2013/14 UAE Motorsport dates
October 4: Round One of Rotax Max Challenge, Al Ain (karting)
October 1: 1 Round One of the inaugural UAE Desert Championship (rally)
November 1-3: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Formula One)
November 28-30: Dubai International Rally
January 9-11: 24Hrs of Dubai (Touring Cars / Endurance)
March 21: Round 11 of Rotax Max Challenge, Muscat, Oman (karting)
April 4-10: Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (Endurance)
Company%20profile
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First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Celta Vigo v Villarreal (midnight kick-off UAE)
Saturday Sevilla v Real Sociedad (4pm), Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao (7.15pm), Granada v Barcelona (9.30pm), Osasuna v Real Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Levante v Eibar (4pm), Cadiz v Alaves (7.15pm), Elche v Getafe (9.30pm), Real Valladolid v Valencia (midnight)
Monday Huesca v Real Betis (midnight)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Company%20profile
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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