There’s no shortage of gaming lounges in the UAE but a newly opened location in Abu Dhabi offers something a little different: it’s entirely for women.
Gaming hub sQuad core, located inside Abu Dhabi Ladies Club, caters exclusively to female gamers, providing a space for women who would like to socialise with others with a shared interest.
The space has a gaming section, complete with specially designed chairs and computers, as well as HyperX headphones, while another area features sofas and chairs, a big screen TV and consoles such as a PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. There are also board games on offer.
The story behind the gaming lounge
Fakhra Khalifah, owner of sQuad Core, says she has always had an interest in gaming thanks to her brothers, but she wanted to meet up with and play with other female gamers.
She says the experience of being able to play together in-person, rather than online, further fuelled that goal of wanting to fill a void that was missing for female gamers.
“While I was in university, my friend and I would play games on our laptops together during breaks, and sometimes we would get together at home, gather all the computers we could, and play in the same room. Having everyone there in real life felt really different than having everyone online,” she says.
“As with a lot of other gamers, I love watching eSports and always dreamt of participating in tournaments. My love for the social and competitive aspect of gaming are what pushed me to start working on sQuad Core Gaming Lounge.”
'Gaming is just like any other hobby'
The gaming lounge opened its doors in February 2020, right before the start of the global pandemic that shuttered businesses.
I believe gaming is just like any other hobby, and in my opinion, hobbies are an important part of a healthy lifestyle
sQuad Core was no different and had to close for three months. However, during that time, the venue started hosting online tournaments and sent out activity kits to members to keep them engaged.
More than a year later, as things begin reopening thanks to the global rollout of vaccines, the Emirati owner is excited for what the future holds as business begins to pick up. She says the gamers are aged anywhere between 12 to 35 and most come with their friends.
“I believe gaming is just like any other hobby and, in my opinion, hobbies are an important part of a healthy lifestyle. For that reason, it would be nice to see more gaming lounges or gaming events to encourage and support female gamers,” Khalifah says.
'We always needed a place like this'
While the gaming hub originally began with a membership programme, they switched to an hourly rate because of people’s schedules during the pandemic. However, there have been requests to reintroduce the membership which they are looking into.
In addition to allowing gamers to play, sQuad Core also hosts an event every month, including tournaments, seasonal events and gaming live streams. In the past, it has held Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Overwatch and Among Us individual and team tournaments.
For those who have visited, such as Rana Malas, the lounge is a much-needed space.
"I used to go into a mixed gaming lounge but I was very uncomfortable whenever I walked in because it was full of guys. It wasn't a girl-friendly environment," says Malas.
And for Khalifah, she's achieved her goal of creating a place for female gamers, where they feel like they belong.
“The reception has been incredible – it seems like the girl gaming community always needed a place like this. A lot of gamers who visit express how happy they are that there’s an all-girls gaming lounge,” she says.
“When I started sQuad Core I intended for it to be comfortable – just like you’re visiting a friend’s house. It pleases me that many gamers do tell us that they feel that way as well.”
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
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FA CUP FINAL
Manchester City 6
(D Silva 26', Sterling 38', 81', 87', De Bruyne 61', Jesus 68')
Watford 0
Man of the match: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
The%20specs
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The nine articles of the 50-Year Charter
1. Dubai silk road
2. A geo-economic map for Dubai
3. First virtual commercial city
4. A central education file for every citizen
5. A doctor to every citizen
6. Free economic and creative zones in universities
7. Self-sufficiency in Dubai homes
8. Co-operative companies in various sectors
9: Annual growth in philanthropy
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QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
