It’s been eight years since a teenage Nouf Al Anzi first donned the UAE national team jersey and stepped on a football pitch to represent her country. It remains the proudest moment of her sporting career.
Then 17, Al Anzi was part of one of the first Emirati women’s national football squads and the affable midfielder has grown with the team every step of the way.
“I always wanted to dedicate my life to football,” Al Anzi told The National.
“Back in school, I remember whenever they asked us, ‘What do you aspire to be? What do you want to be when you grow up?’ I always said, ‘football player’.
“I know it wasn't a common answer to be said – my classmates their answers were like, a doctor, an engineer and so on. But me, the only thing I was sure about was that I wanted to be a football player.
“So when I heard about the national team and the first call-up, I was very proud because to represent your country is I think the biggest pride any person or any athlete could ever reach. I think at that moment I realised, ‘Okay, I’m actually achieving my dream’.”
Al Anzi grew up in a football-loving family and played with her family and relatives in the street for as long as she can remember.
At 16, she found out Al Wahda Club in Abu Dhabi was setting up a women’s side for the first time and quickly signed up to join them. A year later, she was selected to be part of one of the first UAE national outfits – a moment she describes as a “historical event” for the Emirates and for herself.
Last week, Al Anzi appeared alongside Real Madrid and France superstar Karim Benzema in an Adidas campaign that was displayed on the iconic Burj Khalifa to help launch ‘Al Rihla’ (the Arabic word for ‘journey’), the official ball of the upcoming Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“Yalla Nouf, the journey starts now,” Benzema tells her as he passes the ball to her before she says a few words about ‘Al Rihla’.
“Us players play a key role in promoting women's football and I think that ad would also send the message, like, ‘Oh having a female figure on the Burj Khalifa, a football player, UAE women’s player’; I think it's nice to be representing that,” said Al Anzi, 25.
“I think it's a very great opportunity of being in the same video as Benzema.”
That campaign was just one of several pinch-me moments for Al Anzi in recent months.
Less than two weeks ago, she attended the official launch of ‘Al Rihla’ in Doha, where she joined the likes of Iker Casillas and Kaka in a five-a-side game on the beach, alongside fellow trailblazing Arab women footballers Sarah Essam of Egypt, who plays for Stoke City, and Farah Jefry of Saudi Arabia.
Al Anzi was particularly pleased to connect with Essam and Jefry and said they talked football and shared a lot about their own personal experiences in the sport. She says her conversations with Essam “sparked a thought in me, to motivate me to play in Europe”.
Having women footballers feature as a prominent part of the launch of the official World Cup ball is something Al Anzi is very proud of.
“I think it will inspire young girls to play football and basically take it in a very serious way; to dedicate their time and put extra trainings on, because I think when they see women playing with players like Kaka or Casillas; very big names, that for example, won World Cups and had a very successful career, I think it would actually let them feel like, ‘Okay, it could be real’. I think it sends a very motivational message,” said the 25-year-old from Abu Dhabi.
Kaka and Casillas aren’t the only World Cup champions Al Anzi has rubbed shoulders with. The UAE’s No 10 came face to face with one of her idols, Zinedine Zidane, in Dubai a few months ago, where they gathered to shoot two commercial videos for Adidas.
In one of them, Zidane and Al Anzi – or ‘Noufinho’ as she calls herself on social media – did a stunt video where they kicked the ball to each other over the towering Dubai Frame structure. In another clip, Al Anzi is seen flaunting her skills on the football pitch before Zidane, who was on the sidelines watching, walks up to her and asks for her name.
“When I first got to know about it, I didn't believe it for a while, it was like a shocking moment for me,” Al Anzi said of that moment she received the call that she would be shooting an ad with Zidane.
“But when I met him, it was amazing because he was very humble. He also got to ask about how is UAE women’s football here and how is my experience as a player here and so on. I was speechless when I first met him.
