When Majid Al Usaimi was 2 years old, he contracted polio. The life-threatening disease left him disabled and reliant on a wheelchair to get around.
But even as a child, he did not let his difficulties hold him back.
He studied in mainstream schools in Dubai. Later, he worked as manager of Al Thiqah Club in Sharjah, a centre dedicated to hosting social and cultural events for disabled people.
His career continued with a stint as general secretary of the UAE Disabled Sports Federation, before he went on to spearhead the Asian Paralympics Committee.
In this role, he helped to organise the UAE’s participation in the Paralympic Games in Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and London 2012.
Now, he has added another feather to his cap after being appointed the first United Nations Children’s Fund national ambassador for the UAE.
In a ceremony in Dubai on Monday, he accepted the role with pride and spoke of his determination to help society's most marginalised groups.
“Helping children [with disabilities] will be my priority because, when I was 2 years old, I got polio. I live with a disability, and the disability lives with me.
"My first priority will be for those children, because as I know, their challenges are much harder. But, of course, helping all children will be my aim.”
The pandemic has affected billions of children around the world and, for some, the effect will be lifelong because they will never regain the school days lost to the worldwide lockdowns.
According to Unicef, at least 463 million or 31 per cent of schoolchildren around the world cannot be reached by digital and broadcast remote learning programmes.
Mr Al Usaimi said this was a key concern for children in the region.
"I think it is scary. Education was one of the challenges for us – even before this pandemic. Imagine how difficult it must be now, without infrastructure, without virtual learning.
“The years are passing without education for those children, and who are they? They are the generation that will carry us forward.
“This role means I can guarantee we are giving the maximum effort to provide opportunities for those children."
In his new role, on behalf of Unicef, Mr Al Usaimi will help give children a voice and bring their needs to the attention of decision-makers.
He will also contribute to Unicef's advocacy and work to achieve children’s rights, a challenge he takes very personally,
“In some of the countries, they don't believe children with disabilities can do something," he said.
"I will show them myself. I will tell them, 'That's what your kids can be one day; either a champion, or a leader, or a someone.'
“I believe that God will not take something from you without giving you a gift. So every child has a gift. We need to discover this gift. We need to give them the confidence. We need to trust in their ability.
“Let's do some programmes, let's develop their skills, and you will see, a thousand Majid's in-front of you.
“I will not rest to achieve as much as I can in my period as Ambassador.”
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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UAE%20SQUAD
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Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
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Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Notable Yas events in 2017/18
October 13-14 KartZone (complimentary trials)
December 14-16 The Gulf 12 Hours Endurance race
March 5 Yas Marina Circuit Karting Enduro event
March 8-9 UAE Rotax Max Challenge
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Pickford (Everton), Pope (Burnley), Henderson (Manchester United)
Defenders Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Chilwell (Chelsea), Coady (Wolves), Dier (Tottenham), Gomez (Liverpool), James (Chelsea), Keane (Everton), Maguire (Manchester United), Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Mings (Aston Villa), Saka (Arsenal), Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Foden (Manchester City), Henderson (Liverpool), Grealish (Aston Villa), Mount (Chelsea), Rice (West Ham), Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Winks (Tottenham)
Forwards: Abraham (Chelsea), Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Kane (Tottenham), Rashford (Manchester United), Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Sterling (Manchester City)
MATCH INFO
Newcastle 2-2 Manchester City
Burnley 0-2 Crystal Palace
Chelsea 0-1 West Ham
Liverpool 2-1 Brighton
Tottenham 3-2 Bournemouth
Southampton v Watford (late)
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
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The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.