Al Jazira's new signing Ricardo Oliveira was humbled by the welcome he received.
Al Jazira's new signing Ricardo Oliveira was humbled by the welcome he received.

Fanfare begins early for Oliveira



ABU DHABI // For the costliest player, a substantial show of largesse. Ricardo Oliveira became the country's most expensive signing on Monday when he joined Al Jazira in a ?14 million (Dh72.5m) transfer from the Spanish club Real Betis. The deal may have been completed, but the spending went on with some exuberant happenings to mark his arrival amid some meaningful mayhem. The Brazilian striker was paraded on a stage as a laser show, loud pop music, television footage of him in action for clubs such as AC Milan and Valencia, played all around him.

A giant poster of him hung from a ceiling as hundreds of screaming schoolchildren with his name on their Jazira shirts clamoured for a sight of the new man. This was more than the red carpet treatment. He has played for some of Europe's biggest clubs, but it would be fair to say that Oliveira has not witnessed anything like this on his travels. A flabbergasted Oliveira, 29, said: "I didn't expect such a big welcome. It was a surprise and at the same time sank really deep in my heart. I think I'm getting the praise for what I have done in the past.

"It is normal for big clubs to have such grand shows for their big players. Cristiano Ronaldo was given a wonderful reception at Real Madrid. This type of welcome is reserved for high profile players and I was quite surprised for what I received tonight." It took more than two months though for Oliveira to finally sign a record deal with Jazira. "There were quite a few offers from European clubs," he said, "but Jazira came with the best offer. It was an offer I couldn't refuse. I discussed it with my family and the deal was completed."

Oliveira spoke in Spanish which was then translated into Arabic. He revealed he had carried out some ground work to discover more about the Pro League by phoning a friend. His fellow Brazilian and former Betis player Marcos Assuncao, who was plying his trade for Al Shabab last season, recommended he accepted the chance. "He gave me the all clear to accept the offer. I came to know through him that the UAE league was growing stronger every year with a lot of Brazilian players and coaches around. I took some time, but I think I made the right move at the end. Now I need to repay them by performing on the pitch. "I have made this decision and my focus is to help my new club to win trophies. I am aware Jazira finished runner-up twice in the league and my goal is to see them win this time."

Oliveira says he will feel the pressure and will probably bear the brunt of expectations on the pitch when he steps into the void left by compatriot Fernando Baiano, who crossed the capital to join Al Wahda. Baiano banged in 35 goals in all competitions to finish last season as top scorer. "Baiano has set such a high mark and the real challenge for me will be on the pitch to score goals for my new club. I have been training with my new teammates for more than a month, but the real test will come when I get on to the pitch."

Oliveira had been expected to play his first game in the Al Jazira Cup competition that kicked off last night at Zayed Sports City, but his debut will now be delayed until after the start of the Pro league on September 25 after he suffered a slight ankle injury in training. His coach Abel Braga did not want to risk his high profile signing in the pre-season friendly, saying: "It's not serious but it is serious enough to put him out for a longer period if it is aggravated. There is no point in taking the risk."

apassela@thenational.ae

Most wanted allegations
  • Benjamin Macann, 32: involvement in cocaine smuggling gang.
  • Jack Mayle, 30: sold drugs from a phone line called the Flavour Quest.
  • Callum Halpin, 27: over the 2018 murder of a rival drug dealer. 
  • Asim Naveed, 29: accused of being the leader of a gang that imported cocaine.
  • Calvin Parris, 32: accused of buying cocaine from Naveed and selling it on.
  • John James Jones, 31: allegedly stabbed two people causing serious injuries.
  • Callum Michael Allan, 23: alleged drug dealing and assaulting an emergency worker.
  • Dean Garforth, 29: part of a crime gang that sold drugs and guns.
  • Joshua Dillon Hendry, 30: accused of trafficking heroin and crack cocain. 
  • Mark Francis Roberts, 28: grievous bodily harm after a bungled attempt to steal a £60,000 watch.
  • James ‘Jamie’ Stevenson, 56: for arson and over the seizure of a tonne of cocaine.
  • Nana Oppong, 41: shot a man eight times in a suspected gangland reprisal attack. 
The biog

Name: Timothy Husband

Nationality: New Zealand

Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney

Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier

Favourite music: Billy Joel

Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia

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MATCH INFO

Liverpool v Manchester City, Sunday, 8.30pm UAE

How to avoid crypto fraud
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The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
SCHEDULE

Saturday, April 20: 11am to 7pm - Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival and Para jiu-jitsu.

Sunday, April 21: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (female) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Monday, April 22: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (male) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Tuesday, April 23: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Wednesday, April 24: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Thursday, April 25: 11am-5pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Friday, April 26: 3pm to 6pm Finals of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Saturday, April 27: 4pm and 8pm awards ceremony.

Results:

CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off

1.           Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds

2.           Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09

3.           Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42

4.           Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63

5.           Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74

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THE BIO

Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.

Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.

She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.

She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.

Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring  the natural world.

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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

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Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

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Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: Kevin Hart
3/5 stars

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
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SUZUME
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Essentials

The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes. 
 

Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes. 


In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes. 
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.

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In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff

The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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.
  • Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East

SPECS
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