A 17-year-old pupil in Dubai has collected and donated 231 pairs of used football boots to children who cannot afford them but who love to play the beautiful game.
Ahmad Ghandour, a Year 12 pupil at Nord Anglia International School, said a recent summer holiday to his home country Lebanon "broke his heart" when a young child at a refugee camp came up to him to ask if he could borrow his boots.
“This little child asked me if he could borrow my [boots] to play football with his friends. I was baffled; it was my first time experiencing something like that. So I just vowed to make a change,” Ahmad told The National.
Ahmad said he and his cousins were at the refugee camp to teach some children, and were shocked beyond words when they saw many of them had no boots to wear.
“I began talking to them and they told me they couldn't afford [boots], that they were not within their reach. And that just broke my heart,” he said.
Ahmad was so moved by the children's plight that he decided to help them.
Over the past year, he has been collecting boots and sending them as gifts to refugee children in Lebanon.
His enterprising initiative first began as a word-of-mouth affair, followed by social media messages, he said.
Ahmad has set up a website, onekickaway.com, where he urges people to make donations, especially of old and used football boots and trainers.
“My father and I were brainstorming ideas for a name for the website, but we were blank," he said.
"On the same day, we went for a car ride, and there was this song on the radio. It was called One Call Away. And I thought that was probably a good title. Then I started thinking about that. First, I thought something like, One Shoe Away, but then we decided to go with, One Kick Away."
On April 7, The National accompanied Ahmad and his mother as they drove around Dubai to pick up boots from his friends.
Ahmad's mother, Hania Daher, usually drives him around.
This fills her with pride, but also provides an opportunity to spend some quality time with her son, she said.
“I am his Uber and for free,” Ms Daher said jokingly, as her son gave her services a 'five-star’ rating.
“This is the only time where we can see each other properly, where we spend quality time,” she said.
In March, she travelled to Lebanon with the first set of 231 boots, all donated by people in the UAE.
Ahmad showed The National a few videos on his phone which his mother had made while distributing the boots among the refugee children at Lebanon’s Malaak NGO.
The short clips were full of joy.
“Thank you, Ahmad, for letting us play football,” chanted the children, as they tried on the boots.
“The idea was fuelled by his love for football, as well as a desire to help the victims of the ongoing financial and societal crisis in Lebanon,” reads Ahmad's website.
“I feel like this [initiative] is like a needle in a haystack. And I want to build on this and take this as a learning initiative and hopefully start some more things like this,” Ahmad, who is a defender for The Football Academy in Dubai, said.
The teenage philanthropist is now collecting more boots and plans to send another batch to Lebanon as soon as he has enough.
“One of my main goals and ambitions through this is that one of [these children] might pursue football later on in their career. I don’t know, but maybe I will make the next Ronaldo or Messi. That’s kind of like my dream," he said.
Dubai pupil joins global list of change makers - in pictures
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Astra%20Tech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdallah%20Abu%20Sheikh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20technology%20investment%20and%20development%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Director: Athale
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The Vile
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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.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
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The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 720hp
Torque: 770Nm
Price: Dh1,100,000
On sale: now
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Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
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Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
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Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
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France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
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Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
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