Insight and opinion from The National’s editorial leadership
January 10, 2022
Earlier this month, The National heard from Wondimu Temesgen, an Ethiopian football fan who was recalling the joy that erupted in his country last year when it qualified for the African Cup of Nations (Afcon): “I remember boarding a taxi minibus and getting a ride home free of charge … A lot of public transportation drivers drove people free of charge that day!”
Back then, even in the midst of the pandemic, this feeling will have been felt in 24 African countries. It continues today, as teams start competing.
A look at this year’s participating nations demonstrates the scale of the tournament. Hosted in Cameroon, teams are coming from Algeria to Zimbabwe, spanning both ends of the world’s second largest continent. It includes regional powerhouses, such as Egypt and Nigeria, as well as some of the world’s poorest countries; Malawi, in Group B, has a GDP per capita of $637.
And in a sport dominated by European leagues – whose teams’ success often depends on non-European players, particularly African ones – major international tournaments in other parts of the world fulfil an important role. Afcon is perhaps the most famous example, and while it will never be as big as the Euros, it is worth remembering that it too has a prestigious history as the second oldest continental tournament in football.
A vendor blows on a vuvuzela while selling Cameroon football attire in the capital Yaounde. The Africa Cup of Nations started on January 9 in Cameroon after a postponement in 2021. AFP
Mola, the mascot of the Africa Cup of Nations, during the trophy tour in the streets of Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon. AFP
A vendor sorts out the Cameroon football merchandise in Yaounde. AFP
People watch the Africa Cup of Nations trophy tour pass by in the streets of Yaounde. AFP
Theodore, 28, a vendor, holds football accessories in Yaounde - the capital of Cameroon that will host the Africa Cup of Nations from January 9, 2022. AFP
Theodore, 28, a vendor unwraps a scarf in Yaounde ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
A vendor holds schedules for the Africa Cup of Nations in Yaounde, Cameroon. AFP
Cameroonian football jerseys hang along a wall at the central market in Yaounde. AFP
A vendor sells Cameroon football attire in Yaounde. AFP
Mola, the mascot of the Africa Cup of Nations, during the trophy tour in Yaounde. AFP
Like all of the most important global sporting events, its significance goes beyond sport and into politics, current affairs and history. This is particularly the case today. Covid-19 delayed the competition by a year, and while the resurgence of major spectator events in Africa should be celebrated, it is hard to forget how difficult the road has been, particularly as global vaccine inequality continues to affect the continent. Abroad, old challenges with European leagues rumble on, as multibillion-dollar teams complain that international tournaments interrupt their schedules.
Perhaps most important of all, many of the squads playing this year are coming from countries going through violent turmoil. Sudan is in the middle of deadly protests and political chaos. Ethiopia, once a beacon of syncretism and peace on the continent, is blighted by civil war. As well as Mr Temesgen, The National also heard from Abraha, an ethnic Tigrayan who lives in Amsterdam. He had celebrated his country’s success in 2021. Today, he says he does not think there is “a single Tigrayan who cares about sport right now, let alone the national team”.
Inevitably, footballing joy in Ethiopia will be dampened this year. But sport should still be celebrated as something that has the potential to rise above even the bitterest political divisions. The Middle East and North Africa region, familiar with instability, is proof of this. During the past hugely turbulent 70 years, the region has thrived in Afcon. Egypt won the first two tournaments and Algeria won the most recent. Indeed, the cup would not exist were it not for Abdel Aziz Abdallah Salem, an Egyptian donor who sponsored the first tournament held in Khartoum in 1957.
Afcon might be less glitzy than its European rival, but its huge historic and contemporary significance still makes for one of the world’s most dramatic sporting fixtures, one that shows not just the sporting promise of a diverse continent, but its wider economic and social ones, too. That is why the world should be tuning in over the next month.
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
Notable salonnières of the Middle East through history
Al Khasan (Okaz, Saudi Arabia)
Tamadir bint Amr Al Harith, known simply as Al Khasan, was a poet from Najd famed for elegies, earning great renown for the eulogy of her brothers Mu’awiyah and Sakhr, both killed in tribal wars. Although not a salonnière, this prestigious 7th century poet fostered a culture of literary criticism and could be found standing in the souq of Okaz and reciting her poetry, publicly pronouncing her views and inviting others to join in the debate on scholarship. She later converted to Islam.
Maryana Marrash (Aleppo)
A poet and writer, Marrash helped revive the tradition of the salon and was an active part of the Nadha movement, or Arab Renaissance. Born to an established family in Aleppo in Ottoman Syria in 1848, Marrash was educated at missionary schools in Aleppo and Beirut at a time when many women did not receive an education. After touring Europe, she began to host salons where writers played chess and cards, competed in the art of poetry, and discussed literature and politics. An accomplished singer and canon player, music and dancing were a part of these evenings.
Princess Nazil Fadil (Cairo)
Princess Nazil Fadil gathered religious, literary and political elite together at her Cairo palace, although she stopped short of inviting women. The princess, a niece of Khedive Ismail, believed that Egypt’s situation could only be solved through education and she donated her own property to help fund the first modern Egyptian University in Cairo.
Mayy Ziyadah (Cairo)
Ziyadah was the first to entertain both men and women at her Cairo salon, founded in 1913. The writer, poet, public speaker and critic, her writing explored language, religious identity, language, nationalism and hierarchy. Born in Nazareth, Palestine, to a Lebanese father and Palestinian mother, her salon was open to different social classes and earned comparisons with souq of where Al Khansa herself once recited.
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
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), EsekaiaDranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), JaenBotes (Exiles), KristianStinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), EmosiVacanau (Harlequins), NikoVolavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), ThinusSteyn (Exiles)
The squad traveling to Brazil:
Faisal Al Ketbi, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Khalfan Humaid Balhol, Khalifa Saeed Al Suwaidi, Mubarak Basharhil, Obaid Salem Al Nuaimi, Saeed Juma Al Mazrouei, Saoud Abdulla Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Zayed Saif Al Mansoori, Saaid Haj Hamdou, Hamad Saeed Al Nuaimi. Coaches Roberto Lima and Alex Paz.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11 What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time. TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
All matches in Bulawayo Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
What is the definition of an SME?
SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.
