• A packed Victoria Square Fan Festival area as Sir Lenny Henry takes part in the Queen's Baton Relay in Birmingham, before the start of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Getty Images
    A packed Victoria Square Fan Festival area as Sir Lenny Henry takes part in the Queen's Baton Relay in Birmingham, before the start of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Getty Images
  • Sir Lenny holds the baton aloft in Birmingham. Getty Images
    Sir Lenny holds the baton aloft in Birmingham. Getty Images
  • Pedestrians walk across Victoria Square decorated in preparation for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. AP
    Pedestrians walk across Victoria Square decorated in preparation for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. AP
  • The Canadian team train during a 3x3 wheelchair basketball practice session at the Smithfield site. AP
    The Canadian team train during a 3x3 wheelchair basketball practice session at the Smithfield site. AP
  • Scotland's Eilidh Gorrell takes part in a gymnastics training session. AP
    Scotland's Eilidh Gorrell takes part in a gymnastics training session. AP
  • The Vanuatu team at a beach volleyball practice session at the Smithfield site. AP
    The Vanuatu team at a beach volleyball practice session at the Smithfield site. AP
  • Commonwealth Games branding adorns the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, as the city prepares to host the games. Getty Images
    Commonwealth Games branding adorns the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, as the city prepares to host the games. Getty Images
  • A sign post with venue directions in Birmingham. Getty Images
    A sign post with venue directions in Birmingham. Getty Images
  • A security staff member walks through the NEC as the arenas are prepared. Getty Images
    A security staff member walks through the NEC as the arenas are prepared. Getty Images
  • A volunteer takes a photo of the Perry the Bull, the official mascot of the Commonwealth Games, at the NEC. Getty Images
    A volunteer takes a photo of the Perry the Bull, the official mascot of the Commonwealth Games, at the NEC. Getty Images
  • The Bullring & Grand Central Shopping Centre displays Commonwealth Games branding. Getty Images
    The Bullring & Grand Central Shopping Centre displays Commonwealth Games branding. Getty Images
  • Members of the public pose with flags of the Commonwealth in Birmingham. Getty Images
    Members of the public pose with flags of the Commonwealth in Birmingham. Getty Images
  • Pedestrians walk past Commonwealth Games branding in the city centre. Getty Images
    Pedestrians walk past Commonwealth Games branding in the city centre. Getty Images
  • China Town displays a banner declaring Birmingham to be a 'proud host city'. Getty Images
    China Town displays a banner declaring Birmingham to be a 'proud host city'. Getty Images

Commonwealth Games puts the spotlight on England's second city Birmingham


Simon Rushton
  • English
  • Arabic

Critics are calling it the bargain basement games but the opening of the Commonwealth Games on Thursday brings one of the globe's biggest athletics gatherings after the Olympics and World Championships.

More than 5,000 athletes from 72 countries and territories are competing over 11 days in 19 sports and 280 medal events. Organisers have spent just $1 billion on the event that more than a billion people are expected to tune into for the opening ceremony in the English second city. By way of contrast Russia is believed to have spent more than $50 billion staging the Sochi Olympics.

Where are the Commonwealth Games being held?

The Commonwealth Games are being staged in Birmingham in central England, the UK’s second-biggest city which is about 200km north-west of London.

Birmingham was picked after the original host city, Durban in South Africa, pulled out citing financial problems and a failure to deliver on promises made in its organising bid.

The English city was able to step in as a replacement, partly because it was already planning to bid for a future games, and a string of road and infrastructure improvements have been made since the event was moved to Birmingham.

