DUBAI // The postponement of the Arabian Gulf League kick off from August 19 to the middle of next month may potentially cause havoc with the preseason preparations of some clubs, not to mention the UAE national team’s, but, privately, those at the Football Association are likely to believe they have been delivered an unexpected slice of good fortune.
The Pro League Committee (PLC) are expected to announce soon that the start of the season will be delayed because of the Kuwaiti Football Association's decision on Monday to postpone the Gulf Cup of Nations by up to a year as they work on upgrading their stadiums to host the regional tournament.
With the UAE preparing to resume their campaign for 2018 World Cup qualifying next month, the distraction of a second successive mid-season Gulf Cup is now no longer a concern, something that should please the national team management.
UAE coach Mahdi Ali, usually an outspoken critic of scheduling in the domestic game and whose squad will convene at the end of the month for a 2018 World Cup qualifying double-header against Malaysia in Abu Dhabi on September 3 and Palestine five days later, did not respond to several requests for comment on Tuesday.
But any disappointment at a lack of match practice for his players will be tempered by the knowledge they are less likely to pick up early-season injuries and, in the case of star midfielder Omar Abdulrahman, it gives him the chance to recover fully from a knock that forced him to hobble off from Al Ain's 4-0 friendly defeat against English Championship club Hull City.
When contacted yesterday by The National, an official at the FA would only say that the change to the schedule was a matter for the Arabian Gulf League and the PLC.
akhaled@thenational.ae
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The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
SPECS
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On sale: Mid-2024
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Company Profile
Company name: Namara
Started: June 2022
Founder: Mohammed Alnamara
Based: Dubai
Sector: Microfinance
Current number of staff: 16
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Family offices
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
ARGYLLE
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, John Cena
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Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
