DUBAI // In their bid to allow local talent to shine, the organisers of the India Club UAE Open Badminton Tournament have decided against inviting ranked players from overseas this year.
Top shuttlers from India and the Far East have been a regular feature at the India Club for this annual tournament, which starts on May 9. But with Dubai hosting the BWF Super Series Masters Finals every year since 2014, a tournament which sees the world’s top eight ranked players and pairs battle it out for the US$1 million (Dh3.67m) prize money, club officials believe there is no need to invite ranked players anymore.
“We are not inviting ranked players this year for the simple reason that we are looking at promoting local talents,” said Bharat Chachara, the general manager of India Club.
“The reason why we used to invite these ranked players was because the fans in this part of the world never really got an opportunity to see ranked players come here and play matches. But Dubai hosts the BWF Super Series Masters Finals and so we have the world’s top stars coming here every year.
“On the other side, what was happening is, they [the invited ranked players] were such strong players that the local players did not stand a chance to win. So the idea is basically to ensure that our local talents get the opportunity to shine and win the tournament.”
Being held for the 39th time, the tournament has attracted 712 entries in 26 categories, with expats from India, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Bahrain, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and United Kingdom taking part.
Organisers have also added two more categories – the boys’ Under 16 doubles and the girls’ U18 doubles.
“We are adding these two new categories for the sake of promoting the young talents here,” said Dinesh Nair, head of the badminton activities at the club. “We have a lot of young talents in the country now. We see school badminton happening every weekend. So we decided to introduce these two categories for these youngsters.”
The club have also invited children with special needs and workers from the labour camps to play exhibition matches and feel part of the event.
The tournament will kick off on May 9, with matches being played from 7pm on week days and 10am on Friday, while the final is scheduled for June 3. The last date for sending entries is May 3. For further information, please contact the India Club on +971 4 3371112 or email them on support@indiaclubdubai.com.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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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
BMW M5 specs
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Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
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Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).
Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.
Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?).
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SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
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BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
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Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
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