Not many teenagers can claim to have already represented their country in a sport at international level, let alone in two.
Maitha Al Nyadi, 17, a Grade 12 pupil from Al Qadsiya School in Abu Dhabi, became the first Emirati female to win an international medal in judo when she bagged a bronze at the Cadets Asian Cup in Hong Kong in 2017.
The same year she recorded an eighth-placed finish at the Archery World Cup in Marrakech. The National Olympic Committee has shortlisted Maitha for the Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang from August 18 to September 2.
She also happens to be the country's undisputed muay thai champion.
Maitha has some important decisions to make over the next few weeks. She is sitting her final examinations at Al Qadsiya and then must decide whether to accept a scholarship at the Tokai University in Japan or continue her education at home.
“I’m finishing my final year at school and have already submitted my papers to Tokai University, but again, haven’t made a final decision,” said Maitha, who has previously attended camps at the university in Tokyo in 2014 and 2016.
“When I weigh up the options, realistically Japan seems to be the place I need to be to If I want to fulfill my sporting ambitions. Joining Tokai University comes to my mind first because for the simple reason I want to pursue my judo with the objective of representing my country at the Olympics.
“Judo is my first love and then comes archery and muay thai. If I decide to go to Japan, I’ll take up computer programming for my academics and if I decide to stay back I’ll take up criminology at the Police Academy."
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'They feel they belong here': judo and ice hockey federations welcome decree to allow expats to represent UAE
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Nasser Al Tamimi, general secretary of the UAE Wrestling, Judo and Kickboxing Federation, says Maitha has long been earmarked as a future Olympian.
“We have long term plans for her,” he said. “She’s young and has a bright future ahead. We are investing in her for the Olympics, maybe Tokyo 2020, if not Paris 2024.”
“At the Tokai University she can complete both her higher education and work on her high performance training in judo.”
Maitha is one of seven children. Her two younger brothers Hamdan, 16, and Mohammed, 15, followed her into judo but have now moved to muay thai full time. She recalls how she was encouraged to take up martial arts at a young age by her father.
"I tried her hand in many martial arts sports including karate, kung-fu and jiu-jitsu but I liked judo the best," she said.
“My father took me to the gym where they practiced these martial arts and wanted me to have a go at them. I was about six or seven, I loved judo the best.
“My family has been very supportive and have given me all the encouragement to pursue my sports."
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
'Of Love & War'
Lynsey Addario, Penguin Press
Sri Lanka squad for tri-nation series
Angelo Mathews (c), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Shehan Madushanka, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan and Wanidu Hasaranga
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
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
SEMI-FINAL
Monterrey 1
Funes Mori (14)
Liverpool 2
Keita (11), Firmino (90 1)
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
