The Pro League's two promoted clubs will be aiming to follow the example of Baniyas in establishing themselves as a top-flight force.
The Abu Dhabi team were promoted after the 2008/09 season and finished fourth in 2009/10 and second last term.
Ajman and Emirates are the new boys this season, and they will be hoping to stay for a while. Ajman were up two seasons before being relegated in 2010, and Emirates have been the true yo-yo team: down in 2008, up in 2009, down in 2010, up in 2011.
Judging by their summer recruitment and early season form in the Etisalat Cup, Ajman appear to have the best chance of emulating Baniyas.
They are unbeaten in four Etisalat Cup games and Ibrahima Toure, their Senegalese striker, has impressed in topping the scoring charts with six goals.
"We have had a good start yet it is still very early," said Abdul Ahab Abdul Kader, the Ajman coach. "If we are to do well, which I am confident of, we need to play consistently well throughout the season.
"The club management has invested well in the squad and with some exciting new signings. It is now a matter of continuing with the same kind of performances through the season."
Toure, 25, spearheads Ajman's attack with their Asian player Hassan Maatouk, the Lebanese midfielder who scored both goals for his country in the 2-2 draw with Kuwait in the 2014 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
Olivier Tia, the Ivory Coast forward, and Karim Kerkar, the French-born Algerian international, who moved from Emirates, complete Ajman's foreign quota.
Emirates, on the other hand, have been weakened by the loss of Kerkar and Nabil Daoudi, the Moroccan forward, who joined Dubai.
They were part of the Emirates team who, as a second tier club, impressed in the Asian Champions League last season, finishing third in their group and beating former champions Al Shabab, from Saudi Arabia, along the way.
Ghazi Ghrairi, the club's Tunisian coach acknowledged losing Kerkar was a blow: "He was our playmaker and controlled from the middle. It was his choice to leave and I can only wish him well.
"Our objective is to remain in the Pro League. We have prepared well and will do our best."
[ apassela@thenational.ae ]
The 100 Best Novels in Translation
Boyd Tonkin, Galileo Press
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Klipit
Started: 2022
Founders: Venkat Reddy, Mohammed Al Bulooki, Bilal Merchant, Asif Ahmed, Ovais Merchant
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Digital receipts, finance, blockchain
Funding: $4 million
Investors: Privately/self-funded
