Abu Dhabi Storms are determined to end the dominance of the Belarus President’s Team at the President’s Cup ice hockey tournament, which gets underway at the Abu Dhabi Ice Rink on Tuesday.
In a move to stop the visitors from claiming a fourth trophy in as many years, the Storms - a side usually made up of Emirati internationals - have recruited six foreign professionals, including three Finns and three Slovenians.
“They are the team to beat and we’ll try our best,” Juma Al Dhaheri, the Storms and UAE captain, said at the launch ceremony in the capital on Sunday.
“It’s not just the Belarus President’s Team. Others in the competition are not pushovers," Al Dhaheri added.
"A majority of the teams have several former NHL [North American-based National Hockey League] and KHL [Eastern European-based Kontinental Hockey League] players in their ranks, and we’ll only know them after seeing them play the first game.
“For us, as local players, it’s a great experience to play at this level, and the reason to bring in some professional players is to match our opponents as well as learn by playing alongside them.”
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The competition played in a league format consists of six teams. The Belarus President’s Team are joined by Hockey Legends from Germany, Parch from Czech Republic and Team Lebanon, a side made up of Canadian expatriates living in Lebanon.
The two local teams challenging them are the Storms and a team representing the Emirates Hockey League - the EHL All Stars.
“The bar is raised every year in this tournament and we expect all teams to be equally strong,” said Al Dhaheri, who is also the general secretary of the UAE Ice Sports Federation.
“It’s also part of our development programme to stage a top-flight competition in the country where hockey fans both local and expatriates can enjoy by witnessing some top quality action on the ice, aside the EHL.”
Belarus President’s Team and Hockey Legends will be the first sides to take to the ice at 5.15pm on Tuesday.
The Storms then face Parch in the second game at 7.15pm and EHL All Stars take on Team Lebanon in the final game at 9.15pm.
Talal Al Hashemi, head of technical affairs at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said the sport has a big following, particularly among Canadians, Americans and Europeans living in the region.
“This tournament has received a strong foundation and we want to build on that every passing year,” he added.
“Hopefully we’ll have teams comprising full professionals which is our long term ambitions.”
Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.
Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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The Disaster Artist
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
Four stars
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
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
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
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All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi
1st ODI, Friday, January 8
2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10
3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12
4th ODI, Thursday, January 14
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Director: JP Dutta
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- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
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Meydan Racecourse racecard:
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes Listed (PA) | Dh175,000 | 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden for 2-year-old fillies (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: The Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 1,600m
8.15pm: Maiden for 2-year-old colts (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,600m
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 2,000m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,600m.
MATCH INFO
Rajasthan Royals 158-8 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 143/7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals won by 15 runs
COMPANY PROFILE
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Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
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Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Our legal consultant
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Joe Root's Test record
Tests: 53; Innings: 98; Not outs: 11; Runs: 4,594; Best score: 254; Average: 52.80; 100s: 11; 50s: 27
