ABU DHABI // More than 50 Emirati children had their first feel of a rugby ball and went on to enjoy the rough and tumble of the sport in the Etihad Airways Harlequins Rugby School at Al Ghazal Golf Club yesterday.
The four-day clinic ends on Saturday by which time 400 Emitati and international children will have taken part in the taster sessions.
Dean Richards, the former England and Lions No 8 and now the Harlequins director of rugby, heading the coaching team said: "It was a marriage made in heaven to have Etihad and Harlequins come together to help and develop rugby in an emerging part of the world.
"It is very rewarding to see so many children given the opportunity - some or most of them for the first time in rugby. There is some good talent already in Abu Dhabi."
Richards was joined by Harlequins' club captain Will Skinner, David Strettle, the England international, and the coaching staff.
The sessions have been designed for the seven to 14 age group with the classes in the mornings and evenings.
Etihad will next co-host the region's largest junior rugby tournament with the Abu Dhabi Harlequins Rugby Club at the same venue on Nov 14-15. Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' executive vice president marketing, said they were delighted to be involved with such a high- profile coaching team from the Harlequins conducting the rugby school.
"It gives me great pleasure using one of our global sporting partners to give something back to the local community," he said.
Meanwhile, Mohammed al Mahmoud, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council's general secretary, added: "The Etihad Harlequins Rugby Schools are a great initiative for the Emirati children and truly enhances the Middle East's youth rugby programme."
apassela@thenational.ae
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
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Director: Amith Krishnan
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Two-step truce
The UN-brokered ceasefire deal for Hodeidah will be implemented in two stages, with the first to be completed before the New Year begins, according to the Arab Coalition supporting the Yemeni government.
By midnight on December 31, the Houthi rebels will have to withdraw from the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Al Saqef, coalition officials told The National.
The second stage will be the complete withdrawal of all pro-government forces and rebels from Hodeidah city, to be completed by midnight on January 7.
The process is to be overseen by a Redeployment Co-ordination Committee (RCC) comprising UN monitors and representatives of the government and the rebels.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
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Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Scoreline
Australia 2-1 Thailand
Australia: Juric 69', Leckie 86'
Thailand: Pokklaw 82'
