Even on these particularly muggy evenings, when the September humidity bites most, a group of enthusiastic and earnest footballers travel from long and far to Al Khawaneej in a bid to change the perception of the women’s game in the UAE.
Some arrive from Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, or Kalba. It’s a serious undertaking, the two-hour training sessions held four times per week to get ready for next month's debut in the UAE Women’s Football League. Training often stretches to 10pm. Most participants have school, or work, the following morning.
But the excitement of a new footballing project in the Emirates has brought them here. Brought Noura Al Mazrouie, the former UAE national team goalkeeper, to be their coach. Brought Amal Wael, the UAE international forward, as the squad’s de facto “veteran” – admittedly, Wael is only 32 – and self-professed prankster.
Brought Maha Al Bloushi, the current UAE Under-20s captain, as goalkeeper. She is one of nine Emiratis signed up; seven of which represent the U20s national team.
Then there is Sabrine Mamay, an international forward with Tunisia, and fellow UAE residents, six in all, hailing from Palestine, Morocco, Philippines, Russia, India and Zimbabwe.
Here they are, on this stifling September night at the Football Association’s headquarters in Al Khawaneej: Banaat FC, the latest entrant to the top division of UAE women’s football.
The owner
“I came up with the idea when looking at an account online for UAE women's football and saw that none of the Women’s League clubs had Arabic names,” says founder Budreya Faisal, a long-time prominent figure on the men’s football scene in the country and the region. “And there wasn't much online about the Women's League.
“So I thought, instead of getting frustrated, why not start one? I called some friends in football and in women's football to find out what the process would be, and it didn't seem to be too challenging. So we're here.”
Rather remarkably, in truth. Banaat FC was conceived on August 2, then launched on August 28 to coincide with Emirati Women’s Day. The idea, the identity, the mission. It has all come together astonishingly quickly.
“Banaat FC was the first name that came to mind,” Faisal explains. “I thought, ‘What represents women? What represents girls?’ And it doesn't need to be specifically Emirati. I want something that girls from everywhere in the Arab world can relate to.
“What's one word we all have in common, one word that represents all of us? It's banaat; girls. 'Banaat' is 'girls' in Arabic. So Banaat Football Club.”
The reception, and uptake, has exceeded expectation. Banaat boasts 16 players already, has Al Mazourie as coach, is backed by highly respected UAE national team coach Houriya Al Taheri, and has been provided training facilities by the FA.
Saudi Arabian social-media sensation Amy Roko is club ambassador. What’s more, Banaat’s first three videos on Tiktok – social media represents a key component of the club’s remit and building the players’ profiles – have garnered more than 300,000 views.
“It's been incredible,” Faisal says. “We've gotten so much attention and so many applicants every day for girls from all over the Arab world that want to come for our try-outs and want assigned to the team.
“And our social media ... our TikTok's blown up, which is incredible as well. People are generally very receptive to the fact that women's football in the UAE is being shared in a new light, in a new way.
“We're showcasing the girls, the personalities, the nice light colour that we have [club badge, jerseys], our lilac. People are open, and brands and schools and companies.
“Everyone's reaching out, and everyone wants to support us one way or another. We're open to all of it.”
Opening minds a little more, breaking down still-there barriers, forms part of Banaat’s mission statement.
“I would say we're definitely prioritising Emirati culture at the core of everything we do,” Faisal says. “Arab culture as well, trying to respect everything we can about the culture and tradition of the country, and trying to empower Emirati women, give them more opportunities.
“There aren't enough clubs out there for women right now. There isn't enough support out there, so I wanted to create a place that becomes home to girls that love the game and want to play for it, and that play for the national team.
“It's about creating a new perception of football for women in this region that makes it a safe space for anyone to come and play the game. The plan is for this to change the game for everyone else.”
A UAE national, Faisal knows the men’s game intrinsically. She has worked at Dubai’s Al Ahli and also the UAE Pro League, before stepping out on her own in 2009 to set up the Gulf's first athlete development agency.
