During the weekdays, Hamad Shawqi Sajwani is a foreign-exchange trader at Standard Chartered Bank. But on the weekends, this 26-year-old Emirati from Dubai is a rock climber who has developed more than 10 climbing routes in Dibba, Oman, in the past two years. Tomorrow, he seeks to climb at least 250 metres in Al Buraimi, Oman, for his bank's global campaign "Seeing is Believing", which aims to raise US$100 million (Dh367.3m) by 2020 for the blind.
How does a day in your life look?
I get to the office around 8.30am and spend the next two hours analysing foreign exchange markets. There's a lot of excitement, and I tend to have lunch at [my] desk almost every day. I easily spend 11 hours at my desk. This is a job that requires 24-hour attention.
You took up rock climbing in 2008. Why this sport?
It's a physically and mentally challenging sport. And also it takes you out to beautiful places. I did some rock-climbing in Spain, Thailand, South Africa, France, Turkey and the US, and those were some of the happiest moments of my life. As a child, I was always a big fan of the mountains. My father often used to take us kids to picnic in the wadis of Hatta. I like playing football, too, but you have to play with a team. I like my independence and be judged for who I am. Hanging 30 metres above the ground at times, rock climbing is like playing psychological games. I love competing against myself.
How often do you go out rock-climbing?
I go out with other climbers every Saturday. I have been going to Dibba for climbing almost every Saturday this last year. Dibba offers a variety of climbing, such as sport climbing and bouldering among others. I have helped develop more than 10 climbing routes in the area.
Why did you choose to support Standard Chartered Bank's "Seeing is Believing" fundraiser?
I really believe in physical fitness to add value to anything. I decided to climb for the cause, and the bank encouraged me to do so. The climb [tomorrow] has already attracted donations to the fund, and Standard Chartered will match every dollar raised. So far, I have raised $8,000. In underdeveloped countries, they need really simple things to make ends meet. If [the blind] can see, they can add value to life.
Who will be there with you?
I have a volunteer from the bank who will testify to the fact that I have indeed climbed so many metres. I will have three climbing friends, who will hold the rope for me. I will be there by 8.30am and start climbing by 9am. I have to pace myself, though, because I will be climbing under 45°C for the full day, under the sun.
* Sananda Sahoo
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TOUR RESULTS AND FIXTURES
June 3: NZ Provincial Barbarians 7 Lions 13
June 7: Blues 22 Lions 16
June 10: Crusaders 3 Lions 12
June 13: Highlanders 23 Lions 22
June 17: Maori All Blacks 10 Lions 32
June 20: Chiefs 6 Lions 34
June 24: New Zealand 30 Lions 15 (First Test)
June 27: Hurricanes 31 Lions 31
July 1: New Zealand 21 Lions 24 (Second Test)
July 8: New Zealand v Lions (Third Test) - kick-off 11.30am (UAE)
MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 1', Kane 8' & 16') West Ham United 3 (Balbuena 82', Sanchez og 85', Lanzini 90' 4)
Man of the match Harry Kane
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
MATCH RESULT
Al Jazira 3 Persepolis 2
Jazira: Mabkhout (52'), Romarinho (77'), Al Hammadi (90' 6)
Persepolis: Alipour (42'), Mensha (84')
The specs: 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible
Price, base / as tested: Dh283,080 / Dh318,465
Engine: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 295hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.2L / 100km
Hamilton’s 2017
Australia - 2nd; China - 1st; Bahrain - 2nd; Russia - 4th; Spain - 1st; Monaco - 7th; Canada - 1st; Azerbaijan - 5th; Austria - 4th; Britain - 1st; Hungary - 4th; Belgium - 1st; Italy - 1st; Singapore - 1st; Malaysia - 2nd; Japan - 1st; United States - 1st; Mexico - 9th
MATCH INFO
England 241-3 (20 ovs)
Malan 130 no, Morgan 91
New Zealand 165 all out (16.5ovs)
Southee 39, Parkinson 4-47
England win by 76 runs
Series level at 2-2
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre V6
Power: 295hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 355Nm at 5,200rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
Price: Dh179,999-plus
On sale: now
TUESDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court
Starting at 2pm:
Elina Svitolina (UKR) [3] v Jennifer Brady (USA)
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) v Belinda Bencic (SUI [4]
Not before 7pm:
Sofia Kenin (USA) [5] v Elena Rybakina (KAZ)
Maria Sakkari (GRE) v Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) [7]
Court One
Starting at midday:
Karolina Muchova (CZE) v Katerina Siniakova (CZE)
Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) v Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR)
Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) v Dayana Yastermska (UKR)
Petra Martic (CRO) [8] v Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE)
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) v Anett Kontaveit (EST)
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Newcastle 2-2 Manchester City
Burnley 0-2 Crystal Palace
Chelsea 0-1 West Ham
Liverpool 2-1 Brighton
Tottenham 3-2 Bournemouth
Southampton v Watford (late)
Match info
Wolves 0
Arsenal 2 (Saka 43', Lacazette 85')
Man of the match: Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal)
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday, February 8 v Kenya; Friday, February 9 v Canada; Sunday, February 11 v Nepal; Monday, February 12 v Oman; Wednesday, February 14 v Namibia; Thursday, February 15 final
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
