With the scorching midday sun beating down on the Abu Dhabi Corniche and a wave-shaped plaza in front of them, the skateboarders were ready for action.
More than 30 fans of the sport turned out yesterday to show off their skills on four wheels as the UAE joined in the worldwide celebration of Go Skateboarding Day.
Among those taking part in the "best trick" competition was Donald Daniel, 14, the only participant from Abu Dhabi, with the rest making their way from Dubai - by bus.
Jan Hoffmann, a 14-year-old from Germany who has taken part in three Go Skateboarding Days, said: "It's cool to be able to skate with everyone when it's normally only skating with five other people, so it's great to meet up with everyone in Abu Dhabi and Dubai."
Enthusiasts performed at four separate locations in the capital and Dubai as part of the annual event encouraging skaters to help promote the sport. There are an estimated 1,000 skateboarders in the UAE.
Kader Hadri, the marketing manager for Rage skate shop, which has outlets in Dubai and which organised the event, said: "It's just fun. It's an investment in the scene, it isn't about competition or prize. It just gets the kids out skateboarding."
The group began at the Abu Dhabi Corniche, then headed to another area for a further round of stunts. Travelling back to Dubai, the skaters showcased their skills at two locations in the city.
Majid Fouz, 17, originally from Syria but now living in Sharjah, was among those that met near the Union Metro station in Deira to show off their stunts. He meets a group of friends to skate every night at the city's Gold Souq.
"It's the only place you can skate," he said, adding that he'd like to see a skate park built in the emirate.
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
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Power: 320bhp
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Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
What the law says
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.
