UAE football star Omar Abdulrahman has challenged Rafael Nadal to a game of tennis when the Spaniard is in Abu Dhabi for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC) later this month.
Al Ain captain Abdulrahman has enjoyed a personally successful 2016. He was named the Asian Player of the Year for his role in his club’s march to the Asian Champions League final and in the UAE’s progression to the final round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
He may be one of the finest football talents in Asia, but Abdulrahman is keen to test his tennis skills against one of the world’s top players.
Read more:
■ Roger Federer: Will broadcast Dubai training session live to thank fans for support
■ MWTC info guide: Line-up, tickets, and general information for the 2016 tournament
■ Tomas Berdych: Ready for Rafael Nadal 'test' at Mubadala World Tennis Championship
Nadal, 30, will be attempting to defend his MWTC title and will take on Czech world No 10 Tomas Berdych in the second quarter-final on the tournament’s opening day on December 29. Their match follows the first quarter-final between France’s world No 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and world No 11 David Goffin from Belgium. The action takes place at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City.
In a recorded video message ahead of the tournament, Abdulrahman said he hopes to show former world No 1 “a thing or two” on the tennis court.
“It’s great to be here in Abu Dhabi ahead of what will no doubt be another show-stopping tournament, looking at the incredible line-up this year,” Abdulrahman, 25, said.
“I really enjoy watching tennis, especially the level of talented sportsmen that play at Mubadala World Tennis Championship year-after-year. I like how Rafa plays and wish him the best of luck in the tournament.”
Completing the MWTC line-up is world No 1 Andy Murray, who will face the winner of Tsonga’s match with Goffin, and world No 3 Milos Raonic, who will take on either Nadal or Berdych.
Asked to predict who will win the tournament, Abdulrahman said it will be “too close to call”.
For more information and about the 2016 Mubadala Tennis World Championship and for tickets, visit: www.mubadalawtc.com.
SCHEDULE
Day 1 — December 29 (from 5pm)
Quarter-final 1: David Goffin v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Quarter-final 2: Rafael Nadal v Tomas Berdych
Day 2 — December 30 (from 5pm)
Semi-final 1: Andy Murray vs Tsonga/Goffin
Semi-final 2: Milos Raonic vs Nadal/Berdych
Day 3 — December 31
3rd/4th place play-off (1pm)
Final (3pm)
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Key findings of Jenkins report
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- 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."
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THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
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The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
SERIE A FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Roma v Udinese (5pm)
SPAL v Napoli (8pm)
Juventus v Torino (10.45pm)
Sunday
Sampdoria v AC Milan (2.30pm)
Inter Milan v Genoa (5pm)
Crotone v Benevento (5pm)
Verona v Lazio (5pm)
Cagliari v Chievo (5pm)
Sassuolo v Bologna (8pm)
Fiorentina v Atalanta (10.45pm)
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
Results
Female 49kg: Mayssa Bastos (BRA) bt Thamires Aquino (BRA); points 0-0 (advantage points points 1-0).
Female 55kg: Bianca Basilio (BRA) bt Amal Amjahid (BEL); points 4-2.
Female 62kg: Beatriz Mesquita (BRA) v Ffion Davies (GBR); 10-2.
Female 70kg: Thamara Silva (BRA) bt Alessandra Moss (AUS); submission.
Female 90kg: Gabreili Passanha (BRA) bt Claire-France Thevenon (FRA); submission.
Male 56kg: Hiago George (BRA) bt Carlos Alberto da Silva (BRA); 2-2 (2-0)
Male 62kg: Gabriel de Sousa (BRA) bt Joao Miyao (BRA); 2-2 (2-1)
Male 69kg: Paulo Miyao (BRA) bt Isaac Doederlein (USA); 2-2 (2-2) Ref decision.
Male 77kg: Tommy Langarkar (NOR) by Oliver Lovell (GBR); submission.
Male 85kg: Rudson Mateus Teles (BRA) bt Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE); 2-2 (1-1) Ref decision.
Male 94kg: Kaynan Duarte (BRA) bt Adam Wardzinski (POL); submission.
Male 110kg: Joao Rocha (BRA) bt Yahia Mansoor Al Hammadi (UAE); submission.
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
