• Mike Ballard took delivery of a new kayak ergometer this week, as his bid to compete at the Paralympics in Tokyo received a boost from Abu Dhabi Harlequins. Courtesy: Mike Ballard
    Mike Ballard took delivery of a new kayak ergometer this week, as his bid to compete at the Paralympics in Tokyo received a boost from Abu Dhabi Harlequins. Courtesy: Mike Ballard
  • The kayak ergometer Mike Ballard is using in his bid to compete at the Paralympics in Tokyo. Courtesy: Mike Ballard
    The kayak ergometer Mike Ballard is using in his bid to compete at the Paralympics in Tokyo. Courtesy: Mike Ballard
  • Mike Ballard's received unexpected support from Abu Dhabi Harlequins. Courtesy: Mike Ballard
    Mike Ballard's received unexpected support from Abu Dhabi Harlequins. Courtesy: Mike Ballard
  • Mike Ballard took delivery of a new kayak ergometer this week. Courtesy: Mike Ballard
    Mike Ballard took delivery of a new kayak ergometer this week. Courtesy: Mike Ballard
  • Mike Ballard is aiming to compete for the United States in the 200-metre kayak sprint at the Paralympics in Tokyo next year. Victor Besa / The National
    Mike Ballard is aiming to compete for the United States in the 200-metre kayak sprint at the Paralympics in Tokyo next year. Victor Besa / The National
  • Former Abu Dhabi Harlequins rugby player Mike Ballard has been forced to improvise as he aims to represent US at the Paralympics. Victor Besa / The National
    Former Abu Dhabi Harlequins rugby player Mike Ballard has been forced to improvise as he aims to represent US at the Paralympics. Victor Besa / The National
  • Abu Dhabi man Mike Ballard is hoping to represent the US team in the Paralympics in Tokyo. Victor Besa / The National
    Abu Dhabi man Mike Ballard is hoping to represent the US team in the Paralympics in Tokyo. Victor Besa / The National
  • Mike Ballard is hoping to complete his remarkable 'underdog' story with an appearance at the Tokyo Paralympics. Victor Besa/The National
    Mike Ballard is hoping to complete his remarkable 'underdog' story with an appearance at the Tokyo Paralympics. Victor Besa/The National
  • Mike Ballard had built his own kayak machine on the balcony of his Abu Dhabi apartment as he continues to train for the Paralympics despite the coronavirus restrictions. Courtesy Mike Ballard
    Mike Ballard had built his own kayak machine on the balcony of his Abu Dhabi apartment as he continues to train for the Paralympics despite the coronavirus restrictions. Courtesy Mike Ballard
  • Mike Ballard had built his own kayak machine on the balcony of his Abu Dhabi apartment. But he has now been loaned a top-of-the-range kayak ergometer by a player he used to coach at Harlequins. Courtesy Mike Ballard
    Mike Ballard had built his own kayak machine on the balcony of his Abu Dhabi apartment. But he has now been loaned a top-of-the-range kayak ergometer by a player he used to coach at Harlequins. Courtesy Mike Ballard
  • Mike Ballard is aiming to represent US at the Paralympics. Victor Besa / The National
    Mike Ballard is aiming to represent US at the Paralympics. Victor Besa / The National
  • Mike Ballard got paralysed waist down after a rugby incident in 2014. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
    Mike Ballard got paralysed waist down after a rugby incident in 2014. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
  • Mike Ballard got paralysed waist down in 2014 and has shifted his focus to kayaking. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
    Mike Ballard got paralysed waist down in 2014 and has shifted his focus to kayaking. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

Mike Ballard's Tokyo Paralympics preparations receive unexpected support from Abu Dhabi Harlequins


Paul Radley
  • English
  • Arabic

Mike Ballard’s bid to compete at next year’s Paralympics in Tokyo has been handed a boost from a familiar source.

The former Abu Dhabi Harlequins rugby player is aiming to compete for the United States in the 200-metre kayak sprint at the Games, which have been postponed by a year because of coronavirus.

Since beaches were closed in the UAE in response to the pandemic, Ballard has been forced to get creative with his training.

He had been using a homemade static kayak, using resistance bands and raised on blocks of wood, on the balcony of his apartment in Al Zeina.

Now, though, he has been loaned a top-of-the-range kayak ergometer by a player he used to coach at Harlequins.

“For me and my coaching staff, we are hustling through it and trying to do it ourselves – but at the same time relying on the community, too,” Ballard, 35, said.

“Out of the blue, I got a text from one of the rugby guys saying he had something I might be interested in.

“It was something I’d spoken to with my coaching team as this being something I needed to get done.

