Opening day UAE Premiership fixtures, Friday, September 22:
- Dubai Sports City Eagles v Dubai Exiles
- Dubai Hurricanes v Abu Dhabi Saracens
- Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
When Sean Carey and Josh Ives decided to branch out on their own and start a new rugby club earlier this summer, it will not have been long before they felt lonely.
At the first training session of the Dubai Sports City Eagles, there were seven players, other than Carey, the founder, and Ives, the rugby development manager.
Just enough to run a sevens team, then, but hardly anything like the numbers required to man a fully functioning club with aspirations of competing at Premiership level.
At that point, the duo of UAE international players might have been wondering quite what they had done, and been mulling the best way to ask their former clubs if they would kindly think about having them back.
Not so. A little under two months later, the Eagles took to the practice field for the first time on Monday evening.
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At the 7pm start, 44 players – 32 male and 12 female – were lined up, listening to instruction from Pat Benson, the team’s new coach.
The recently relaid turf on which they trod looked immaculate. As the sun set behind the apartment blocks of the neighbouring Canal Residence, and the floodlights took full effect, this felt like the place to be.
It is fair to say, the Eagles have landed on their feet at Sports City.
“Over the past few weeks it has grown and grown and grown,” Carey said. “The ladies have been a great addition. Hopefully it will continue to grow like this.”
The Eagles’ arrival has not been without its complications for UAE rugby. Some of the kit on show at the opening night of training was a clue to that.
Shirts of Dubai Wasps, the club who were forced to fold last week because of insurmountable running costs, were the best represented among an eclectic mix of colours that also included a number in Dubai Sharks shirts or shorts.
The Eagles have more recruits in mind, standouts from the Premiership who they hope might want to try their luck at a fresh, new venture.
The most notable arrival to date is Conor Coakley, the former Dubai Hurricanes second-row forward, who has been appointed as the club captain.
The 32-year-old lock did not play at all last season, as he recuperated from a shoulder injury. He is a close friend of Carey’s, and signed up after months of deliberations.
“I know Sean has been very excited about this for a while now, but he left it to me to make my own decision,” Coakley said.
“I’m very excited to join. I was with Hurricanes for the past few years, and it wasn’t an easy decision to leave, because they are a great club and I have a lot of friends there.
“But now I am looking forward to new beginnings at a brand new club, and I think I can make a big impact here.”
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The Eagles know they will be giving away much in the way of established infrastructure, membership numbers, and history to their rivals when they kick off life in the West Asia Premiership next month.
The Exiles, their opening day opponents, turned 50 last season. Jebel Ali Dragons are about to turn 25, and Dubai Hurricanes are nearly 20.
But Coakley says the opportunity to be part of something new is part of the attraction.
“We know we are going to face a big challenge, up against the best teams in the UAE and the region this season, but we are trying to build a real club here,” Coakley said.
“It is open to all; everyone is welcome. It is a young team. Being here from the beginning, all the players feel like they are part of something big, and they can see how it is going to develop over the next few years.
“The club is going to grow, and we are the ones dictating how that is going to happen. We are able to bring a fresh perspective into Gulf rugby.”
The management team say all aspiring players are welcome to come and try out. New recruits will have no obligation to pay an annual subscription until the eve of the season, by which time it is hoped they will know whether it is the club for them.
The club already benefits from passing traffic, given its proximity to the residences of new Dubai. Their field is inside a running track where athletics clubs and boot camps going about their own activities. On another part of the facility, the UAE Rugby referees were undergoing their own pre-season training.
“People can see what we are doing,” Carey said. “I just saw an Exiles guy doing the boot camp. I was talking to him and he said, ‘I might bring my boots next time, rather than doing boot camp’.
“He retired last year, but hopefully we can change his mind and get him to come down. We want club people like that.”
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
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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
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
Results
1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000
2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000
3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
The specs
Engine: 2.2-litre, turbodiesel
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Power: 160hp
Torque: 385Nm
Price: Dh116,900
On sale: now
Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
Netherlands v UAE, Twenty20 International series
Saturday, August 3 - First T20i, Amstelveen
Monday, August 5 – Second T20i, Amstelveen
Tuesday, August 6 – Third T20i, Voorburg
Thursday, August 8 – Fourth T20i, Vooryburg
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
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The Cairo Statement
1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations
2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred
3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC
4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.
5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.
6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security
UAE gold medallists:
Omar Al Suweidi (46kg), Khaled Al Shehhi (50kg), Khalifa Humaid Al Kaabi (60kg), Omar Al Fadhli (62kg), Mohammed Ali Al Suweidi (66kg), Omar Ahmed Al Hosani (73), all in the U18’s, and Khalid Eskandar Al Blooshi (56kg) in the U21s.
Super Saturday race card
4pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 | US$350,000 | (Dirt) | 1,200m
4.35pm: Al Bastakiya Listed | $300,000 | (D) | 1,900m
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 | $350,000 | (Turf) | 1,200m
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 | $350,000 | (D) | 1,600m
6.20pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 | $300,000 | (T) | 2,410m
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 | $600,000 | (D) | 2,000m
7.30pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 | $400,000 | (T) | 1,800m
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
Opening day UAE Premiership fixtures, Friday, September 22:
- Dubai Sports City Eagles v Dubai Exiles
- Dubai Hurricanes v Abu Dhabi Saracens
- Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
