Yousuf Al Matrooshi and Layla Al Khatib have been unveiled as wild cards for the UAE in the 15th Fina World Swimming (short course) Championships in Abu Dhabi in December.
Al Matrooshi, a multiple national record holder, will also be the UAE’s sole flag bearer in the pool at the Tokyo Olympic Games in July.
The duo, who were nominated by the UAE Swimming Federation, are two of the most promising young swimming talents in the country and will get their opportunity at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island from December 16-21.
“I’m really excited to be competing in the Fina World Swimming Championships, especially because the event is taking place in my home country and with my family and friends watching on and supporting me,” Al Matrooshi said at the launch ceremony at the Emirates Palace on Tuesday.
“This is an amazing opportunity for Abu Dhabi to host the event for the first time, 10 years on from when it was held in Dubai.
“The Etihad Arena is a very impressive venue which has already hosted some major sporting events, such as UFC. I’m really looking forward to representing the UAE and hopefully coming away with good results.”
Al Matrooshi, 18, will compete in the 100m and 200m freestyle at the Worlds and in the 100m freestyle in Tokyo.
Al Khatib, who moved to the UK to join Plymouth College last year to continue her education, was part of the UAE team at the Arab Championships in Morocco in 2019. She produced a string of brilliant performances, securing three gold medals and a silver to be selected for the Worlds.
“I’m very grateful to the UAE for this opportunity and I’m really looking forward to competing at the event, it’s so exciting,” Al Khatib, who turns 15 on August 14, said.
“I’ve lived in the UAE, and trained here my whole life, and to now represent the country at a global event, in its capital city, is really special.”
Fina president Husain Al Musallam said that everybody was hugely excited about Abu Dhabi hosting the Fina Worlds.
“The announcement of the Emirati wildcards only adds to the sense of anticipation ahead of this prestigious event,” the Kuwaiti said.
“I am sure both Yousuf and Layla will undoubtedly make the UAE proud. They are a source of inspiration for all aquatic athletes in the country and in the region.
“Having represented my own country as a swimmer, I know the sacrifices which need to be made in order to compete at the highest level.
“As recently appointed Fina president, I’m very much looking forward to bringing the World Swimming Championships to Abu Dhabi for the first time, particularly during a year in which the country celebrates its 50th anniversary.”
Originally scheduled for 2020, the Fina World Swimming Championships will feature men’s and women’s events in the freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly along with the individual medley and relays.
Aref Al Awani, general secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said the announcement, combining the Emirati wildcard athletes, and unveiling of the event mascot, “Dana – hawksbill turtle,” is an important milestone building towards the event.
“Hosting an international event of this stature reflects the UAE’s and Abu Dhabi’s position and pioneering role in the return of normal life to society after the pandemic challenge witnessed by the world,” he added.
“We are excited to host the championships and we look forward to welcoming almost 1,000 elite short-distance swimmers from all over the world, especially as it comes after the Olympic Games in Tokyo, which adds more excitement to the competition in Abu Dhabi.”
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
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MATCH INFO
Manchester City 6 Huddersfield Town 1
Man City: Agüero (25', 35', 75'), Jesus (31'), Silva (48'), Kongolo (84' og)
Huddersfield: Stankovic (43')
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Leap of Faith
Michael J Mazarr
Public Affairs
Dh67
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
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Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
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