"Ghost Concept" would eventually count among its clients Syria star Omar Al Soma, 2016 Asian Footballer of the Year Omar Abdulrahman, Qatar’s second-most capped player of all-time in Abdelkarim Hassan, and UAE starlets Ali Saleh and Harib Abdallah.
“I've faced enough challenges in men's football,” Faisal says. “But now that I'm in women's football, I see the differences. It's quite striking, the support you get on a men's team or as an athlete or a celebrity in the game.
“There's definitely a long, long way to go. But we're getting support from everyone. The federation's been incredible. Look where we are; this pitch is amazing.
"It's going to be a very, very exciting season for us. I think we're going to change the game. I feel we already have a little bit, but there's a lot of pressure considering we haven't played a single game yet.
“But that's a good sign, that people are this excited about a team that was just put together. Hopefully one day, we'll have it in Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco.”
The coach
It's Faisal’s vision that convinced Al Mazourie to join. The Al Ain-born goalie was part of the pioneering UAE team that won back-to-back West Asian Football Federation Women’s Championships title, in 2010 and 2011.
However, at present there is no senior national team, while the country’s professional clubs don’t currently offer women’s sides.
Banaat, therefore, is a chance to re-stake a claim.
“The project is not just about making a football team and letting the girls play,” Al Mazourie says. “The purpose is something beyond, just giving the chance, telling the community, telling the society, telling the world, that girls can play. And they can do any sport; it’s just about football.
“We want to send a message out there, because football in the UAE has gone backwards recently and this is really unfortunate, and we feel sorry.
“Women’s football needs support from the people who are in charge. So it’s a message that we have to stand all together to send out that we’re giving the chance for everyone.
“We hope that, from here, we start a bigger thing, and we tell the clubs that women’s football deserves a chance and that at least support them.”
Al Mazourie, who for a couple of hours before was busy diligently putting the players through their paces, has been impressed with the introductory weeks at Banaat.
“There’s a lot of good qualities there,” she says. “I’m really happy with the players because they’re really nice, they’re polite, they listen.
“The most important is the desire they have. A lot are not from Dubai; they come from Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, and to drive every day back and forward for two hours – and some of them have school the next day, or are working, or are married.
“So they sacrifice all these responsibilities just to come and play football and be part of this project. It means a lot. It gives me a bigger responsibility to help them to achieve what they want.”
A Pep Guardiola devotee – “of course ... he’s a genius” – Al Mazourie considers herself a disciplinarian who still likes to have fun. A sounding board, also: she wants the girls to feel comfortable, to confide in her whenever life throws up challenges.
Al Mazourie senses a shifting tide in women’s football in the region overall, buoyed boundlessly by Morocco’s history-makers at the summer Fifa Women’s World Cup.
If Banaat, and the UAE, can benefit from that, ride along on that wave, then great.
“That message was seen worldwide,” Al Mazourie says. “The Moroccan team performing in the World Cup, the first Arab team to play in the World Cup. This gave us also the focus to work hard, that there is no impossible.
"Even if it’s going to take a long time, if you put the right vision, right strategies, right plans, you’re going to achieve, sooner or later.
“But you have to be consistent. You cannot do something now and stop it tomorrow. Let’s be optimistic. The future’s bright for women’s football.”
The players
Wael was one of those caught up in Morocco’s progress beyond the group stage in Australia, made possible by memorable victories against South Korea and Colombia.
She watched the matches, even bought the team jersey.
Now pivotal in Banaat recruiting their Emirati core, she wants to keep the feelgood factor rolling.
“I believe culture and community is the biggest challenge and barrier that we have overcame throughout the years,” she says. “And yet there is so much to push further.
“We have the support, but we don’t have enough to outshine other countries. Women’s football in the UAE is not shining as it should. So we’re hoping, through this team, we take women’s football further.”
A member of the senior national side for eight years, the Team Lead at Abu Dhabi Government Media Office recognises what needs to change to deliver on that objective.
“Support, support and support,” Wael says. “And it starts from the community and the culture surrounding us, up to the federation moving forward.”
Known as something of a “social butterfly”, Wael is well-positioned to take the temperature of Banaat’s sudden arrival within the football framework.
