DUBAI // Eisa al Dah will use the recent death of his father as his inspiration when he fights against Ignasi Cabellero Parez, the Spaniard, in the Dubai International Boxing Championship on February 18.
Mohammed Abdullah al Dah passed away on January 20 after suffering from kidney problems -just 28 days before his son's ninth professional bout.
Eisa admits he thought about simply postponing the fight - before considering his father's lifelong dream.
"It is very hard," Eisa said."I wanted to cancel the fight, I don't want to fight, but then I thought about it and said, 'no, this was his dream, to see me fight and to see me become a champion'.
"It is very hard when you lose someone so special, and so close to the fight.
"You want to concentrate because boxing is not an easy sport. It is very, very hard and you have to be fully focused on what you are doing.
"Every moment I think of my father and I tell myself I have to be strong. I have to do this for him because he was so proud of me.
"It was his dream to see me become something in this sport and I will do my best to fulfil it.
"I will fight till the end, just for my father.
"He wanted me to be a big champion. Everywhere he went, he was talking about me. Now I am fighting for him.
"It is so hard to fight, but I want to fight for him. Before I was fighting for the UAE, now I am fighting for my country, my people and for my father."
The bereavement has disturbed Eisa's preparations for the bout, but with the arrival of his coach Anthony Wilson, from the United States, the 32-year-old is hoping to find more encouragement and support as he fights for the first time in the welterweight category.
"My main coach is arriving and he is the best," Eisa, who has fought all his previous bouts in the super lightweight category, said. "He is always pushing me. I spent three months with him in the US and we worked really hard, especially on the mental part.
"He will be here and that will be great. I need him because I feel close to him. He is the one who has changed me, pushed me up a level and I believe I am better boxer than in 2007.
"I have good skills, I am training hard, I have speed and a good punch. I just need more experience. I have a vision and a plan for the future.
"In two or three years, I want to be a world champion. This is my dream and I know it will not be easy, but I have to do it.
"Boxing is my life, it is my destiny now.
"In three years, I want to win one of the big belts. I want to become a world champion for him [his father]. I don't care what the people think or say. I will do my best."
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2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
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2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
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Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Race card
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; 5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; 6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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2.30pm: Handicap Dh 76,000 (D) 1,400m
3pm: Handicap Dh 64,000 (D) 1,200m
3.30pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh 100,000 (D) 1,000m
4pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (D) 1,000m
4.30pm: Handicap 64,000 (D) 1,950m
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Nepal beat United States by 35 runs
Oman beat Nepal by eight wickets
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Arabian Saluki Center of Dubai (Ascod)
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FA Augsburg v SC Freiburg (6.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Werder Bremen (6.30pm)
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Hoffenheim v Wolfsburg (6.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Borussia Monchengladbach (9.30pm)
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James 5'
Slovakia 0
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