UAE figure skating coach Yevhen Kovalov has his sights set on a place for the national team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. If the Ukrainian succeeds, it will be the first time the UAE will qualify for a Winter Games.
Kovalov has already earmarked three potential candidates to make history for the country: leading Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari and two rising stars Dhiyab Al Darmaki and Thea Abou Diwan.
Lari, 25, is the first Emirati figure skater to compete internationally and the first woman to compete wearing the hijab.
Al Darmaki, 14, is the first Emirati male in figure skating while Abou Diwan, 12 and born to Lebanese parents in Dubai, becomes eligible to represent the country of her birth.
"Zahra is the face of Emirati figure skating. Dhiyab is unique as the first Emirati male figure skater. Thea not only competes regularly in the European circuit but she is achieving the top three spots," Kovalov told The National.
"
"She's [Zahra] very disciplined and committed in her work, and is pursuing of her dream to become the first Emirati Olympian in figure skating. I really admire what she already has achieved and hopefully she will fulfill her dream."
Kovalov, 27, moved to the UAE in 2014 after spending a year in Cyprus.
“I travelled with one of my pupils from Cyprus to win a competition in Abu Dhabi and was offered to come down and coach in the Emirates,” he said.
“I worked in Dubai for four months and was appointed coach of the Emirates Skating Club along with a contract with the UAE Winter Sports Federation.”
The Emirates Skating Club, the first club founded in the UAE, is open to all nationalities and has over 100 members.
“Here we have skaters of all ages and various levels,” Kovalov said.
“We have a pool of figure skaters for the national team but only Zahra, Dhiyab and Thea are in the high performance squad. There are two more girls from Dubai and Al Ain but they haven’t taken part in any competitions yet.
“Then there are also those who fly down from abroad for short camps and consultations.”
_____________
Zahra Lari stars in Nike Campaign
_____________
Nels Ireholm is one of those pupils. From Sweden, he placed sixth in the Swedish Junior Championship last December.
Meriana Rihia-Tamaki, 11, who lives with her parents in Abu Dhabi, represented New Zealand in the South Island Figure Skating Championship 2019.
“I have been training here for more than five years and want to become a national figure skater for New Zealand,” Miriana said.
Training on ice was severely disrupted after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the refurbishment of the Zayed Sports City Ice Rink.
“Unfortunately we have been unable to train on ice since March,” Kovalov said. “Hopefully, we may start from September when the ice rink is ready to reopen after the refurbishing.
“Most of the figure skaters train off ice these days. It has of course affected the training and the competitions, in which they were to take part.
“At the moment, we don’t know when the international competitions will resume. We will continue our training off ice to keep them in good shape. Right now, the situation dictates us.
During his time as a figure skater, Kovalov reached the top five in Ukraine as a junior, but decided to take up coaching at 16 years old.
“The competition was too tough back in Ukraine and I got into coaching early as an assistant,” he said. “When I was competing, I had spent around five hours seven days a week.
“The ideal age to start figure skating is from around three to four.
“Skaters come from every age and every level to me and my goal is not only to coach but motivate them.
“Sometimes parents bring their kids just to do the basics. Some parents want their kids to do for recreation and they train twice or thrice a week, but for those who want to reach a higher level, it definitely has to be a daily routine."
Kill%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nikhil%20Nagesh%20Bhat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Lakshya%2C%20Tanya%20Maniktala%2C%20Ashish%20Vidyarthi%2C%20Harsh%20Chhaya%2C%20Raghav%20Juyal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.5%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50
Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)
The specs: 2018 Renault Megane
Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200
Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission Continuously variable transmission
Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
