• A boy wearing a face mask takes his dogs on a stroll on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    A boy wearing a face mask takes his dogs on a stroll on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A Covid-19 safety sign on Al Qahirah street in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    A Covid-19 safety sign on Al Qahirah street in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Checkers line up at the entrance of Global Village with masks and face shields. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Checkers line up at the entrance of Global Village with masks and face shields. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Abu Dhabi residents on their Friday morning fitness ritual. Victor Besa / The National
    Abu Dhabi residents on their Friday morning fitness ritual. Victor Besa / The National
  • Bridal facemask at Contessa Bridal Dubai in City Walk in Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Bridal facemask at Contessa Bridal Dubai in City Walk in Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • An employee at The Meydan Hotel in Dubai sanitises the reception area to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    An employee at The Meydan Hotel in Dubai sanitises the reception area to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A lifeguard at The Meydan Hotel with a mask on to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A lifeguard at The Meydan Hotel with a mask on to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Hygiene and Covid-19 safety measures take place at a fitness class at Bare. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Hygiene and Covid-19 safety measures take place at a fitness class at Bare. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A lady works on her laptop while wearing a mask at Times Square in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A lady works on her laptop while wearing a mask at Times Square in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • People wear masks to curb the spread of the coronavirus in Satwa, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    People wear masks to curb the spread of the coronavirus in Satwa, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Coronavirus safety measures are taken at 815 Dance & Performing Arts Training Centre in Silicone Oasis in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Coronavirus safety measures are taken at 815 Dance & Performing Arts Training Centre in Silicone Oasis in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A lady takes part in an art installation which comes to life via augmented reality with a mask on to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A lady takes part in an art installation which comes to life via augmented reality with a mask on to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi resumes sports training for children


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Training sessions at sports academies for children aged between 12 and up will resume across the capital.

On Sunday, Abu Dhabi Sports Council said individual and group training sessions could be held again, after months of suspension due to Covid-19.

Group training sessions will be limited to a maximum of two groups of five for team sports.

Precautionary measures remain in place, including regular coronavirus screening for staff and sterilisation of equipment before use.

Participants must also register for training sessions in advance, to avoid crowding.

Prior to beginning training, everyone must have their temperature checked and face masks will be mandatory at all times except during sporting activities.

Girls take part in football practice with PASS Abu Dhabi (ProActive Soccer School), in June 2019. Reem Mohammed / The National
Girls take part in football practice with PASS Abu Dhabi (ProActive Soccer School), in June 2019. Reem Mohammed / The National

Daily logs of player data including contact details and temperature readings must be kept.

Everyone must bring their own personal kit and not share with others. And a distance of two metres must be maintained with stickers placed on the floor to prompt people.

Festivals of any kind and competitions remain prohibited.

Last month, the council lifted a ban on community sport events in the capital but said safety regulations must in place.

These included banning spectators from watching events as well as forbidding under-12s, adults over 60 and people with some chronic diseases from taking part.

All participants must first undergo a test to prove they are virus-free before taking part in events such as running, cycling, triathlons, and open-water swimming and other marine activities.

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic

Power: 169bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Price: Dh54,500

On sale: now

SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net

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if you go

The flights

Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return. 

The trek

Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required. 

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.

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.