A Pakistani factory worker in Abu Dhabi is ready to change the lives of his loved ones after winning the Dh10 million ($2.7m) jackpot in the Mahzooz weekly draw.
Saad, 32, said he planned to bring his family to the UAE after the country was “so good to him”.
At the Mahzooz headquarters in Dubai on Thursday, he explained how he would try to bring good fortune to others.
The machine mechanic, who lives in a labour accommodation and earns Dh2,000 a month, said he could barely believe his eyes when his numbers came up.
I have always wanted to go travelling with my wife. It’s been a long-time dream of ours and now we can finally make it come true at last
Saad
“I had to check with my friends and we all looked at the app on our phones and realised it actually was happening,” he said.
“I was so excited that I was shaking. It was an incredible feeling.
“I haven’t been able to bring my wife to live here but that’s going to change.”
Saad does the draw each week, picking a line himself and asking his wife, who lives in Pakistan, to choose the other.
It was his line consisting of 5, 14, 18, 24 and 35 that came up trumps and made him a multimillionaire overnight.
“I support my wife and my sister back home, who lost her husband last year to a brain tumour, so I am planning on helping them all move to the UAE to get the same opportunities I have,” Saad said.
Turning dreams into a reality
“I have always wanted to go travelling with my wife. It’s been a long-time dream of ours and now we can finally make it come true at last.”
Saad said he was going to spend time following one of his passions – cricket.
He plans to attend the T20 World Cup in Australia this month, but said he would also help some of those involved in the sport closer to home.
He said he was part of the Star Players team that comprised residents of his labour accommodation.
“I am going to make sure we have the very best equipment to play with. We might be called the Star Players but now we really will be," Saad said.
He also plans to make a donation to help victims of the floods in Pakistan and wants to establish a tourism business in the UAE and his home country.
The public can take part in the weekly Mahzooz draw by purchasing a bottle of water for Dh35, which is then distributed to the needy.
Buying the bottle allows you to take part in the draw.
“We’re in the business of making dreams come true and transforming lives,” said Farid Samji, chief executive of Ewings, the company that operates the weekly draw.
“Saad didn’t even have his own debit card or chequebook, he only had a salary account with the bank.
“We’ve had to help him set up a new bank account. That’s one example of how much of a difference this has made to his life.”
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
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Mubalada World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule
Thursday December 27
Men's quarter-finals
Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm
Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm
Women's exhibition
Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm
Friday December 28
5th place play-off 3pm
Men's semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm
Saturday December 29
3rd place play-off 5pm
Men's final 7pm
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Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
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Financing stage: $250,000 bootstrap funding, approaching VC firms this year
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
