UAE cricketer Jonathan Figy had it all planned out. He was scheduled to debut for Leeds University in an inter-university tournament and then play as a foreign professional for Rastrick Cricket Club in the Huddersfield Division 1 league in the UK.
But both opportunities have been put on hold following the coronavirus outbreak.
Figy, 19, is now making the most of the lockdown in Britain by improving his fitness through high intensity training indoors.
"The inter-university tournament was cancelled and all other cricket activities are on hold," the left-handed batsman told The National.
“Obviously it’s very disappointing not to be playing cricket when the weather in this part of the world right now is beautiful for the sport.”
Figy, born in Dubai to Indian parents, moved to Winchester College in England on a cricket scholarship in 2017. He joined Leeds University last September to pursue a degree in mathematics and statistics.
Figy made his debut for the UAE senior team against Scotland in the ICC World Cricket League 2 in Dubai in December and played against Namibia in the same competition in Oman in January.
He next played in the U19 World Cup in South Africa and became the first UAE player to score a century in the competition when he hit 102 not out against Canada.
Figy then returned to the UK to continue his studies and was given a training schedule to maintain his fitness levels.
I haven't touched a cricket bat for more than two months
“I have been doing it since the lockdown in March but when the university closed down, I moved to where my aunt and uncle reside, which is a 30 minute drive from the university," Figy said.
“I do my training with my cousin, focusing a lot on core work because I felt that’s one of my weak areas. I do high intensity exercises to strengthen my core muscles and cardio.
“I moved to my uncle’s place but left my cricket gear behind at the university and am unable to get them back because of the lockdown.
“I haven’t touched a cricket bat for more than two months, perhaps the longest period of time that I haven’t touched it."
Former UAE coach Dougie Brown provided Figy the opportunity to play for the senior team. Brown was replaced in February, by Robin Singh, meaning Figy must prove himself all over again.
“The new technical staff haven’t seen me and they want to see me at some point,” Figy said. “I was to travel to the UAE during the Easter holidays in March but I couldn’t because the airports were shut by then.
“I am hoping to travel at the first opportunity to be with my parents in Abu Dhabi and meet the new technical staff."
Britain has been one of the countries hardest-hit by the coronavirus with more than 215,000 cases and over 31,000 deaths. Uncertainty has made it difficult for Figy to plan for the future.
“Officially we are still in lockdown,” Figy said. “There may be an announcement soon on easing and then I’ll take it from there. I have no problems where I live in Leeds.
“Probably I’ll come over when the airports are open and my family is also waiting to see me. I will see how safe it is to fly. So fingers crossed on that.”
As far as his studies are concerned, Figy's university has cancelled the remaining semester and he will progress to the second year starting in October.
“I study on my own and will now prepare for my second year,” he said. “So that’s what I’m doing now aside from the training.
“With regards to cricket, there is not much I can do. All I can do is to keep physically fit and mentally prepared to play some cricket in the next month or two, hopefully.
“I was in talks with a club in Huddersfield. They were to give me a contract as a foreign player when the outbreak put everything on hold. They wanted an opener and I fitted in well.”
If cricket resumes in June or July, or even August to September, Figy said he would stay back to play some cricket in the UK, unless the Emirates Cricket Board asks him to come to the UAE and train with the team.
“I am free until October so I wouldn’t mind to go anywhere to play cricket during that time,” he said.
“But I don’t have any idea. The UAE’s tour to Papua New Guinea was supposed to take place in June and that too got postponed. Only time will tell what’s next for me.”
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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RESULT
RS Leipzig 3
Marcel Sabitzer 10', 21'
Emil Forsberg 87'
Tottenham 0
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Panipat
Director Ashutosh Gowariker
Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment
Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman
Rating 3 /5 stars
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
MATCH INFO
Scotland 59 (Tries: Hastings (2), G Horne (3), Turner, Seymour, Barclay, Kinghorn, McInally; Cons: Hastings 8)
Russia 0
The biog:
Languages: Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, basic Russian
Favourite food: Pizza
Best food on the road: rice
Favourite colour: silver
Favourite bike: Gold Wing, Honda
Favourite biking destination: Canada
Read more about the coronavirus
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
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At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
50 million homes powered by renewable energy
6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
Company%20Profile
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
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Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
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- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
Jetour T1 specs
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Ibrahim's play list
Completed an electrical diploma at the Adnoc Technical Institute
Works as a public relations officer with Adnoc
Apart from the piano, he plays the accordion, oud and guitar
His favourite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach
Also enjoys listening to Mozart
Likes all genres of music including Arabic music and jazz
Enjoys rock groups Scorpions and Metallica
Other musicians he likes are Syrian-American pianist Malek Jandali and Lebanese oud player Rabih Abou Khalil
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