The vision and mission that began in 2016 will come to fruition on Sunday when Dubai Basketball play host to ABA League defending champions Red Star at the Coca-Cola Arena.
The newly formed club, also known as Dubai BC, take on the Serbian outfit in a historic clash as they become the first UAE team to compete in a major European league. The ABA League is the leading professional basketball competition for teams from the former Yugoslavia and includes clubs from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, and Montenegro.
Dejan Kamenjasevic, general manager and co-founder of Dubai Basketball, was the man behind the scenes who spent almost eight years assembling a side to compete in the newly expanded 16-team competition for the next three seasons.
“This journey began a long time ago. We can say 2016 is the first time that we spoke of it, and for me, personally, that there is a huge potential here, that we can do something amazing and something unique,” he said at Tuesday's launch event.
“Sunday is our future. This game means a lot for all of us because that will be the history. I’m taking the time now to say to our guys, players and coaches that they are part of the history.
“No one can take that away from them, that in 10, 15 or 30 years from now, they can proudly say they played the first game of the franchise and the future that we built all together.
“We know that any sports franchise needs five to seven years to build. We did it in three months. Our management, our staff, all these players who have lots of patience with us because there are so many things that they were not ready for at the time that they came.
“We have guys who have played in leagues in Europe, the NBA and the very top of the sport. To attract these players is a big achievement for the city and our club.
“We look forward to welcoming the local communities including expats and locals as their support can inspire the team. Together, as a team, we have a chance to do something big together.”
The campaign is made up of 30 regular season games, with the top eight advancing to the play-offs. Red Star swept to victory last time out when they defeated rivals Partizan Belgrade 3-0 in the finals. The two Serbian franchises are the dominant forces in the league, both winning the title a record seven times.
Former NBA player Davis Bertans headlines Dubai's BC’s roster for their inaugural season. The roster also includes players from the Philippines, United States, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Jordan, Turkey and Latvia, many of whom have had extensive playing careers in Europe and the US.
“We are a young team but we have great ambitions so it was not a tough decision to come and be part of something that is important, to be part of history,” Jurica Golemac, the head coach, said.
“This team, like the city of Dubai, wants to grow every day, every week, every month. So, on us, coaching staff and players, we just need to show up every day and do better.
“We need to bond with the city of Dubai and with the fans. We want them to enjoy every game and support us as we are fighting for the name of Dubai as much as we can.”
To help prepare for their debut season, Dubai BC held a training camp in Slovenia where they played four friendlies. Last week, they won both home friendly games against ABA League rivals KK FMP and Russian team BC Nizhny Novgorod and competed in a preseason tournament in Bosnia ahead of their league opener on Sunday.
Klemen Prepelic, the captain, said it was a huge honour and privilege for him to lead Dubai BC in a historic event, “but at the same time, it’s also a big job and a huge responsibility. We have a very talented group of players and are really looking forward to perform as best we can.”
Details
Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny
Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
Day 2, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.
Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.
The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Cricket World Cup League 2 Fixtures
Saturday March 5, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy (all matches start at 9.30am)
Sunday March 6, Oman v Namibia, ICC Academy
Tuesday March 8, UAE v Namibia, ICC Academy
Wednesday March 9, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy
Friday March 11, Oman v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Saturday March 12, UAE v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri, Muhammad Waseem, CP Rizwan, Vriitya Aravind, Asif Khan, Basil Hameed, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Karthik Meiyappan, Akif Raja, Rahul Bhatia
The%20Kitchen
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500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
