DUBAI // As rugby's leading nations prepare to play for Commonwealth gold in India, the Arabian Gulf continue to do the best they can with their modest resources in their final few months of existence.
December's Dubai Rugby Sevens will be the last competition the collective states of the Gulf will play as a single union. From January 1, the region will be represented by each of its separate nations, because of an International Rugby Board (IRB)-led restructuring of the game in the region.
As has always been the case, the Gulf are having to operate on a shoestring as they prepare for their final assignment. However, they have managed to afford to fly in nine players from various points on the compass, including England, Wales and Ireland. for a training camp in Dubai this weekend. Sean Hurley, the side's captain, is sidelined because of an ankle ligament injury, but the time off has at least given him time to look for new potential sponsors. "We have a budget, but it has been a huge cost this year," Hurley said after the Gulf's warm-up friendly against South Africa at Dubai College on Wednesday.
"I am out looking for sponsorship now. We don't need much. It is a pittance compared to what other teams have. "There has been a lot of interest actually, so hopefully we will get some more money." The Gulf have entered a sevens tournament in Australia in November as part of the build-up to their big farewell. "It is going to be an emotional tournament," Hurley said of this year's Dubai Rugby Sevens. "It will be the last time an Arabian Gulf team ever runs out.
"We are going to finish on a high." This weekend's training camp was organised to coincide with several other international sides staying in Dubai ahead of the Commonwealth Games. The Gulf played warm-up matches against New Zealand, Wales and South Africa this week.
pradley@thenational.ae
MATCH INFO
Kolkata Knight Riders 245/6 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 214/8 (20 ovs)
Kolkata won by 31 runs
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Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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THE DETAILS
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more from Janine di Giovanni
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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
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Goalkeepers: Ahmed El Shennawy, Mohamed El Shennawy, Mohamed Abou-Gabal, Mahmoud Abdel Rehem "Genesh"
Defenders: Ahmed Elmohamady, Ahmed Hegazi, Omar Gaber, Ali Gazal, Ayman Ahsraf, Mahmoud Hamdy, Baher Elmohamady, Ahmed Ayman Mansour, Mahmoud Alaa, Ahmed Abou-Elfotouh
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Forwards: Ahmed Ali, Mohamed Salah, Marwan Mohsen, Ahmed "Kouka" Hassan.
