Apollo Perelini might be forgiven for sitting back and basking in the glow of a job very well done on Friday night.
The UAE team which he helped mould were in the process of putting Malaysia to the sword in a 62-19 win at The Sevens, Dubai. Two weeks earlier they had claimed a historic first win over South Korea at the same venue.
It gave them a second-place finish in the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC), their best placing in the competition. Their world ranking had reached a peak of 57, and that is likely to get a further bump after the thrashing of 49th-ranked Malaysia.
And yet even in the midst of such a landmark success, Perelini was looking at the bigger picture.
Instead of losing himself in his laptop or helping the side with tactics at half time, the technical director for UAE Rugby was on the microphone ensuring the spectator experience was a memorable one.
He was organising prize giveaways, a crossbar challenge, and sprint races involving members of the mini and youth sections of clubs from all over the country.
It was a simple, time-honoured way of making people who might not otherwise have been bothered feel involved. Don’t leave the sport to sell itself. Make the audience want to come back next time.
And the prizes were good ones, too: replica UAE shirts for the lucky winners. Like it was something to be coveted.
That has not always been the case here, but the players on the field did a good job of showing why it should be. Their two wins over the past couple of weeks were ones to be proud of.
“There is a long way to go, but hopefully we have taken a giant leap in the right direction,” Matt Mills, the UAE captain, said.
“Hopefully the federation and the people in the community see that UAE rugby isn’t a joke. We are serious and we are here to stay. Our hard work is finally bearing some results, and hopefully UAE rugby is going to be at the top level now moving forward.”
It was instructive that, in the UAE huddle at the end of the Malaysia game there were two people who had previously played at Rugby World Cups. Perelini had played for Western Samoa in 1991, while Aaron Persico, the side’s assistant coach, did so for Italy in 2003.
Such a rarefied tournament seems a world away from the game in the UAE. Compared to football and cricket, it remains a relatively niche sport, played by amateur players.
And yet this campaign has given plenty of reason to believe the future can be bright. And a World Cup place? It is not totally beyond the realms of possibility.
The tournament in Australia in 2027 is being expanded by four teams to 24. With Japan already qualified, there will be an extra side from Asia guaranteed a place.
Hong Kong swept all before them again in this year’s ARC, as they claimed a fifth successive title. They look like a shoo-in for a World Cup debut.
But, for the first time in five seasons, it was not South Korea who took second behind Hong Kong. Instead, UAE took that berth. If they do the same next year, they will make it to a World Cup repechage qualifier with sides from other continents. Playing in that itself would be a significant achievement.
“At the moment Hong Kong are at a very high level, a good team with a good coach, and that is what we aspire to be,” Jacques Benade, the UAE head coach, said.
“We need to be there. The wins against Korea and Malaysia gave us a lot of confidence, but this is unknown territory for us.”
On the subject of aspiration, the crowd at The Sevens on Friday included scores of young boys and girls. The side itself included players who grew up here, watching matches on that same field at the Dubai Sevens.
Mills reckons retaining talented young players like that in the system, rather than losing them to studies and rugby abroad, will be crucial to the development of the game.
“They are getting jobs in the UAE because they see this as a long-term option, and a real option to progress their career,” Mills said.
“When I leave playing and move full time into coaching, hopefully I will have left a bit of a legacy where players want to come back and play for the UAE.
“Not because it is an easy option, but because it is competitive and because they have been aspiring to make it while they have been coming through the system.
“If they wanted to come back and be involved in the international season even if they are living outside the country, that would be great as well.”
One such player is George Hipperson. Mills coached the young centre when he was a student at Dubai English Speaking College.
Hipperson is currently on a gap year having deferred admission to university in the UK in order to play rugby for Dubai Exiles and the UAE, while getting experience coaching back at his old school.
Even when he does head off to study at Nottingham Trent, he said he will be straight back on the plane to play for UAE whenever he is asked.
“I would be back here without hesitation,” said Hipperson, who was born in England but moved to Dubai with his family when aged six.
“It is such a good experience playing international rugby. Going forward, I think this will be way more beneficial for me than a lot of opportunities other people have had.”
And the atmosphere created by the impressive crowds at the two matches over the past fortnight is another reason to want to stay involved, he said.
“I played on Pitch 1 [in Gulf Under 19s finals at the Dubai Sevens] but this is totally different as everyone is here to watch you play,” Hipperson said.
“When you hear all the shouting and screaming, it is class. It pushes you a little bit extra. When it is so tough like this, super-humid, super-hot, and so physically challenging, it gives you that little boost to push on.”
Another player who watched umpteen Dubai Sevens when he was growing up, before playing in it himself, is Toby Oakeley.
The Dubai Hurricanes wing, who first arrived in the UAE when six months old, opened the scoring in the 10-try rout of Malaysia.
