There was a palpable buzz at the Mubadala Arena after the Al Hammadi sisters created history by becoming the first Emirati females to win world titles at the IMMAF Youth World Championships.
Zamzam, 15, and Ghala, 14, were thoroughly impressive as they made their debuts at the youth words in Abu Dhabi, raising hopes of a successful career in the sport.
The Abu Dhabi schoolgirls have been in training for a long time and their latest achievement is just reward for all the hard work, believes Tolly Plested.
Plested, the head coach of the UAE Mixed Martial Arts Federation, has no doubts about the potential of the Abu Dhabi sisters and expects them to continue raising the bar.
“I was fortunate to work with these two girls for the last two months and their work ethics are second to none,” the Englishman, who took charge of the national team two months ago, told The National.
“They are very talented and the support their mother gives them is unbelievable. I am looking forward to seeing their journey to the top and achieving their goals of one day making it to the UFC.”
Zamzam overcame three opponents en route to winning the 52-kg final and Ghala was successful in the 40kg division. The UAE rounded off the championships with four golds and as many silver and bronze medals to finish fourth in the table.
Ukraine topped the list with the USA and Tajikistan taking second and third spots respectively in the four-day championships that drew around 650 athletes from 46 countries.
Plested credited teamwork for the results at the youth worlds.
“We had a world champion last year, which was great, and this time to have two Emirati females for the first time ever and two males as world champions were incredible,” Plested said.
“People around the world realise how fast the levels increase every year as these competitions keep growing with more countries involved. These competitions only get stronger and popular and it was an incredible result for us.”
Plested, 41, was overwhelmed by the reactions from the athletes and their families.
“Speaking to them of results, the athletes and some of the parents were immensely proud of what we achieved,” he said.
“I think people have started to believe the MMA scene here is growing and the city is really becoming the MMA hub of the world with UFC, UAE Warriors fight cards and IMMAF championships.
“With the youth squad, it’s been a lot of work in preparing, getting them together from various parts of the country, but I enjoy challenges.
“I enjoy the process, training two to three times a day, six days a week, looking back at the days when I was competing. It was a huge task preparing the athletes from different teams and coordinating with their coaches.
“Massive thanks to the coaching staff and the UAEMMA Federation for the last three weeks in putting up the squad of 40 athletes together. We couldn’t have put on a show without their help and support.
“We are very fortunate the youth here have an excellent programme for jiu-jitsu and other various martial arts. It gives a great foundation for them.
“I am proud with the squad we assembled and what we achieved in such a short space of time.”
Plested has 18 years of coaching experience. Prior to that, as a professional MMA fighter, he was undefeated in nine appearances but cut short his career to concentrate on coaching.
“Coaching took over my life,” he said. “I followed my passion for coaching. I didn’t have the time to do both, fighting as a pro and getting on with my coaching.
“As a professional athlete, one has to be selfish but as a coach one has to be selfless to give everything to the athletes. I had my time as a professional fighter for ten years, and I learnt a lot from it.”
After leaving college, Plested worked as an engineer in the world of motorsports but eventually got more involved in martial arts. He then started to pursue MMA fulltime.
“I started training in karate when I was seven and then virtually trained in all combat sports,” he said.
“I competed in karate as a kid and boxing in my twenties, and then started kickboxing, and jiu-jitsu and judo, in which I received black belts. I began my own gym but closed it to work as a full-time coach with the UFC in the UK and in the UAE.”
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
57%20Seconds
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Brief scores:
Kashima Antlers 0
River Plate 4
Zuculini 24', Martinez 73', 90 2', Borre 89' (pen)
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%20Twin-turbocharged%204-litre%20V8%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20625%20bhp%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20630Nm%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh974%2C011%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)
On sale: Now