  • Queen Elizabeth II passes the baton to British parasport athlete Kadeena Cox, at the launch of the Queen's Baton Relay for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, at Buckingham Palace. PA
    Queen Elizabeth II passes the baton to British parasport athlete Kadeena Cox, at the launch of the Queen's Baton Relay for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, at Buckingham Palace. PA
  • Kadeena Cox, the first baton-bearer commences the baton's journey back in October 2021, as Queen Elizabeth watches on. AFP
    Kadeena Cox, the first baton-bearer commences the baton's journey back in October 2021, as Queen Elizabeth watches on. AFP
  • Batonbearer-Anthony Okereafor carries the baton on a Marine Police boat on the River Thames, in London. Getty Images
    Batonbearer-Anthony Okereafor carries the baton on a Marine Police boat on the River Thames, in London. Getty Images
  • Lucy Walton holds the baton at the top of the Giants Causeway in Portrush, Northern Ireland. Getty Images
    Lucy Walton holds the baton at the top of the Giants Causeway in Portrush, Northern Ireland. Getty Images
  • Sally Orange carries the baton at Stonehenge. Getty Images
    Sally Orange carries the baton at Stonehenge. Getty Images
  • Founder of the Wave, Nick Hounsfield, holds the baton as he surfs at the centre in Bristol. PA
    Founder of the Wave, Nick Hounsfield, holds the baton as he surfs at the centre in Bristol. PA
  • The Queen's Baton Relay is a relay around the world held before the beginning of the Commonwealth Games. Getty Images
    The Queen's Baton Relay is a relay around the world held before the beginning of the Commonwealth Games. Getty Images
  • Sebastian Prajsnar holds the baton during a visit to The Deep, in Hull. Getty Images
    Sebastian Prajsnar holds the baton during a visit to The Deep, in Hull. Getty Images
  • Jean Dixon is greeted by her mother, Jean Buck, 98, after she carried the baton through Seaham. Getty Images
    Jean Dixon is greeted by her mother, Jean Buck, 98, after she carried the baton through Seaham. Getty Images
  • Aimee Willmott Booker carries the baton into Middlesbrough. Getty Images
    Aimee Willmott Booker carries the baton into Middlesbrough. Getty Images
  • The baton travels by boat during it's journey through Newcastle. Getty Images
    The baton travels by boat during it's journey through Newcastle. Getty Images
  • Beth Tweddle holds the Queen's Baton as it visits Liverpool. Getty Images
    Beth Tweddle holds the Queen's Baton as it visits Liverpool. Getty Images
  • The relay makes it's way to Ironbridge. Getty Images
    The relay makes it's way to Ironbridge. Getty Images
  • Justin Mould and Marnie Woolrich carry the baton on a rollercoaster as it visits Alton Towers. Getty Images
    Justin Mould and Marnie Woolrich carry the baton on a rollercoaster as it visits Alton Towers. Getty Images
  • Parmjit Singh raises the baton in Smethwick, England. Getty Images
    Parmjit Singh raises the baton in Smethwick, England. Getty Images
  • Aaron Ciesar carries the baton along a river in Solihull. Getty Images
    Aaron Ciesar carries the baton along a river in Solihull. Getty Images
  • The Queen's Baton is greeted by a band as it reaches Solihull in Birmingham. Getty Images
    The Queen's Baton is greeted by a band as it reaches Solihull in Birmingham. Getty Images

The main venue is Alexander Stadium, for decades the city’s main athletics home in Perry Barr. Other events are being held at Edgbaston cricket ground and University of Birmingham facilities. In a much watched move. primarily because rivals Pakistan and India are in the same group, women's cricket T20 format will be part of the main competition for the first time.

Birmingham is the fifth UK city to stage a Games after London in 1934, Edinburgh in 1970 and 1986, Manchester in 2002 and Glasgow in 2014.

When do the Games start?

Duran Duran are headlining the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. PA
Duran Duran are headlining the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. PA

Alexander Stadium will host the opening ceremony on Thursday at 8pm and a royally big fanfare can be expected by the viewing audience.

Steven Knight, the brains behind small screen hit show Peaky Blinders, has created the opening ceremony that will be watched by about 30,000 inside the stadium and millions on TV.

Birmingham-born pop giants Duran Duran will headline the opening ceremony.

UB40, another Birmingham-born band, who first found fame in the 1980s, and local rappers Gilly G and Dapz On The Map have recorded Champion, the games’ theme song.

What is on offer for fans and visitors?

Sir Lenny Henry takes part in The Queen's Baton Relay as it visits Birmingham. Getty
Sir Lenny Henry takes part in The Queen's Baton Relay as it visits Birmingham. Getty

For people who can’t make it to see the events live, a festival zone has been set up in Victoria Square — a pedestrianised area of the city centre.

The site will have live music and volunteers helping fans enjoy the games.

The finishing line for the marathon is also at Victoria Square.

Away from the sports, Peaky Blinders was set in Birmingham, Cadbury’s chocolate factory offers tours, while the Black Country Living Museum and the Jaguar Experience, where tours of the car factory take place, are also major attractions in the area.

What are the Commonwealth Games?

Alexander Stadium is the main venue for the Commonwealth Games. PA
Alexander Stadium is the main venue for the Commonwealth Games. PA

The Commonwealth Games features athletes from 72 nations and territories.

It evolved from the pre-Second World War British Empire Games.

Commonwealth states were originally mostly former British Empire colonies but today that condition is not needed for new members.

The first games were held in 1930 as the British Empire Games, featuring 11 countries and 400 athletes.

It has been staged every four years except in 1942 and 1946 because of the war.

Organisers like to call the event the Friendly Games.

What is the Commonwealth?

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent countries and territories, home to 2.5 billion people.

The organisation’s roots were linked to the British Empire but now any country can become a member.

Gabon and Togo, both this year, were the last nations to join.

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COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Rain Management

Year started: 2017

Based: Bahrain

Employees: 100-120

Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund

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The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo

Transmission: CVT

Power: 170bhp

Torque: 220Nm

Price: Dh98,900

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
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

Bio

Age: 25

Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah

Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering

Favourite colour: White

Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai

Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.

First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh1,470,000 (est)
Engine 6.9-litre twin-turbo W12
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 626bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,350rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.0L / 100km

The story of Edge

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.

It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.

Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.

Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab

 

Company profile

Name: Thndr

Started: October 2020

Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: FinTech

Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000

Funding stage: series A; $20 million

Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC,  Rabacap and MSA Capital

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Updated: July 28, 2022, 8:54 AM