A few poor results and out you go. Abdul Wahab Abdul Kader worked wonders to get promoted Ajman to fourth in the Pro League standings at the winter break but, after four consecutive defeats left them in seventh place, the club's management saw fit to sack him.
The Iraqi was hailed as the best man for the job after his team scored some stunning victories over heavyweights such as Al Shabab, the defending champions, Al Wahda and Sharjah. They also held big-spending Al Jazira to a draw. But those results were forgotten when his team lost all four games in the second half of the league.
Short-sighted at best, foolhardy, rash and plain unfair at worst, Ajman's decision is baffling. It epitomises the ruthless epidemic which seems to have swept through a league in which only a top-three spot appears to be good enough, even for teams like Ajman with meagre resources.
Abdul Kader was in shock and dismay. He said: "I never expected such treatment from the management. I am shocked and disappointed.
"My job was to see the team remain in the Pro League and I have taken them to a position where I feel they are safe with seven matches left. The expectations have now exceeded to more than remaining in the Pro League. This is ridiculous."
Abdul Kader is the 11th coach to be either sacked or resign this season. He is replaced by his assistant Sedar Mohammed.
Only four coaches who started the season have kept their jobs - Ivan Hasek (Al Ahli), Abel Braga (Jazira) and Winfried Schaefer (Al Ain), whose sides are fighting for top spot, and Toninho Cerezo who led Al Shabab to the title last season.
apassela@thenational.ae
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
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
UAE - India ties
The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner after the US and China
Annual bilateral trade between India and the UAE has crossed US$ 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
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'
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The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
