With new title sponsors on board and promotion to the Rolex Series confirmed, organisers of the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic have lofty aspirations to make it the standout tournament on the European Tour.
Earlier this month, the long-established event announced a significant upgrade in status, joining a select band of marquee tournaments on Europe’s elite circuit, with prize money more than doubling to $8 million and Race to Dubai points on offer enhanced substantially.
At the same time, Slync, a global logistics technology provider, were welcomed as lead sponsors, ending Omega’s 12-year association with the event. Now one of five Rolex Series tournaments on the European Tour calendar – the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, which falls the previous week, and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship represent two of the quintet - the 2022 Desert Classic is set for a considerable shot in the arm.
“We’ve got a couple of clear mandates,” executive tournament director Simon Corkill told The National. “We want to be the best event on the European Tour and we’ll certainly strive to do that.
“We’ve got some stiff competition, but we’re going to give it a go. And we want to be very, very well regarded on the global stage. So that will continue.”
Typically, Rolex Series events comprise some of the strongest fields on the European Tour outside the four majors and four World Golf Championships. A first raft of player announcements for the Desert Classic is expected early next month – the 2022 edition takes place January 27-30 at the traditional Emirates Golf Club base – with a number of stars having already committed to organisers their participation.
Corkill said joining the Rolex Series would impact favourably the tournament's ability to attract the game’s elite.
“It’s definitely a big positive," he said. "Players love coming to the region, they love coming to Dubai. We certainly don’t take that for granted, but we’re lucky to be in that position that they do enjoy the event.
“But having two Rolex Series back-to-back with Abu Dhabi the week before is very attractive for key players around the world to come and start their season in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. We’ll have a fantastic field, no doubt about it.”
As for the Desert Classic moving into a “new era”, as the promotional video that accompanied the Slync announcement on September 2 declared, Corkill said the event would work closely with the European Tour and their media teams to further raise its profile. TV coverage will be enhanced while, on the ground at Emirates Golf Club, hospitality will undergo a significant refurbish.
Sitting alongside Slync co-founder and CEO, Chris Kirchner, Corkill said: “We’re obviously delighted and we’re looking forward to going on this journey with Chris and the Slync team. Slync is such a forward-thinking, innovative company, and Dubai is very, very much like that.
“Dubai has always been a city that will push the boundaries, and we will continue to do that with Chris and the team. With it being a Rolex Series event, obviously prize money is a lot higher. And we are looking at all sorts of different areas of the event to upgrade.
"We want every person who comes in the gates at Emirates Golf Club to be an ambassador for the event, whether it’s players, caddies, media, spectators, staff. We want people at home to be watching saying, ‘Let’s go to Dubai; that tournament looks fantastic’.”
Kirchner, an avid golf fan, has been a regular viewer of the Desert Classic from his home in the United States, and said that collaborating with such a recognised event – the tournament has been part of the European Tour since its inception in 1989 – made sense given Dallas-based Slync’s customer and user base resides in Europe and Asia.
“It’s an event that I’m familiar with as a fan,” Kirchner said. “And from a business perspective, if you look at - even in the teaser video that we put out - what the Desert Classic was originally, just the skyline of Dubai and what it’s become... it’s testament to Dubai’s growth as a city.
“So, it’s this amazing, historical event, but also this incredibly innovative and cutting-edge event that now is part of the Rolex Series. It’s one of, and will continue to be, one of the most prominent events on the European Tour.
Kircher added: “Any time you have a new title sponsor - I’m not going to say that we dictate everything that goes on because that’s far from the truth - but it’s a new set of ideas. We want to partner with Simon and the team operating with the European Tour and push this event forward.
"And continue to look to the future and how we can create, not just a world-class experience for fans and people attending the tournament to watch, but also for the players, the caddies, the media, for anyone participating in the event.
“We want this to be something that everyone looks forward to every year. Because, for us, with our name associated with the event, only positive things come from creating that type of marquee week in the calendar.”
Before sponsoring the Desert Classic, Slync had already a footprint in the professional game, with Justin Rose, Viktor Hovland and Bernd Wiesberger among their global brand ambassadors. Corkill said Slync would be a “major part” of the Ladies European Tour's Dubai Moonlight Classic, which typically runs late in the season, although not as title sponsors.
Meanwhile, there has been speculation Slync would seek to secure a naming-rights deal for a tournament on the PGA Tour similar to how they have with the Desert Classic.
“Potentially,” Kircher said. “We’re opportunistic on things and that’s kind of how this came about in the beginning. For us, our initial golf investment was a test, was me betting on something that I like personally, that I saw potential for a return in. The truth is it’s returned and generated exactly what we wanted from it.
“So there’s always an opportunity to partner with the PGA Tour. But for us and in the stage we are as a business, and where are customers are and where we’re investing in other things, partnering with the European Tour and Dubai specifically made so much sense at this moment. And we’re really excited about it.”
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
Company%C2%A0profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Co%20Chocolat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Iman%20and%20Luchie%20Suguitan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Food%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241%20million-plus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fahad%20bin%20Juma%2C%20self-funding%2C%20family%20and%20friends%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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EMILY%20IN%20PARIS%3A%20SEASON%203
%3Cp%3ECreated%20by%3A%20Darren%20Star%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Lily%20Collins%2C%20Philippine%20Leroy-Beaulieu%2C%20Ashley%20Park%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%202.75%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Haltia.ai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Arto%20Bendiken%20and%20Talal%20Thabet%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241.7%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self%2C%20family%20and%20friends%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
SQUADS
South Africa:
Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada
Coach: Ottis Gibson
Bangladesh:
Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Mustafizur Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed.
Coach: Chandika Hathurusingha
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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