“With not being able to get on the water, it meant that this really needs to happen now. [The homemade kayak] was an intermediate step until I got an actual erg.”

Ballard took delivery of the kayak ergometer on Sunday, and said “it feels like Christmas”.

The new piece of equipment had been in storage since it was used as part of a fitness challenge at an event related to the Special Olympics in the capital last year.

Dan Shields, who was a key figure in the Abu Dhabi Harlequins third team that won the third-tier of domestic rugby two seasons ago, had read about Ballard’s home training methods last week.

He knew that his event company, BSL Middle East, had two devices that might suit his former rugby coach’s needs.

“When I saw the article I thought it seemed silly for Mike to be doing that when we have a couple of these,” Shields said.

“We will use it for future events, but obviously at the moment the events industry is at a standstill.

“But I think my manager, Nancy Power, will be happy for Mike to keep using it until next year to keep his preparations going.”

It feels like Christmas

Shields said he had no idea about kayaking himself, or the merits of the equipment he has passed on.

“When I initially contacted Mike, I said, ‘This may be helpful for you, or you might be better off using your homemade one’,” Shields said.

“I didn’t know anything about it, but Mike said it was ideal.

"The company we had ordered them from had said they had an association with previous Olympics, so I’d guessed it was quite good kit. I’m glad we could help.”

Ballard has only used a proper kayak machine once before, at a Team USA training camp in San Diego last year.

He said he had inquired about having one imported in recent weeks, but could not find one that his coach felt would be suitable.

“Since they shut the beaches down, I have been in touch with importers and exporters, trying to find certain makes and models,” Ballard said.

“My coach has actually shot down a couple of the ones that I would have been able to get shipped in here, but he was really pleased with this one.

“Now I’m excited to sit down with him virtually and over the phone, and come up with a training regimen.

“He’ll have a better idea about what training on an erg is like and what I should be doing.

“It is a very specialised piece of equipment. The only place you would see it would be at a high-end kayaker’s place, or at a kayaking club.

“That is why it was so unexpected to get one via a WhatsApp at the rugby club. I’m excited about it.”

UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGold%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMagomedomar%20Magomedomarov%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20%2B100kg%0D%3Cbr%3EKhaled%20Al%20Shehi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-62kg%0D%3Cbr%3EFaisal%20Al%20Ketbi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-85kg%0D%3Cbr%3EAsma%20Al%20Hosani%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-52kg%0D%3Cbr%3EShamma%20Al%20Kalbani%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-63kg%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESilver%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EOmar%20Al%20Marzooqi%20%E2%80%93%20Equestrian%20%E2%80%93%20Individual%20showjumping%0D%3Cbr%3EBishrelt%20Khorloodoi%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-52kg%0D%3Cbr%3EKhalid%20Al%20Blooshi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-62kg%0D%3Cbr%3EMohamed%20Al%20Suwaidi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-69kg%0D%3Cbr%3EBalqees%20Abdulla%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-48kg%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBronze%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EHawraa%20Alajmi%20%E2%80%93%20Karate%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20kumite%20-50kg%0D%3Cbr%3EAhmed%20Al%20Mansoori%20%E2%80%93%20Cycling%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20omnium%0D%3Cbr%3EAbdullah%20Al%20Marri%20%E2%80%93%20Equestrian%20%E2%80%93%20Individual%20showjumping%0D%3Cbr%3ETeam%20UAE%20%E2%80%93%20Equestrian%20%E2%80%93%20Team%20showjumping%0D%3Cbr%3EDzhafar%20Kostoev%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-100kg%0D%3Cbr%3ENarmandakh%20Bayanmunkh%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-66kg%0D%3Cbr%3EGrigorian%20Aram%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-90kg%0D%3Cbr%3EMahdi%20Al%20Awlaqi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-77kg%0D%3Cbr%3ESaeed%20Al%20Kubaisi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-85kg%0D%3Cbr%3EShamsa%20Al%20Ameri%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-57kg%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm

Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km

Price: From Dh796,600

On sale: now

Keep it fun and engaging

Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.

“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.

His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.

He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

MEYDAN RESULTS

6.30pm Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh125,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

Winner ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer).          

7.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner  Galaxy Road, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.

7.40pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m

Winner  Al Modayar, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh170,000 (D) 1,900m

Winner  Gundogdu, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.

8.50pm Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 (D)1,200m

Winner  Lady Parma, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar

10pm Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m

Winner Zaajer, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
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%3Cp%3ECreator%3A%20Tima%20Shomali%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0Tara%20Abboud%2C%C2%A0Kira%20Yaghnam%2C%20Tara%20Atalla%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

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Getting%20there%20
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Match info

Premier League

Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)