The Dubai Police team that won this year's UAE Swat Challenge. Photo: Wam
The Dubai Police team that won this year's UAE Swat Challenge. Photo: Wam
The Dubai Police team that won this year's UAE Swat Challenge. Photo: Wam
The Dubai Police team that won this year's UAE Swat Challenge. Photo: Wam

Dubai Police crowned champions of UAE Swat Challenge 2024


  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai Police have been crowned the winners of this year's UAE Swat Challenge.

Dubai Police B team won the event with 325 points and Dubai Police A team came second with 303 points, state news agency Wam reported. The Sardar team from Kazakhstan were third, scoring 302 points.

The UAE Swat Challenge is organised by the Dubai Police and held under the patronage of Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

The fifth annual event concluded on Wednesday at the Dubai Police training centre in Al Ruwayyah, with 11 squads from the UAE taking place.

Eighty seven teams from 48 countries participated, up from 55 last year, with prizes totalling Dh1 million ($272,000).

The challenge categories were tactical, assault, officer rescue, tower event and obstacle course.

In the obstacle challenge, the RNP Swat team from Rwanda won with 52 points, while teams from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan came in second and third with scores of 51 and 50, respectively.

Maj Gen Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, assistant commander-in-chief for operations affairs at Dubai Police, awarded the top 10 finishers their trophies during a ceremony held on Wednesday.

The Abu Dhabi Police women's team made their debut in this year's competition.

"The decision to form the all-women team was made last year with the goal to excel on both local and global stages," Lobna Elhalawani, fitness trainer for the force's elite F7 Directorate, told The National earlier this week.

Other all-women teams included squads from Chile, Belarus and Thailand.

The UAE Swat Challenge aims to promote co-operation and understanding between international Swat teams and highlight best practices.

It first started in 2019 and involves teams from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and the Ministry of Interior, as well as squads from overseas.

The tests are designed to assess tactical skills, mental focus and physical endurance.

UAE Swat Challenge 2024 – in pictures

  • Leading the Dubai women's team at the UAE Swat Challenge this year is 2nd Lt Afra Hareb Al Nuaimi, 27. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Leading the Dubai women's team at the UAE Swat Challenge this year is 2nd Lt Afra Hareb Al Nuaimi, 27. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • The Abu Dhabi Police women’s team at the UAE Swat Challenge, held at Dubai Police training centre, in Al Ruwayyah. Pawan Singh/ The National
    The Abu Dhabi Police women’s team at the UAE Swat Challenge, held at Dubai Police training centre, in Al Ruwayyah. Pawan Singh/ The National
  • The Abu Dhabi women’s team is taking part in the Challenge for the first time. Pawan Singh/ The National
    The Abu Dhabi women’s team is taking part in the Challenge for the first time. Pawan Singh/ The National
  • The Abu Dhabi Police women’s team take on an obstacle course. Pawan Singh/ The National
    The Abu Dhabi Police women’s team take on an obstacle course. Pawan Singh/ The National
  • Lobna Elhalawani is the fitness trainer of the Abu Dhabi Police women’s team. Pawan Singh/ The National
    Lobna Elhalawani is the fitness trainer of the Abu Dhabi Police women’s team. Pawan Singh/ The National
  • The Abu Dhabi Police women’s team had three months of extensive training before the Challenge. Pawan Singh/ The National
    The Abu Dhabi Police women’s team had three months of extensive training before the Challenge. Pawan Singh/ The National
  • The Abu Dhabi Police women’s team hope to inspire more female police officers. Pawan Singh/ The National
    The Abu Dhabi Police women’s team hope to inspire more female police officers. Pawan Singh/ The National
  • The Abu Dhabi Police women’s team say they are determined in their quest to win the Challenge. Pawan Singh/ The National
    The Abu Dhabi Police women’s team say they are determined in their quest to win the Challenge. Pawan Singh/ The National
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKinetic%207%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rick%20Parish%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Clean%20cooking%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
  • Grade 9 = above an A*
  • Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
  • Grade 7 = grade A
  • Grade 6 = just above a grade B
  • Grade 5 = between grades B and C
  • Grade 4 = grade C
  • Grade 3 = between grades D and E
  • Grade 2 = between grades E and F
  • Grade 1 = between grades F and G
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

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • 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."
VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Boulder shooting victims

• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65

The bio

Favourite vegetable: Broccoli

Favourite food: Seafood

Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange

Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania

Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.

Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes

Brahmastra%3A%20Part%20One%20-%20Shiva
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAyan%20Mukerji%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERanbir%20Kapoor%2C%20Alia%20Bhatt%20and%20Amitabh%20Bachchan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Company Profile

Company name: NutriCal

Started: 2019

Founder: Soniya Ashar

Based: Dubai

Industry: Food Technology

Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount

Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia

Total Clients: Over 50

The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos

Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km

Mission%3A%20Impossible%20-%20Dead%20Reckoning%20Part%20One
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Christopher%20McQuarrie%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tom%20Cruise%2C%20Hayley%20Atwell%2C%20Pom%20Klementieff%2C%20Simon%20Pegg%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

THE SPECS

Engine: 4.4-litre V8

Transmission: Automatic

Power: 530bhp 

Torque: 750Nm 

Price: Dh535,000

On sale: Now

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

The team

Videographer: Jear Velasquez 

Photography: Romeo Perez 

Fashion director: Sarah Maisey 

Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory 

Models: Meti and Clinton at MMG 

Video assistant: Zanong Maget 

Social media: Fatima Al Mahmoud  

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Updated: February 08, 2024, 4:46 AM