“Around society, for real, people are happy that they find Emirati women that are part of football and are aware of football,” she says. “That they are full of knowledge, and they know how to play.
“It didn’t start like that. Ten years ago, everything was against us. But now everyone is exposed to a better vision of women’s football, so the acceptance has changed. This is a huge opportunity for us to stay consistent.”
Compared to Wael, teammate Caye Yocor is relatively fresh to the competitive game. Aged 19, the diminutive Filipina with the giant smile took up football in her homeland around nine years ago, prompted by her male cousins.
Having juggled a ball over to her interview, Yocor suddenly falls shy in front of the camera. She needs pressing when asked what value she brings to Banaat.
"Because I’m a chilled person," the defender says bashfully. "I’m a cutie; I’m a shortie; I can [mimics tricking her way past opponents].”
Neymar, Lionel Messi and Pele are her inspirations. Neymar, now in nearby Riyadh, tops the shortlist.
“I like the way he plays,” Yocor says. “The way he uses control, the way he dribbles, his body build. And he’s good looking too …”
Yocor finishes with another giggle, then reveals what seems to be at Banaat’s heart.
“It means a lot for me [to be part of the club],” she says. “Because I am able to show more of myself.”
Scoreline
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 17
Jebel Ali Dragons 20
Harlequins Tries: Kinivilliame, Stevenson; Cons: Stevenson 2; Pen: Stevenson
Dragons Tries: Naisau, Fourie; Cons: Love 2; Pens: Love 2
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Brief scores:
Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37
South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62
Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2014
Number of employees: 36
Sector: Logistics
Raised: $2.5 million
Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
The five pillars of Islam
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
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PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
Duminy's Test career in numbers
Tests 46; Runs 2,103; Best 166; Average 32.85; 100s 6; 50s 8; Wickets 42; Best 4-47
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Pros%20and%20cons%20of%20BNPL
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Three-day coronation
Royal purification
The entire coronation ceremony extends over three days from May 4-6, but Saturday is the one to watch. At the time of 10:09am the royal purification ceremony begins. Wearing a white robe, the king will enter a pavilion at the Grand Palace, where he will be doused in sacred water from five rivers and four ponds in Thailand. In the distant past water was collected from specific rivers in India, reflecting the influential blend of Hindu and Buddhist cosmology on the coronation. Hindu Brahmins and the country's most senior Buddhist monks will be present. Coronation practices can be traced back thousands of years to ancient India.
The crown
Not long after royal purification rites, the king proceeds to the Baisal Daksin Throne Hall where he receives sacred water from eight directions. Symbolically that means he has received legitimacy from all directions of the kingdom. He ascends the Bhadrapitha Throne, where in regal robes he sits under a Nine-Tiered Umbrella of State. Brahmins will hand the monarch the royal regalia, including a wooden sceptre inlaid with gold, a precious stone-encrusted sword believed to have been found in a lake in northern Cambodia, slippers, and a whisk made from yak's hair.
The Great Crown of Victory is the centrepiece. Tiered, gold and weighing 7.3 kilograms, it has a diamond from India at the top. Vajiralongkorn will personally place the crown on his own head and then issues his first royal command.
The audience
On Saturday afternoon, the newly-crowned king is set to grant a "grand audience" to members of the royal family, the privy council, the cabinet and senior officials. Two hours later the king will visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred space in Thailand, which on normal days is thronged with tourists. He then symbolically moves into the Royal Residence.
The procession
The main element of Sunday's ceremonies, streets across Bangkok's historic heart have been blocked off in preparation for this moment. The king will sit on a royal palanquin carried by soldiers dressed in colourful traditional garb. A 21-gun salute will start the procession. Some 200,000 people are expected to line the seven-kilometre route around the city.
Meet the people
On the last day of the ceremony Rama X will appear on the balcony of Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace at 4:30pm "to receive the good wishes of the people". An hour later, diplomats will be given an audience at the Grand Palace. This is the only time during the ceremony that representatives of foreign governments will greet the king.
What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.
It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.
But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties.
RESULT
Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')
RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
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Rating: 4/5