“He knows I play for the national team, so he was like, ‘Keep going, stay with your passion towards football’... he gave me lots of words of motivation.”
Zidane is one of three midfielders Al Anzi idolises. The other two are Spain’s Xavi Hernandez and Italy’s Andrea Pirlo. On the women’s side, she looks up to US star Carli Lloyd, and particularly admires her longevity.
Besides playing a vital role in the UAE women’s football movement, Al Anzi stands out as the first ever Emirati woman to play the sport professionally abroad. In 2018, she took a year off from university – she has a degree in Information Security Engineering – and went to Egypt to play for serial league champions Wadi Degla.
“It was amazing because the football schools are very different. I think the Egyptian game is very physical, so it's different than the UAE league,” she said, reflecting on her time with the Yellow and Blacks in Cairo.
“I actually think it was like a focal point of my career because I was also a different person; I think it changed my personality. I met a lot of Egyptian players as well. So it was a very great phase of my career. And also we won the league. It was a great milestone to be honest.”
Al Anzi returned to finish her studies after that but still harbours dreams of playing professional football in Europe one day.
For now, she competes in the UAE’s top flight with a team representing LaLiga Academy – one of three sides fighting for the women’s league title this campaign.
Al Anzi has a day job working in HR and commutes to Dubai from Abu Dhabi every day for football practice.
“I think women’s football has evolved big time in the UAE ever since I started until now,” she says.
“When I first joined, there was just the first team. Later on with the years passing by, you can see that there are different categories now for the leagues, for the national team, for the clubs as well. For example there are under-14s, 17s, 19s, and the first team. So that's very good.
“Also the number of girls playing football has increased a lot in the UAE. Other than the numbers, the awareness of the parents and society as well has changed big time.”
Al Anzi added that she was fortunate enough to have the full support of her family growing up, and believes she “earned” that backing because she managed to balance her studies with football throughout the years.
While she can sense more parents are warming up to the idea of their daughters taking up football, she has a message for those who are still on the fence.
“I think the message I would send is: football changes people's lives,” said Al Anzi.
“My personality changed a lot. I was a shy person when I was younger. I think I'm more outspoken now. I feel more comfortable, let's say, going to events and so on. So I want to tell parents their kids will evolve a lot through sports.
“Sport is not just sport. It helps build personality, confidence, it also gives experience on how to deal with life. It’s not just on the field, it’s also outside.”
Al Anzi’s upcoming competitions with the national team include a Gulf futsal tournament in May, a West Asian futsal event in June before she switches back to 11-a-side for the West Asian Championship in September.
Could the UAE women’s team soon reach a level where they can make it to the Asian Cup and compete for the continental title?
“I think ever since we started we’ve evolved so much. We're on the right track, to be honest,” she replies.
One thing Al Anzi is excited about is the upcoming men’s World Cup in Qatar, which she believes will place football in the region under the spotlight and help boost the women’s game.
“I think it's a very nice thing to have the World Cup in the Middle East. I think that puts the spotlight on countries in the Middle East, and will get people curious to search about football in these countries and explore furthermore,” she adds.
“As women’s football here is something that's on the rise right now, I think we will get the exposure about that and also put the UAE on the women's football map as well. I think it will get us more exposure for sure.”
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
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 Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Profile
Company name: Jaib
Started: January 2018
Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour
Based: Jordan
Sector: FinTech
Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018
Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
The specs: 2019 Audi A8
Price From Dh390,000
Engine 3.0L V6 turbo
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 345hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy, combined 7.5L / 100km
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
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360Vuz PROFILE
Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Results
2pm: Serve U – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Violent Justice, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
2.30pm: Al Shafar Investment – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Desert Wisdom, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ahmed Al Shemaili
3pm: Commercial Bank of Dubai – Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Fawaareq, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
4pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Rakeez, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Al Redha Insurance Brokers – Handicap (TB) Dh78,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Capla Crusader, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly
SPECS
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The biog
Name: Timothy Husband
Nationality: New Zealand
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia
