Abu Dhabi Saracens, in red and black, in action during the Gulf Top Six tournament in February 2015. Delores Johnson / The National
Abu Dhabi Saracens, in red and black, in action during the Gulf Top Six tournament in February 2015. Delores Johnson / The National

UAE’s XVs programme gets fresh legs



The UAE's XVs programme has enjoyed a boost after the squad began preparations for the 2015 Test season five months ahead of the first match.
A group of aspiring national team players met for the first time last week, as Roelof Kotze, the performance manager, looks to build a side to compete in two competitions in Malaysia in the summer.
The national team will be playing in the third division of the new Asian rugby competition structure, along with Malaysia, Thailand and Chinese Taipei in May. The UAE will then play for the first time in the Crescent Cup the following month, also in Kuala Lumpur.
"It is a good thing for us that we have been able to push XVs a little bit more," Kotze said.
"Having more XVs matches is a good vehicle for us to push the game forward.
"Sevens has allowed us to play on the international stage and get guys some experience.
"But the 15-a-side game is an important part of rugby. There are a lot of guys who can't play sevens, and this gives those guys the opportunity to play at international level as well."
Even though the standard of the domestic league has been rapidly improving in the recent past, representative rugby in this country has been on a downward spiral for years.
The national team has suffered successive relegations. Having started in the top flight of Asian rugby, the UAE will be playing third-tier rugby this season.
Much of the malaise has been brought about by poor availability. Since the advent of the UAE team, which took over the Arabian Gulf's place in the Asian Five Nations in 2011, talented players have often opted out.
The reasons quoted have been varied, from standard injury problems, to a frustration with the administration, to an unwillingness to play unwinnable matches against well-resourced nations like Japan and Hong Kong.
However, a new optimism is now sweeping the XVs programme, as a variety of influential players from UAE Premiership clubs have signalled their keenness to be involved.
Paul Hart and Taif Al Delamie, the respective captains when Jebel Ali Dragons won domestic trebles over the past two seasons, have become eligible for selection.
From the capital, Jaen Botes, the imposing captain of Abu Dhabi Saracens, is available, as is Ed Lewsey, from Harlequins.
Botes, the No 8 who has been one of the stand-out players of the Gulf Top Six season, first moved to the UAE with his parents as a child.
After representing the Arabian Gulf at junior level, he moved to the UK to play and study, before returning to the Middle East last year, when he was made captain of Saracens.
"I joined UAE training in Dubai last week and hopefully I am good enough to be picked," said Botes, 24.
"I had a year off from rugby before picking it back up at the start of this season and that hit me back.
"But, hopefully, I can get back to form with the UAE matches coming up."
The new recruits will bolster a player pool which did boast a few successes during the only Test match in 2014, such as Adel Al Hendi and Charlie Sargent, the young wingers.
It is also hoped Adam Telford, the captain when the UAE played against Singapore in last year's lone Test, will also be back fit having suffered a long-term injury lay-off.
"We have worked hard to put the word out there amongst all the players, and after last year's very short season, we really want people involved," Kotze said. "A lot of guys have realised there is an opportunity for them" to play international rugby.
He added: "The vibe at the sessions has been very positive. I hope we can carry that sort of feeling through until the season starts properly."
pradley@thenational.ae
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Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier

ICC Academy, November 22-28

UAE fixtures
Nov 22, v Malaysia
Nov 23, v Hong Kong
Nov 25, v Bhutan
Nov 26, v Kuwait
Nov 28, v Nepal

ICC T20I rankings
14. Nepal
17. UAE
25. Hong Kong
34. Kuwait
35. Malaysia
44. Bhutan 

UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Natasha Cherriath, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Mahika Gaur, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh, Judit Peter, Esha Rohit, Theertha Satish, Chamani Seneviratne, Khushi Sharma, Subha Venkataraman

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Company profile

Company name: Suraasa

Started: 2018

Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker

Based: India, UAE and the UK

Industry: EdTech

Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding

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Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

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Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Three trading apps to try

Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:

  • For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
  • If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
  • Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
  • Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
  • Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
  • Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
 
 
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.