The success of the Fiba Under 17 World Championship at Dubai has opened up the possibility of the UAE, along with other Gulf nations, sharing the hosting of the Fiba World Cup, according to the organisation’s president Yvan Mannini.
Mannini said he had been impressed by the UAE’s hosting ability of the youth tournament but considered that the adult tournament, which consists of 32 teams rather than 16 at Under 17 level, too big to be held in the country on its own.
“I say for the future, everything is possible,” said Mannini, who will step down from his role with the international basketball governing body next month. “First, I do think it’s very difficult for the UAE to organise [the World Cup] alone. It may be possible with some other country in the Gulf.
“There are now 32 teams in the final round of the World Cup, which is maybe too big for a country like UAE.
“You can maybe do something together. It’s a very interesting thing to have a good network around Dubai and have something like this.”
While he said that the UAE could host Fiba’s pinnacle event with a partner country, such as Qatar, Mannini added that with what he has seen at the Under 17 tournament, other, larger Fiba events could be held at Dubai’s Hamdan Sports Complex.
“I am sure that the UAE will be a good organisation for the future of Fiba. When I saw a venue like this, I think we can do something more,” he said.
The spacious Hamdan Sports Complex, with its giant video scoreboard and court built over a swimming pool, has had the feel of a scaled-down version of the US NCAA tournament Final Four, which often takes place at NFL stadiums.
“We hope that we showed the world what we did for Fiba, to organise this in Dubai. We brought everybody together,” UAE basketball federation president Ismail Al Qarqawi said. “This is, we hope, not the last time we provide this kind of international basketball, but is the beginning.
“We do our best to have a good relation with Fiba and we want to participate in all the international activities of Fiba – clinics for coaches or referees, technical, matches, whatever.
“We are ready, we are open to benefit from all this activity with international basketball.”
The latest staging of the Fiba World Cup, the 17th, begins on August 30 in Spain and runs until September 14.
Mannini named the Philippines as another place that could host a tournament.
“If somebody organises in a good way, if somebody can do the same in South Africa or the Philippines, then there’s no problem,” he said.
“The Philippines is very interested in this, we can go to this country, no problem.”
Mannini said the Middle East was a prime target for growth in the sport and outlined how basketball could take root in the region.
“This area, I think we are working very hard [to grow the game], not directly but indirectly,” he said of Fiba’s plans. I think for example, the three-on-three tournaments are very good practice for these countries.
“I am confident that all these federations from this area are very interested in basketball. I think that the most important thing is the pupils, the youths, are playing in the schools and so on. After some years we can grow.
“The most important thing is to have a good number of players. Just now, there is not a very big number of players – we must have more.
“In this case we can progress and grow, we can have better local championships and we can build something.
“We must go step by step, we cannot think we can do everything like this,” Mannini said, snapping his fingers. “It’s not possible.”
Looking beyond this region’s ties to basketball, the outgoing president hinted at global basketball’s long-term future. He highlighted the organisation’s Calendar 2017 project, an ambitious restructuring of the international schedule, as the body attempts to make its World Cup a more recognised and admired event, to perhaps even rival basketball at the Olympics, the premier forum for the game.
Mannini said Fiba is “not a bank, it’s not a very rich federation”.
But Calendar 2017 is incorporating more input from the NBA, which will send a representative to Fiba’s central board.
Mark Tatum, the new NBA deputy commissioner to new commissioner Adam Silver, has shown a keen interest in building basketball, and the NBA brand, globally.
He will join the Fiba board.
“We have a very close relationship with the NBA,” Mannini said.
“We are working very hard on this. It’s very important to see a close relation.”
jraymond@thenational.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Kibsons%20Cares
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
THREE
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'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'
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if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
Biography
Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related
Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.
Family: Wife and three children.
Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
