As her new teammates begin their warm-up ahead of training at the ICC Academy, Maryam Omar shows scant concern for the fact her interview is running a little overtime.
The 29-year-old all-rounder is playing for South Coast Sapphires, one of the six teams in a new, T20 franchise cricket tournament being played in Dubai.
It has meant being lobbed together with 15 cricketers from various points around the globe, some of whom might be eminently recognisable off the television, others far less so.
In a pre-training chat, she speaks with unbridled zest – as well as a distinct Australian twang – about a wide range of topics.
From her introduction to the sport from way beyond its mainstream. About a family who remain not-entirely convinced by this weird sport. About leaving home and travelling to the other side of the world to pursue her passion.
And even about the stay-cool, fast-wicking sports hijab that is visible under her Sapphires cap.
“For sport, I like it a little tighter so I can run and dive around, and do all that cool stuff,” Maryam said. “It is breathable, too, so it does not get too hot.
“With hijabs, it is religion based. Some girls take it by choice. I decided to wear it when I was 15, and my parents were very supportive of it.
“It meant I had to adapt to the environment. Kuwait is pretty hot, and we play outdoors. We don’t have any indoor facilities as yet. I am getting used to the temperatures, and managing my energy and fluid levels.
“One positive thing with the hijab is I don’t get sunburnt. The only thing is I get a crease around my face. When I take it off I have really white ears and a brown face.”
The FairBreak Invitational, which will reach its conclusion on May 15 at Dubai International Stadium, is a one-of-a-kind tournament in cricket. Its claim to being the most diverse competition in the sport is unarguable.
The roster of 90 players is drawn from more than 30 countries, with such cricketing backwaters as Botswana, Rwanda and Bhutan all represented.
Maryam is a global grand tour all on her own, a Palestinian who was born and brought up in Kuwait, which is now the country she represents as an international cricketer.
She first learnt cricket while at a Pakistani school in the country, and opted to complete her masters in engineering in Australia after falling in love with the sport.
Her first experience of the game came in 2010, when she was 17, after Kuwait’s national cricket board targeted a number of schools to try to attract girls to play.
“Luckily for me, my mum [Salwa] was in the same school,” she said.
“My sports teacher came and told me that Kuwait Cricket was looking for girls to play in the Under 19 Asia Cup, and I said, ‘What is cricket?’
“I used to play other sports like basketball, swimming and martial arts. My mum just said, ‘Just give it a go. Why not? You might end up playing for national side one day'.
“I rocked up and was the only Arab in the side. I thought it might be hard for me to learn the game, but the coaches were so supportive.
“They helped me grow as a person and as a cricketer. I have loved the game ever since and never looked back.”
Attending a Pakistani school, she did have a vague awareness of cricket, but she says even the rudiments of the game were difficult to grasp at first.
“I used to see boys rolling their arm around, and I might have heard of cricket, but I never knew it was a big thing,” she said.
“My sports teacher told me it was the national sport in Pakistan, and that everyone loves it in Pakistan.
“They approached mum and said, ‘She is a really good athlete, you can transfer those skills into different sports, so she could pick it up really easily'.
“I said I’d give it a go. I played for two years for the Kuwaiti side without understanding the rules much. I was really just an expert fielder, like, ‘See ball, catch ball.’
“And every time I caught a ball, I thought it was a wicket for myself. I was celebrating every little thing - which was nice, obviously.
“It was just the start for me in cricket. I was learning the rules as I went. Even now, I am still learning. I was just so fortunate I was able to make that move to Australia to help develop myself as a cricketer.”
She became aware Australia was arguably cricket’s No 1 destination by dint of the fact her coaches in Kuwait – all Pakistanis and Indians – raved about it.
Her first sight of women playing the sport was via TV in a cricket equipment shop in Kuwait, which was tuned into Australia’s domestic T20 competition, the WBBL.
“I was like, ‘There is actually franchise cricket around the world [for women]?’ That is when a dream started to form for me. I wanted to play in the Big Bash.
“At my level, obviously there are a lot of challenges and a lot of competition. But I am all up for competition. I like to take on a challenge. It helps push me further.”
She dovetailed cricket with studying for an engineering degree in Kuwait. When she was offered the chance to complete her studies at the Melbourne campus of the Central Queensland University, she jumped at it.
“My father [Osama] was never willing to compromise on education,” she said.
“He said, ‘Look, you can do your thing [cricket] so long as you keep a good record at university and get As.’ I took that as a challenge.
“I managed to do that, got straight As, and got a scholarship to continue my masters degree in Australia. I said, ‘God is talking to me right now. This is for my cricket.’
“I decided to take that opportunity to develop myself as a cricketer. I am really passionate and mad about cricket.
“I took it as a new challenge, having to leave my family back at home and start a new life in Australia. But I was so focused on the game. That is what kept me going.”
As a full-time engineer in Melbourne, she is thankful to supportive employers for being able to travel back to the Middle East to play for Kuwait – as she did in Oman last month – and for the FairBreak tournament in Dubai. Juggling work and play can be costly, though.
“Obviously there is no compromise on work, but I do my hours then go to training,” she said.
“Not being a paid professional, there are times when I struggle with leave and sponsoring myself.
“It is a challenge for any player at the associate level. It is only going to push the game further if players like us make those compromises. We want to make it easier for the players to come.”
She wants to blaze a trail, but not everyone has been keen to follow just yet. So far her sisters - Amal, Zuhoor and Budoor – have been reluctant about the merits of cricket.
“None of them play sports - they actually think it’s for boys,” Maryam said.
“It is against social norms. Where we come from, sports are not a thing. But things are changing. I am trying to push boundaries as much as I can and push barriers, and be the change, because we need things to change.
“My sisters call me the tomboy, because it is something we don’t really do back at home. They are into shopping, fashion, food. I’m slightly different. Or a lot different, really.”
As such, when she told her family she had been recruited to play with and against the leading players in the world in the FairBreak tournament, it was met with ambivalence.
“They are really mad about football, so I try to tell them it’s equal to Fifa in football, but [father Osama] still doesn’t relate to it,” she said.
“He’s like, ‘Yeah, whatever, just do your thing.’ But mum is very supportive as well. It is good to have a strict dad because I have learnt to manage my time and push my limits.
“My mum was always the one I had to talk to so she could talk to my dad to support me even further. Even though she doesn’t understand the rules she says, ‘If there’s a game, just send me the link and I’ll watch. I’ll support you whatever.’”
Match info:
Portugal 1
Ronaldo (4')
Morocco 0
Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Results
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m; Winner: MM Al Balqaa, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Qaiss Aboud (trainer)
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mujeeb, Richard Mullen, Salem Al Ketbi
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard
So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest
Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.
Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.
Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.
Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.
Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.
Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,400m. Winner: Rio Angie, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 1,600m. Winner: Trenchard, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m. Winner: Mulfit, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 1,200m. Winner: Waady, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 2,000m. Winner: Tried And True, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
9.25pm:Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m. Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
