Follow the latest news on the 2024 Paris Olympics
It was 16 years ago when Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid, then 28, proudly held the UAE flag as she led the country's eight-member contingent into the 'Bird’s Nest' stadium for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
She made history as the first Gulf woman to carry her country’s national flag and was the first female from the UAE to represent the country in the Olympics.
A martial arts champion, Sheikha Maitha entered the Taekwondo competition having won the over-60kg karate silver medal at the Asian Games in Doha in 2006 and gold at the 11th Pan Arab Games in Cairo the following year.
“My dream is to win the gold in Beijing and I will do everything possible,” she told The National at the time. “It will be the nicest gift for my parents and the country.”
In the 67kg class, Sheikha Maitha was seeded 14th and fell to eventual gold medallist Hwang Kyung-seon of South Korea. She also competed in the repechage round but lost to Sandra Saric of Croatia.
Although Sheikha Maitha did not win a medal, making it to the Games was an impressive feat, especially considering she had only taken up martial arts at the age of 20.
While the UAE did not win any medals at the 2008 Olympics, by forming a part of the national team the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, became part of a tradition that has repeatedly seen members of her family participate in the Games.
Four years earlier, the UAE struck Olympic gold for the first time, with Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed’s victory in the men’s double trap shooting competition in Athens in 2004.
The UAE team – along with those from Bahrain, Oman and Qatar – appeared at their first Olympic Games in Los Angeles, 1984.
Honeymoonish
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Scoreline
Bournemouth 2
Wilson 70', Ibe 74'
Arsenal 1
Bellerin 52'
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
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
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
JERSEY INFO
Red Jersey
General Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the leader of the General Classification by time.
Green Jersey
Points Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the fastest sprinter, who has obtained the best positions in each stage and intermediate sprints.
White Jersey
Young Rider Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the best young rider born after January 1, 1995 in the overall classification by time (U25).
Black Jersey
Intermediate Sprint Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the rider who has gained the most Intermediate Sprint Points.
