The Emirati students at the Ras al Khaimah Men's College could hardly believe their eyes.
On the board was a photo of a young Diego Maradona wearing the blue and gold of Argentinian club Boca Juniors with his arms around a child on either side of him.
The child on his left was their business lecturer, Emiliano Villanueva.
"Last semester there was a football theme at the college and my picture was there," Mr Villanueva said. "The kids were surprised. Maradona was so young. I was eight years old, so they were surprised to see their teacher with Maradona."
The picture was taken on Argentina's National Day, May 25, 1981, at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza. Mr Villanueva's father snapped the photo.
Mr Villanueva is particularly fond of the picture because it was taken before Maradona had played in his first World Cup, in 1982, and before he became a household name after his two famous goals against England at the 1986 tournament - "The hand of God" and "The Goal of the Century". That year's team became champions.
Maradona now coaches Argentina and Mr Villanueva is expecting his squad, including the 2009 player of the year, Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, to go far in the tournament.
"I am very proud of Maradona as a football player," Mr Villanueva said. "As a manager, he is just starting. If he gets Argentina to the final it will be quite an achievement for him."
Mr Villanueva will be following the team's progress from the northernmost emirate, where he, his wife and their son and daughter, aged nine and four, are the only Argentines. He arrived about four years ago from Barcelona.
During the World Cup, he said,that will make for interesting viewing as his friends will take turns hosting when their country is playing.
"We are very well organised," he said. "The community has lot of different nationalities so we are going to get together."
He will be heading back to Argentina in mid-June, but in the meantime, he said he could count on support from his 20-year-old students, who are "very football oriented".
"These guys love football here," he said. "They know everything about football. It is like my topic every single day at the college with my students. So it is going to be a great experience for me to be here."
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Hotel Data Cloud profile
Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
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
