UAE cricket players hope the Presidential decree encouraging expatriate involvement in representative sport will help improve the perception of their game among Emiratis.
From September, men married to Emirati women, as well as children born in the UAE and any player who resides in the Emirates will be eligible to register for sports clubs and, potentially, represent the country.
The decree from the President, Sheikh Khalifa, was declared in November, and the Federal National Council approved the regulations and conditions drafted by the UAE General Sports Authority on Monday.
While the effects of the move could be transformative for football in particular, other sports such as cricket and rugby already have a large expatriate involvement - even at international level.
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Since organised cricket first took hold in the Emirates in the 1980s, the game has been dominated by expatriates, particularly from the subcontinental community.
International Cricket Council rules, put simply, allow for players born in a country to play for that national team, as well as players who have been resident there for three or more years.
The national team currently competing at a Twenty20 tournament in Kuwait is peopled exclusively by Indian and Pakistani nationals. Some were born or raised in the UAE, while others arrived here as adults to work, and qualified to represent the team as per the ICC’s residency criteria.
Amjad Javed, 37, is a Pakistani national who has played for the UAE for the past 15 years. The fast bowler, whose family have lived in the UAE since his grandfather moved to Dubai to work for Dewa 52 years ago, dovetails working as a cargo loadmaster for Emirates Airline with playing cricket.
“I am airline staff, always flying, and when I cross immigration, they recognise me as someone who represents UAE,” Javed said.
“Then, once I give them my passport to stamp, they say: ‘Oh, you are Pakistani, not Emirati?’ I think that has to change.
"It is not about nationality, it is about the country I am representing, and the achievements I have brought for myself, my family, and everyone in UAE. I want to be recognised for those achievements, rather than my nationality.”
The national cricket team have played at two World Cups, one World T20, and last month claimed their first win against one of the sport's established elite Test nations, against Zimbabwe in Harare.
Javed hopes the decree will help increase the awareness of their achievements.
“Let’s say a UAE cricketer who was born here, played at two World Cups, two Asia Cups, two [World Cup] Qualifiers, suddenly you are saying: ‘He can play’?” Javed said.
“How will he be feeling? He has already achieved those targets. You have to step out from football, and come and support other sports, and then we can achieve more goals together.
“In cricket, we have played two World Cups. In football, they have played just once. That is the reality. I think they have to come out and support us.”
Ahmed Raza, 29, is a Pakistani national who was born and raised in Sharjah. He represented the UAE at all age-group levels, before starting a distinguished career with the senior team 14 years ago
The spin bowler believes September’s start date for accepting expatriates into all sports teams could be a decisive moment for UAE cricket.
It coincides with the Asia Cup being staged in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Raza is hopeful that the UAE can qualify to play in it, meaning potential fixtures against the likes of India and Pakistan in front of as many as 25,000 supporters.
“That could be a breakthrough event if we qualify for the main tournament,” Raza said. “We should be inviting the right people to attend, so they can see the passion with which we are representing UAE.
“Even if somebody didn’t understand the sport, they will be able to understand the passion we are playing with, our determination, how we are diving around and putting our bodies on the line.
“For us to play against India or Pakistan, even though we are Pakistani citizens, the way will be playing against them will show we want to beat them.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
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Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
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Always use only regulated platforms
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Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
More on Quran memorisation:
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Kalra's feat
- Becomes fifth batsman to score century in U19 final
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What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UAE SQUAD
Ahmed Raza (Captain), Rohan Mustafa, Jonathan Figy, CP Rizwan, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Usman, Basil Hameed, Zawar Farid, Vriitya Aravind (WK), Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Zahoor Khan, Darius D'Silva, Chirag Suri
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.