UAE begins hunt for medals at Paris 2024 Olympics

Follow the latest news on the 2024 Paris Olympics

Arab athletes continue their hunt for medals on Sunday with Algerian Kaylia Nemour leading the way for podium contenders.

Nemour’s uneven bars routine is one of the most highly-anticipated in artistic gymnastics at these Games and the 17-year-old France-born Algerian will commence her campaign in subdivision two in the qualification round, which begins at 11:30 UAE time on Sunday at Bercy Arena.

Also taking part is 19-year-old Egyptian Jana Mahmoud, who will compete in subdivision 5.

Five Mena athletes to watch on Sunday

UAE judokas begin their Paris 2024 journeys at Champ-de-Mars Arena with Asian Games silver medallist Bishrelt Khorloodoi opening against Zhu Yeqing of China in the women’s -52kg category (third on mat 2 from a midday start), and Narmandakh Bayanmunkh facing An Baul of South Korea in -66kg action (eighth on mat 1 from a midday start).

Three Arab teenage swimmers will feature in the women’s 200m freestyle heats at La Defense Arena. UAE’s Maha Abdullah Al Shehi, 18, and Saudi Arabia’s Mashael Alayed, 17, will compete in Heat 1, while 19-year-old Egyptian Lojine Abdalla is scheduled for Heat 2.

Alayed will make history as the first female swimmer to represent Saudi Arabia in the pool at an Olympic Games.

Egypt’s Mayar Sherif will kick off her tennis singles tournament against former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki in a clash that is scheduled fifth from a 2pm start on Court Simonne-Mathieu at the iconic Roland Garros venue.

In table tennis, Egypt’s veteran duo Omar Assar – who made the men’s singles quarter-finals at Tokyo 2020 before losing a close match to five-time Olympic gold medallist Ma Long – and Dina Meshref start their singles competitions.

Assar, seeded 16 in Paris, opens against Fabio Rakotoarimanana, who is Madagascar’s first Olympic table tennis player, while 17th-seeded Meshref faces Spain’s Maria Xiao.

In boxing, Palestinian Wasim Abu Sal will take on Sweden’s Nebil Ibrahim in the Round of 32 of the 57kg category at North Paris Arena, while Jordanian Zeyad Eashash will square off with Aslanbek Shymbergenov of Kazakhstan.

Over by the Eiffel Tower, Egyptian duo Doaa Elghobashy and Marwa Abdelhady open their beach volleyball campaign against Brazil.

There are also Mena athletes competing in shooting, eventing, and fencing on Sunday.

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

Transgender report

Exclusive: Trans Emiratis fight for recognition of new gender after reassignment surgery abroad

'I pretend I'm dumb so they can't hear my voice': Transgender Emirati on posing as a woman for work

More on this story

A mother’s plea for her children ‘illegally’ in UAE to be sent home to India

Illegal dependents can apply for visa amnesty, say lawyers

Overstay visa families told to settle cases before seeking amnesty

Essentials

The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.