DUBAI // Hosting the World Cup in Asia in either 2018 or 2022 is "a priority" for Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the Bahrain FA president who is bidding to become West Asia's Fifa executive committee representative.
Sheikh Salman is challenging the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed bin Hammam, of Qatar, for his seat on Fifa's main decision-making body. If he is successful, he will lobby the governing body to bring the international game's main event to Asia for the first time since Japan and South Korea co-hosted it in 2002.
Four Asian nations - Qatar, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea - plus Australia, who are also now part of the AFC, are set to tender bids for the 2018 event. The vote will be taken in December 2010.
"It is a priority," said Sheikh Salman. "The tournament staged by Asia in 2002 was a huge success.
"A lot of countries are capable of staging a World Cup, and the future is Asia. Football here is huge, and I feel Asia deserves to stage a World Cup in 2018 or 2022."
Sheikh Salman will be well placed to forward Asia's credentials if he does unseat bin Hammam from the executive committee.
It is the first time bin Hammam has been challenged since he won the Fifa seat in 1996 - the same year Sheikh Salman was elected Bahrain's national team chairman.
When considering the state of football on the continent, Sheikh Salman said: "There is a lot to be done, especially when you consider two-thirds of the world's population are in Asia. There has been a lot of development in this sport in the past in Asia, but more needs to be focused on, as well.
"The level of football in many countries in Asia has developed a lot as well. There aren't any easy teams anymore.
"You don't see winning scores by a large margin very often, and if they come they are uncommon. This shows there has been a lot of effort put in to football in Asia. I hope that by hosting a World Cup in 2018 or 2022, it would give more support to focus on the game."
Sheikh Salman, a keen Manchester United fan who spent part of his education in London, has garnered much support for his executive committee candidacy already.
Of his decision to stand against bin Hammam, he said: "The question is why not? We are living in a democracy in Asia, and it is the right for any person to run.
"If you feel you have support in Asia, and there are countries willing to support you, there is nothing wrong with giving it a try.
"He has been there for some time and people will judge him on what he did in the past. I'm sure there are people who approve of his work and there are people who will not.
"In my case, I don't want to talk about what I will be able to do. I have the confidence that I can do things in a different way, hopefully I can win the votes that are opposed to me this time in this term."
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Company name: Hoopla
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Founder: Jacqueline Perrottet
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Company: Eco Way
Started: December 2023
Founder: Ivan Kroshnyi
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Industry: Electric vehicles
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UAE - India ties
The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner after the US and China
Annual bilateral trade between India and the UAE has crossed US$ 60 billion
The UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India
Indians comprise the largest community with 3.3 million residents in the UAE
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first visited the UAE in August 2015
His visit on August 23-24 will be the third in four years
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited India in February 2016
Sheikh Mohamed was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2017
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Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes
Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.
Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.
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The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
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Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
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Noor Dubai Foundation
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Jonathan Miller, Scribe Publications
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