Tony Fernandes delighted at taking over a 'fantastic diamond' in QPR



Tony Fernandes has labelled Queens Park Rangers a "fantastic diamond" and pledged to help the club reachtheir "limitless" potential.

The Malaysian businessman completed his takeover of the west London club yesterday after buying out previous majority shareholders Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone.

Fernandes' company, Tune Group, has bought a 66 per cent stake and his business partners will work alongside the Mittal family, who have retained their 33 per cent stake in the club.

The 47 year old believes QPR have huge potential and has vowed to utilise it.

"You are in London, which is fantastic," he said. "The potential of developing this ground at some stage or to another ground nearby is there.

"There is the potential to develop an academy and good training facilities.

"The potential to take QPR to other parts of the world is also there, with Amit [Bhatia]'s relationships and my relationships in Asia. [The potential is] limitless, and it is a fantastic diamond, which just needs a bit of polishing."

The personal fortune of Fernandes was estimated at £200 million in 2010 when he was ranked Malaysia's 19th-richest person.

The AirAsia founder's deal sees vice-chairman Bhatia return to the board after resigning in May following a disagreement with the board over ticket price increases.

Bhatia joined the board as a representative of father-in-law Lakshmi Mittal in 2007, and Fernandes is relieved to have completed the deal.

Fernandes has promised to bring in new faces to the Premier League club before the transfer window closes in a couple of weeks.

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Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being

Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.

As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.

Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.

Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.

Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.

However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.

“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.

People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.

Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier, in Bangkok

UAE fixtures Mon Nov 20, v China; Tue Nov 21, v Thailand; Thu Nov 23, v Nepal; Fri Nov 24, v Hong Kong; Sun Nov 26, v Malaysia; Mon Nov 27, Final

(The winners will progress to the Global Qualifier)

HOW TO WATCH

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Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

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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
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Generation Start-up: Awok company profile

Started: 2013

Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev

Sector: e-commerce

Size: 600 plus

Stage: still in talks with VCs

Principal Investors: self-financed by founder