Hamdan Al Kamali's hopes of playing for Lyon, the French Ligue 1 club, has cost him his place in the UAE Olympic team.
The 22-year-old national team and Al Wahda defender was dropped following a meeting at the Football Association headquarters in Dubai last night.
Mahdi Ali's team will leave for Saudi Arabia on Wedbesday night for a training camp and a friendly against the Saudi national team on January 26. They will fly to Bahrain for a second friendly four days later before heading for Qatar for a crucial Olympic qualifier against Iraq on February 5.
Al Kamali, the Olympic team captain, had requested time off from the team to travel to France for talks with Lyon and then join the squad in time for their friendly in Saudi Arabia, but the FA decided to drop him.
Al Kamali has been adamant he wants a move to France despite his club saying "the offer was not serious" and "Hamdan is not leaving".
Wahda officials were not available for comment last night. The UAE are at the bottom of Group B on two points after three Olympic qualifying games.
Meanwhile, Omar Abdulrahman, the Al Ain playmaker, has returned to action nearly six months after knee surgery.
Cosmin Olaroiu, the coach, watched Abdulrahman play for 20 minutes in a reserve team victory over Ajman, but was guarded against scheduling a possible return to the first team.
"We should give him time so he can get ready again," the Romanian said. "He was off for six months and he needs more time to get ready for good appearance as we used to see him."
apassela@thenational.ae
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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
Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
Volvo ES90 Specs
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
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The Dictionary of Animal Languages
Heidi Sopinka
Scribe
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
