DUBAI // Andy Cole, the chairman of Abu Dhabi Harlequins, says his club are frustrated their attempt to shift the likely UAE Premiership title decider against Dubai Exiles to a different date have been rebuffed.
However, he acknowledged no rules had been breached and that Harlequins do have the requisite players to fulfil the fixture.
Dave Stolzenberg, one of the capital side’s longest serving players, had arranged his wedding back in his native South Africa for earlier this week.
When he did so, he anticipated the rugby season would be over. On the corresponding date last season, the campaign had finished.
As many as 60 club members travelled to Cape Town for the event. It took place earlier this week, but a variety of senior players have opted to extend their holiday, meaning they will miss the match between the sides who are first and second in the table.
More from UAE rugby:
UAE Conference: Sharjah Wanderers leave it late to slay Jebel Ali Dragons in final
Paul Radley: Mission accomplished: With West Asia trophy, Dubai Exiles complete revival
Harlequins had explored the possibility of rearranging the fixture as far back as January, when the clash with the wedding first became obvious.
Back then, it was thought the side from the capital might not have enough experienced front-row forwards available to fulfil the fixture at all. That concern has not been realised, even though they will be heavily depleted elsewhere.
Cole returned from the wedding of his work colleague on Thursday, but he will also be absent from the trip to The Sevens, as he heads back to the UK for a family holiday during the school holiday period.
The Exiles have countered by saying that they, too, will be affected by absences caused by school term times.
“Exiles have done nothing wrong, they are following the UAE guidelines, and there is nothing we can do,” Cole said.
“It is no different from a Premiership team in the UK losing players to international teams. You still have to play on.
“It is just a shame, having been given 12 weeks notice to try to change the dates, people were not prepared to move.”
As recently as two weeks ago, Mike McFarlane, the Harlequins coach, had feared they might have to forfeit the game.
“It is a real shame, being the decider, and it will feel a bit odd,” said McFarlane, who also advocated a return to the old format of an end of season final to decide the champions.
Jacques Benade, Exiles coach, said his side remain focused as they aim for a double of major trophies.
“I think we are sitting in the same position as them,” Benade said. “Schools are on holiday so you are missing a few players, teachers are going back home.
“We will be short, they will be short, but I still think it is going to be as competitive as can be. It is still a massive game. Whatever two teams fill the pitch it is going to be competitive.”
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UAE Premiership
Results
• Jebel Ali Dragons 19-24 Dubai Hurricanes
• Dubai Exiles 48-14 Abu Dhabi Saracens
• Al Ain Amblers 34-48 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Fixtures
• Dubai Hurricanes v Abu Dhabi Saracens
• Al Ain Amblers v Jebel Ali Dragons
• Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Table
W L D Pts
1 Harlequins 7 1 154 33
2 Exiles 7 1 141 33
3 Saracens 5 3 76 25
4 Hurricanes 4 4 -15 21
5 Dragons 1 7 -96 8
6 Amblers 0 8 -260 2
UAE Conference
Final
Sharjah Wanderers 27-26 Jebel Ali Dragons I
UAE Community League
Fixtures
• Al Ain Amblers III v Arabian Knights II
• UAE Shaheen v Dubai Sharks II
• Dubai Hurricanes III v RAK Goats
• Jebel Ali Dragons III v Dubai Sharks III
Table
W L D Pts
1 Nomads 9 0 365 44
2 Dragons III 7 1 279 35
3 Harlequins III 6 3 110 29
4 Amblers III 5 3 81 24
5 Knights II 4 4 -23 22
6 Sharks II 3 5 -70 15
7 Shaheen 3 5 -219 14
8 Sharks III 2 6 -111 11
9 Hurricanes III 2 6 -73 10
10 Goats 0 8 -339 2
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E660hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C100Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E488km-560km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh850%2C000%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOctober%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
JAPANESE GRAND PRIX INFO
Schedule (All times UAE)
First practice: Friday, 5-6.30am
Second practice: Friday, 9-10.30am
Third practice: Saturday, 7-8am
Qualifying: Saturday, 10-11am
Race: Sunday, 9am-midday
Race venue: Suzuka International Racing Course
Circuit Length: 5.807km
Number of Laps: 53
Watch live: beIN Sports HD
Results
2pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m, Winner: AF Thayer, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
2.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: AF Sahwa, Nathan Crosse, Mohamed Ramadan.
3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,000m, Winner: AF Thobor, Szczepan Mazur, Ernst Oertel.
3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 2,000m, Winner: AF Mezmar, Szczepan Mazur, Ernst Oertel.
4pm: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup presented by Longines (TB) Dh 200,000 (D) 1,700m, Winner: Galvanize, Nathan Cross, Doug Watson.
4.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,700m, Winner: Ajaj, Bernardo Pinheiro, Mohamed Daggash.
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
How Voiss turns words to speech
The device has a screen reader or software that monitors what happens on the screen
The screen reader sends the text to the speech synthesiser
This converts to audio whatever it receives from screen reader, so the person can hear what is happening on the screen
A VOISS computer costs between $200 and $250 depending on memory card capacity that ranges from 32GB to 128GB
The speech synthesisers VOISS develops are free
Subsequent computer versions will include improvements such as wireless keyboards
Arabic voice in affordable talking computer to be added next year to English, Portuguese, and Spanish synthesiser
Partnerships planned during Expo 2020 Dubai to add more languages
At least 2.2 billion people globally have a vision impairment or blindness
More than 90 per cent live in developing countries
The Long-term aim of VOISS to reach the technology to people in poor countries with workshops that teach them to build their own device
Previous men's records
- 2:01:39: Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) on 16/9/19 in Berlin
- 2:02:57: Dennis Kimetto (KEN) on 28/09/2014 in Berlin
- 2:03:23: Wilson Kipsang (KEN) on 29/09/2013 in Berlin
- 2:03:38: Patrick Makau (KEN) on 25/09/2011 in Berlin
- 2:03:59: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 28/09/2008 in Berlin
- 2:04:26: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 30/09/2007 in Berlin
- 2:04:55: Paul Tergat (KEN) on 28/09/2003 in Berlin
- 2:05:38: Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 14/04/2002 in London
- 2:05:42: Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 24/10/1999 in Chicago
- 2:06:05: Ronaldo da Costa (BRA) 20/09/1998 in Berlin
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press
The Gandhi Murder
- 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
- 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
- 7 - million dollars, the film's budget
How to turn your property into a holiday home
- Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
- Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
- Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
- Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
- Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
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