AL AIN // Residents of Al Ain came out in their numbers to support National Sports Day on Wednesday, relishing the mild afternoon weather and breeze as the sun set over the city.
Wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the hashtag #uae_unites_us, schoolgirls from Al Ain Sports Games Company took part in a tae kwon do training session at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium organised by Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club.
Aside from them practising their punches and kicks, a highlight was the breaking of wooden planks using only their bare hands and feet, with one participant leaping over two crouching girls to shatter a piece of wood with a mighty kick.
At Sheikh Tahnoon Stadium team sports such as basketball, handball and volleyball were on offer, allowing people of all ages the chance to participate.
Residents who preferred being in the water enjoyed swimming sessions at Al Tamayoz Primary Model School.
“Our participation in the National Sports Day is a response to our belief in the importance of building a culture of sports in the community, and living a healthy life where sports play a key role in our everyday lives,” said Khamis Al Kaabi, deputy chairman of Al Ain Club Sport Games.
Private schools also got in on the action, with pupils and parents taking to Brighton College’s athletics track with the goal of completing a cumulative 7,112 laps, the distance in kilometres between Zayed Sports City and Brighton College in the UK.
Another group of residents who participated consisted of jiu-jitsu practitioners from Palms Sports and the UAE national jiu jitsu team.
They put on a display at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, demonstrating fights, throws and ground-fighting techniques.
Al Ain resident Flavius Virginio, from Brazil, praised the idea of a national sports day.
“Sport is the best way to grow and build good character, especially for children,” the fourth-degree black belt said.
Some of the other events in Al Ain included football and table tennis tournaments at UAE University, the UAE Wireless Aircraft Championship at Al Ain Sportplex, and a tug-of-war challenge at the Zayed House for Islamic Culture.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
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“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1. |
United States |
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2. |
China |
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3. |
UAE |
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4. |
Japan |
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5 |
Norway |
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6. |
Canada |
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7. |
Singapore |
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8. |
Australia |
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9. |
Saudi Arabia |
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10. |
South Korea |