Oakeley, who went abroad to study before returning to Dubai and is now a teacher at North London Collegiate, said the crowd for the XVs game had a totally different feel to playing at the Sevens.
“I have never had a XVs home game,” said Oakeley, 29, who has been involved with the national team for the past seven years.
“I have been fortunate enough to play at Dubai Sevens and win two Pitch 1 finals, but that is a whole different experience.
“This was something special because they were only here to watch us. When you go to the Dubai Sevens, they are there to watch the international teams. It so happens that we are playing, but they are not really focused on the games.
“This time, everyone in the stands was focused on us. That felt amazing. Especially in a game like the Korea one, which was a lot closer, when you hear the crowd cheering you in those important moments, it gives you that bit extra to push for the next ruck, or push for the next carry or tackle.
“Hopefully these two wins that we have produced are going to kickstart something extra special in rugby here.”
Zayed Sustainability Prize
UFC%20FIGHT%20NIGHT%3A%20SAUDI%20ARABIA%20RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20card%3Cbr%3EMiddleweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERobert%20Whittaker%20defeated%20Ikram%20Aliskerov%20via%20knockout%20(Round%201)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EHeavyweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAlexander%20Volkov%20def%20Sergei%20Pavlovich%20via%20unanimous%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMiddleweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EKelvin%20Gastelum%20def%20Daniel%20Rodriguez%20via%20unanimous%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMiddleweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EShara%20Magomedov%20def%20Antonio%20Trocoli%20via%20knockout%20(Round%203)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELight%20heavyweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EVolkan%20Oezdemir%20def%20Johnny%20Walker%20via%20knockout%20(Round%201)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPreliminary%20Card%0D%3Cbr%3ELightweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ENasrat%20Haqparast%20def%20Jared%20Gordon%20via%20split%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFeatherweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EFelipe%20Lima%20def%20Muhammad%20Naimov%20via%20submission%20(Round%203)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWelterweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERinat%20Fakhretdinov%20defeats%20Nicolas%20Dalby%20via%20split%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBantamweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMuin%20Gafurov%20def%20Kang%20Kyung-ho%20via%20unanimous%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELight%20heavyweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMagomed%20Gadzhiyasulov%20def%20Brendson%20Ribeiro%20via%20majority%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBantamweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChang%20Ho%20Lee%20def%20Xiao%20Long%20via%20split%20decision%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE - India ties
The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner after the US and China
Annual bilateral trade between India and the UAE has crossed US$ 60 billion
The UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India
Indians comprise the largest community with 3.3 million residents in the UAE
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first visited the UAE in August 2015
His visit on August 23-24 will be the third in four years
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited India in February 2016
Sheikh Mohamed was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2017
Modi will visit Bahrain on August 24-25
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
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), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
ASHES FIXTURES
1st Test: Brisbane, Nov 23-27
2nd Test: Adelaide, Dec 2-6
3rd Test: Perth, Dec 14-18
4th Test: Melbourne, Dec 26-30
5th Test: Sydney, Jan 4-8
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Teams
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
U19 WORLD CUP, WEST INDIES
UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)
Saturday 15 January: v Canada
Thursday 20 January: v England
Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh
UAE squad
Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly, Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya Shetty, Kai Smith
TOP%2010%20MOST%20POLLUTED%20CITIES
%3Cp%3E1.%20Bhiwadi%2C%20India%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Ghaziabad%2C%20India%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Hotan%2C%20China%0D%3Cbr%3E4.%20Delhi%2C%20India%0D%3Cbr%3E5.%20Jaunpur%2C%20India%0D%3Cbr%3E6.%20Faisalabad%2C%20Pakistan%0D%3Cbr%3E7.%20Noida%2C%20India%0D%3Cbr%3E8.%20Bahawalpur%2C%20Pakistan%0D%3Cbr%3E9.%20Peshawar%2C%20Pakistan%0D%3Cbr%3E10.%20Bagpat%2C%20India%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20IQAir%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Reputation
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine Records)
Race card for Super Saturday
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dh918,125) (Dirt) 1,900m.
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m.
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The Byblos iftar in numbers
29 or 30 days – the number of iftar services held during the holy month
50 staff members required to prepare an iftar
200 to 350 the number of people served iftar nightly
160 litres of the traditional Ramadan drink, jalab, is served in total
500 litres of soup is served during the holy month
200 kilograms of meat is used for various dishes
350 kilograms of onion is used in dishes
5 minutes – the average time that staff have to eat
Try out the test yourself
Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Sweet%20Tooth
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJim%20Mickle%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristian%20Convery%2C%20Nonso%20Anozie%2C%20Adeel%20Akhtar%2C%20Stefania%20LaVie%20Owen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
