The 2019/20 AGL season has been cancelled. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The 2019/20 AGL season has been cancelled. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The 2019/20 AGL season has been cancelled. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The 2019/20 AGL season has been cancelled. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Arabian Gulf League season cancelled, decision on champions awaited


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

The 2019/20 Arabian Gulf League (AGL) has been cancelled, with an extraordinary general assembly meeting called for Thursday to determine the implications of the decision.

The UAE Pro League, who organise the league, announced the news on Wednesday following a meeting with the board of directors. The governing body will now meet with the Football Association to discuss the repercussions of the move, including whether Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, who led the league at the time of its postponement, be crowned champions.

The AGL was suspended on March 15, 19 rounds into the season, as the UAE sought to restrict the spread of the coronavirus. At the time, Shabab Al Ahli topped the standings with seven match-days left to play, six points ahead of second-placed Al Ain. A provisional date was then set in late April for the league’s resumption in August.

However, last week the AGL’s 14 clubs were asked to give their thoughts on continuing the competition, with 12 of its members reportedly in favour of cancelling the campaign. The 2019/20 AGL U-21 has also been cancelled. Shabab Al Ahli led that too.

Among the issues to be discussed on Thursday will be the impact of the cancellation on next season’s AGL. There is support to increase the competition by two clubs to 16, with Emirates Club and Dibba Al Hisn, who occupy the two lead spots in the First Division, joining the top flight. The FA governs the second tier.

Meanwhile, the President’s Cup final, initially scheduled for last month, has yet to be played. Al Ain and Al Dhafra were set to contest the showpiece, with the winner then confirmed for next season’s Arabian Gulf Super Cup - the campaign’s traditional opener - against the reigning AGL champions.

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The National's AGL 2019/20 awards

  • Bandar Al Ahbabi, Al Ain winger. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
    Bandar Al Ahbabi, Al Ain winger. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
  • Bandar Al Ahbabi, Al Ain winger. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
    Bandar Al Ahbabi, Al Ain winger. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
  • Kodjo Laba, Al Ain striker. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
    Kodjo Laba, Al Ain striker. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
  • Kodjo Laba, Al Ain striker. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
    Kodjo Laba, Al Ain striker. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
  • Rodolfo Arruabarrena, former Shabab Al Ahli manager Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
    Rodolfo Arruabarrena, former Shabab Al Ahli manager Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
  • Rodolfo Arruabarrena, former Shabab Al Ahli manager Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
    Rodolfo Arruabarrena, former Shabab Al Ahli manager Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
  • Khalifa Al Hammadi, Al Jazira defender. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
    Khalifa Al Hammadi, Al Jazira defender. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
  • Khalifa Al Hammadi, Al Jazira defender. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
    Khalifa Al Hammadi, Al Jazira defender. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
  • Glauber, Al Nasr defender. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
    Glauber, Al Nasr defender. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
  • Glauber, Al Nasr defender. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
    Glauber, Al Nasr defender. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
  • Khalid Al Senani, Al Dhafra goalkeeper. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
    Khalid Al Senani, Al Dhafra goalkeeper. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
  • Khalid Al Senani, Al Dhafra goalkeeper. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
    Khalid Al Senani, Al Dhafra goalkeeper. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League
MATCH INFO

Arsenal 1 (Aubameyang 12’) Liverpool 1 (Minamino 73’)

Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties

Man of the Match: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal)

Jiu-jitsu calendar of events for 2017-2018:

August 5:

Round-1 of the President’s Cup in Al Ain.

August 11-13:

Asian Championship in Vietnam.

September 8-9:

Ajman International.

September 16-17

Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Ashgabat.

September 22-24:

IJJF Balkan Junior Open, Montenegro.

September 23-24:

Grand Slam Los Angeles.

September 29:

Round-1 Mother of The Nation Cup.

October 13-14:

Al Ain U18 International.

September 20-21:

Al Ain International.

November 3:

Round-2 Mother of The National Cup.

November 4:

Round-2 President’s Cup.

November 10-12:

Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro.

November 24-26:

World Championship, Columbia.

November 30:

World Beach Championship, Columbia.

December 8-9:

Dubai International.

December 23:

Round-3 President’s Cup, Sharjah.

January 12-13:

Grand Slam Abu Dhabi.

January 26-27:

Fujairah International.

February 3:

Round-4 President’s Cup, Al Dhafra.

February 16-17:

Ras Al Khaimah International.

February 23-24:

The Challenge Championship.

March 10-11:

Grand Slam London.

March 16:

Final Round – Mother of The Nation.

March 17:

Final Round – President’s Cup.

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
MO
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreators%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Amer%2C%20Ramy%20Youssef%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Amer%2C%20Teresa%20Ruiz%2C%20Omar%20Elba%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE%20athletes%20heading%20to%20Paris%202024
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEquestrian%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAbdullah%20Humaid%20Al%20Muhairi%2C%20Abdullah%20Al%20Marri%2C%20Omar%20Al%20Marzooqi%2C%20Salem%20Al%20Suwaidi%2C%20and%20Ali%20Al%20Karbi%20(four%20to%20be%20selected).%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EJudo%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMen%3A%20Narmandakh%20Bayanmunkh%20(66kg)%2C%20Nugzari%20Tatalashvili%20(81kg)%2C%20Aram%20Grigorian%20(90kg)%2C%20Dzhafar%20Kostoev%20(100kg)%2C%20Magomedomar%20Magomedomarov%20(%2B100kg)%3B%20women's%20Khorloodoi%20Bishrelt%20(52kg).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECycling%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESafia%20Al%20Sayegh%20(women's%20road%20race).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESwimming%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMen%3A%20Yousef%20Rashid%20Al%20Matroushi%20(100m%20freestyle)%3B%20women%3A%20Maha%20Abdullah%20Al%20Shehi%20(200m%20freestyle).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAthletics%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMaryam%20Mohammed%20Al%20Farsi%20(women's%20100%20metres).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Biog

Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara

He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada

Father of two sons, grandfather of six

Plays golf once a week

Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family

Walks for an hour every morning

Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India

2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business

 

The specs

Price: From Dh180,000 (estimate)

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged in-line four-cylinder

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 320hp @ 5,700rpm

Torque: 400Nm @ 2,200rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.7L / 100km