Following a successful third staging of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games, top management in the league are looking to strengthen the relationship between the NBA and the Gulf region.
The last two NBA champions, the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets, squared off in two preseason games at Etihad Arena last week, as part of a wider six-day visit that included a host of community events, clinics, grassroots initiatives, and entertainment activations organised by the NBA in collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi.
The UAE capital has established itself as a hub for world-class basketball in the region, having attracted top NBA teams, as well as national sides like USA, Serbia, and Australia, who have all come to Abu Dhabi to hold training camps and compete in exhibition games over the past two years.
It’s all thanks to a multi-year deal signed between DCT Abu Dhabi and the NBA, whose commissioner Adam Silver believes the agreement is only just the start for the league in this part of the world.
“We're particularly excited about, not just the opportunity here in Abu Dhabi, but the Gulf region generally,” Silver said during a roundtable discussion at Etihad Arena last week.
“We're seeing rapid growth here, and it's our hope that we not only continue playing games here in Abu Dhabi, but we play in other countries in the Gulf region, and ultimately bring over WNBA games as well. That's something we'd like to see here.”
Silver chose to defer the revelation of any concrete plans to his counterpart Cathy Engelbert, the commissioner of the WNBA, but says the interest is certainly there from Abu Dhabi as hosts.
The WNBA’s popularity has exploded in North America this year with the advent of star rookies like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, which is something the league wants to capitalise on.
“We've been in discussions with our hosts here in the past. There's no question there's interest in bringing a WNBA game as well,” said Silver.
“It's fascinating for me because we've been working on the WNBA – it’s in its 28th season, so it may not be quite the overnight sensation that it appears to be, but nevertheless, it's remarkable to see the spike in interest we're experiencing now.
“Which I think it's in part, of course, with this rookie class of tremendous players, led by Caitlin Clark. But in addition, it's a larger movement that we're seeing in women's sports. We certainly saw it in Paris at the Olympics. We're seeing it in football, in tennis and volleyball, many other sports. It’s long overdue.
“I will leave it to Commissioner Engelbert to work through the issues on behalf of the WNBA with her players as well. But it's certainly something I would love to see happen.”
The NBA brought its Her Time to Play programme to Abu Dhabi last week, where 130 girls aged between 11 and 14 were coached by the likes of two-time WNBA champion Sylvia Fowles and former WNBA All-Star Allison Feaster.
Silver says that overall, through their Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA programmes on the ground throughout the week, they connected with 7,000 kids, and also held workshops for 450 coaches coming from inside and outside the UAE.
According to figures released by the NBA, the Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League has reached more than 11,000 boys and girls since 2022.
Since the inaugural NBA Abu Dhabi Games in 2022, NBA fandom in the Middle East has reportedly grown by more than 25 per cent and basketball participation has grown by 60 per cent in the UAE and by more than 50 per cent in the Middle East.
These numbers are making a compelling case for the NBA to launch an academy in Abu Dhabi, similar to those already established in Australia, Mexico and Senegal.
Khaman Maluach is the latest success story to come out of the NBA Academy in Saly, Senegal. The 18-year-old was recruited by Duke University, where he just started his freshman year, and has been ranked by ESPN as the third-best prospect in the 2025 NBA draft.
Maluach represented South Sudan at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“We’re looking at focusing on some elite training here,” said Silver. "Abu Dhabi has become a sports and entertainment hub for the whole region and we see an opportunity, potentially, with an elite academy here to bring in young people from the region, broadly described – maybe as far away as India, as far away as Africa as well – and take some of the best youth players and bring them here to train together and to develop to play at the highest levels for their national teams, and potentially in professional competition as well.”
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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
The National selections
Al Ain
5pm: Bolereau
5.30pm: Rich And Famous
6pm: Duc De Faust
6.30pm: Al Thoura
7pm: AF Arrab
7.30pm: Al Jazi
8pm: Futoon
Jebel Ali
1.45pm: AF Kal Noor
2.15pm: Galaxy Road
2.45pm: Dark Thunder
3.15pm: Inverleigh
3.45pm: Bawaasil
4.15pm: Initial
4.45pm: Tafaakhor
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
THE%20JERSEYS
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp
Torque: 240Nm
Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)
On sale: Now
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Pakistanis%20at%20the%20ILT20%20
%3Cp%3EThe%20new%20UAE%20league%20has%20been%20boosted%20this%20season%20by%20the%20arrival%20of%20five%20Pakistanis%2C%20who%20were%20not%20released%20to%20play%20last%20year.%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%0D%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EShaheen%20Afridi%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ESet%20for%20at%20least%20four%20matches%2C%20having%20arrived%20from%20New%20Zealand%20where%20he%20captained%20Pakistan%20in%20a%20series%20loss.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EShadab%20Khan%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%0DThe%20leg-spin%20bowling%20allrounder%20missed%20the%20tour%20of%20New%20Zealand%20after%20injuring%20an%20ankle%20when%20stepping%20on%20a%20ball.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAzam%20Khan%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EPowerhouse%20wicketkeeper%20played%20three%20games%20for%20Pakistan%20on%20tour%20in%20New%20Zealand.%20He%20was%20the%20first%20Pakistani%20recruited%20to%20the%20ILT20.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMohammed%20Amir%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EHas%20made%20himself%20unavailable%20for%20national%20duty%2C%20meaning%20he%20will%20be%20available%20for%20the%20entire%20ILT20%20campaign.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EImad%20Wasim%20(Abu%20Dhabi%20Knight%20Riders)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20left-handed%20allrounder%2C%2035%2C%20retired%20from%20international%20cricket%20in%20November%20and%20was%20subsequently%20recruited%20by%20the%20Knight%20Riders.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
