ABU DHABI // Sami Al Jaber, the Al Wahda coach, is seeking a contract extension after leading his team to fourth in the Arabian Gulf League and a possible play-off berth in next year’s Asian Champions League.
“I am very happy to serve at Wahda and looking forward for the next season,” he said when asked about his future at the Abu Dhabi club after his team’s impressive 5-1 drubbing of Al Nasr in the final league game at Al Nahyan Stadium on Sunday.
“It is up to the club management to decide if they want me to continue or not but I will be more than happy to sign a contract extension. As I told when I first arrived here, it is a privilege for me to be in charge of a club like Wahda.
“However, it isn’t the right time to speak about a contract extension when we still have the President’s Cup to play for.
“I feel the team has done pretty well in the most recent matches and I am hopeful we can take this momentum forward to the cup competition.”
Wahda have won three of their last five league matches and drawn the other two against Al Ahli, last season’s league winners, and the current champions Al Ain to finish on 47 points, only two behind Al Shabab in third.
Wahda meet Division One club Dubai in their President’s Cup opener on Thursday and Al Jaber believes his team can go far in the competition.
“Obviously the focus is on the cup competition, which is our only chance to win a trophy,” said the former Saudi Arabia international.
“It is a knockout format and a completely different competition which means we must adopt a different strategy. We will take one game at a time and the focus is the game against Dubai.”
Al Jaber, 42, was hired until the end of the season with the possibility of an extended stay to 2016 after Wahda parted company with the Portuguese Jose Peseiro in February despite taking the club up to third in the league.
Amer Omar, the Wahda midfielder who is enjoying his best season at the club, said the team under Al Jaber has shown remarkable improvement.
“As players, we want to do our best to work under every coach. And success is for everyone from the team to the technical staff, and the club management and our fans,” he said.
“If you look at the results and the performances of our last five league games we have done extremely well.
“The 5-1 win over Nasr in our final league game was a big confidence booster. We now believe in our potential and hopefully can take this momentum forward to start our next campaign on a very positive note.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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List of alleged parties
- May 15 2020: Boris Johnson is said to have attended a Downing Street pizza party
- 27 Nov 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
- Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
- Dec 13 2020: Mr Johnson and his then-fiancee Carrie Symonds throw a flat party
- Dec 14 2020: Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative Party headquarters
- Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
- Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
CHELSEA SQUAD
Arrizabalaga, Bettinelli, Rudiger, Christensen, Silva, Chalobah, Sarr, Azpilicueta, James, Kenedy, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Pulisic, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Werner, Havertz, Lukaku.
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Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
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The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
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Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh132,000 (Countryman)
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
