DUBAI // Grafite, the Al Ahli striker, has reiterated his desire to remain at the club beyond the conclusion of his current contract.
The Brazilian has excelled since arriving in the UAE on a two-year deal from Wolfsburg, the German side, in June 2011, and in his first season scored 30 goals in 35 matches in all competitions.
He has added another 23 in 18 Pro League games this campaign, a feat that sees Grafite challenge Al Ain's Asamoah Gyan (24 goals) for the division's Golden Boot.
Grafite's agreement with Ahli is set to expire in July and, having only last week celebrated his 34th birthday, there had been speculation the Dubai club would look to replace him with a younger player.
However, having fired Ahli to the Etisalat Cup trophy last season, Grafite insists he wants to continue at the Rashid Stadium and help the club to yet more silverware.
"I hope to stay here at Ahli," he said. "I like it here, I like the atmosphere and the club, and I want to win something here, whether it's the league or the President's Cup.
"We will have a conversation with the club and again try to find a good solution."
Following Saturday's controversial draw with Al Ain, Ahli are third in the Pro League, 10 points behind the champions with six rounds left to play. The President's Cup, though, forms a more realistic opportunity of success, as Quique Sanchez Flores's side contest a semi-final, again against Al Ain, early next month.
"Although Al Jazira and Al Nasr can take points from Al Ain, and we can still fight for the league in the last six matches, it will be very difficult," Grafite said. "But we have a good chance in the President's Cup.
"We can change some motivations for the league but for now we need to think about the next game."
jmcauley@thenational.ae
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
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.
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
The specs: 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price, base / as tested Dh97,600
Engine 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight v-twin engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 78hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque 145Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.0L / 100km (estimate)
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
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