Lionel Messi and Argentina will prepare for the 2022 World Cup with a training camp in Abu Dhabi as part of a partnership between the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and Argentina Football Association (AFA).
The arrival date and training schedule has yet to be revealed but Aref Al Awani, general secretary of ADSC, said it had been made possible through a strategic cooperation agreement with the AFA after months of joint exchange programmes.
“We are overwhelmed with the partnership agreement with the Argentina Football Association,” Al Awani said after completing paperwork in London on Wednesday.
“It’s among our top priority to strengthen our already friendly and strong partnership with international sports federations and institutions as we enhance Abu Dhabi’s global status as a hotspot for hosting a wide variety of world-class sporting events.
“Argentina is one of the world's leading football nations that produced such luminaries as Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, and we are absolutely delighted to host their training camp in Abu Dhabi."
Al Awani said Argentina's training camp in Abu Dhabi will be an opportunity for football fans to watch up close the squad's preparations ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. Argentina have been drawn in Group C alongside Mexico, Poland, and Saudi Arabia, whom they meet in their opener on November 22.
“[Argentina] are one of the leading candidates for the World Cup and has a large fan base around the world,” Al Awani said. “They will be closely watched by the football fraternity and the international media around the world, and we are honoured to be their host.
“We welcome all Argentine fans to come and enjoy their stay in Abu Dhabi and the whole of UAE to see world stars as Messi and company in training.”
The partnership between the ADSC and AFA will also see Abu Dhabi host the SuperCopa Argentina final - played between the Primera Division and Copa Argentina champions - for four years, starting from January 2023.
“Within the expansion strategy of our football being able to transfer the Argentine Super Cup to a destination like Abu Dhabi is very meaningful,” AFA president Claudio Tapia said.
“This agreement will give greater exposure and global visibility to our competition and create new commercial opportunities for the clubs and for our association.
“We welcome Abu Dhabi Sports Council as a new commercial partner of AFA. We share the passion for football and we will work together to leave a strong legacy footprint in Abu Dhabi.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
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Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
'The Ice Road'
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne
2/5
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
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