Typically, at this time of year, the great and the good of the Arabian Gulf League come together for the season’s annual awards.
However, with the coronavirus prompting a suspension of play back in March, the ceremony most probably won't take place until the final seven rounds are complete - with a provisional date for the league's return set for August.
That said, The National has decided to hand out the prizes now, choosing our winners from the various categories based on the campaign thus far.
Best Emirati player: Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain)
No other candidate comes close. In fact, the Al Ain full-back-cum-winger is most probably the league’s standout player of the season, period. Just ask Kodjo Laba. The Togolese striker has been the chief profiteer of Al Ahbabi’s deadeye delivery, with eight of his 19 goals set up by the Emirati. Al Ahbabi, who mixes pace on the flank with precision in his crossing, leads the league with 12 assists from 17 league matches. Thanks in large part to the Al Ahbabi-Laba tandem, Al Ain sit second in the standings.
Honorable mention: Khalid Bawazir (Al Dhafra)
Best foreign player: Kodjo Laba (Al Ain)
What a debut season it’s been for the Al Ain frontman. Having arrived on a free transfer last June from Morocco’s RS Berkane, Laba has gone on to score 19 times in 18 league matches (four came in one outing, against Fujairah). Subsequently, the Togo international leads the race for the Golden Boot, four clear of his closest challenger, last season’s head marksman Sebastian Tagliabue. Finally, Al Ain appear to have a worthy replacement for the fabled Asamoah Gyan, five long years after the Ghanaian’s departure.
Honorable mention: Peniel Mlapa (Galba)
Best coach: Rodolfo Arruabarrena (Shabab Al Ahli)
OK, so this one's a little strange: the award goes to a manager no longer employed by his club. Arruabarrena was dismissed by Shabab Al Ahli Dubai in early March, much to everyone's surprise, since his side sat pretty at the summit. At the time, the Dubai club held a three-point advantage, while also boasting the league's best defence. However, a run of poor results in all competitions culminated in the 2-2 league draw with Al Nasr, and Arruabarrena was gone. In a not-surprising development, the Argentine has since attracted interest from a number of clubs.
Honorable mention: Vuk Rasovic (Al Dhafra)
Best young player: Khalifa Al Hammadi (Al Jazira)
A tough category to judge, but the UAE international just about edges it. Al Hammadi’s burgeoning reputation has continued to swell at the heart of the Jazira defence. Still only 21, the centre-back has started 16 matches in the league – he was an almost ever-present last season - and contributes to a formidable backline that boasts the division’s second-best defence (17 goals conceded). Now a regular with the national team, too. Al Hammadi is quick and intelligent and, crucially, still has considerable room for improvement.
Honorable mention: Majed Rashid (Kalba)
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Khorfakkan Stadium voted second most picturesque venue in Asia
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Best young foreign-born player: Glauber (Al Nasr)
A new element to the league this season has been the broadening of the “resident” category, which allows for the inclusion of foreign players aged 23 and under. Al Nasr have been a major beneficiary of that, with Brazilian defender Glauber proving an astute addition among a wealth of South American youngsters flooding the division. Joining from Botafogo, the 19-year-old has been a steady and sturdy figure in defence, displaying both his tenacity and technical ability through 18 league appearances. An accomplished centre-back with a bright future.
Honorable mention: George Dwubeng (Al Wasl)
Best goalkeeper: Khalid Al Senani (Al Dhafra)
A long-time understudy to Ali Kasheif at Al Jazira, the Emirati stopper has become one of the league’s most consistent performers between the posts. Al Senani leads the league’s stats for saves made (80), from a competition-high 103 attempts at him, while his resolve and reflexes indicate how integral role a role he has played in the club’s relatively healthy current placing of eighth. What is more, Al Senani captains the side. At 30, he has built on last season’s strong debut campaign in the Western Region.
Honorable mention: Majed Naser (Shabab Al Ahli)
Goal of the season: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira v Shabab Al Ahli)
While there have been more spectacular strikes this season, this sweeping move and expert finish deservedly lands the award. A hotly contested match between league leaders Shabab Al Ahli and Jazira was decided at the death, when the visitors sprung an 88th-minute counter-attack. With the score at 1-1, Omar Abdulrahman’s searching reverse pass from deep found Ali Mabkhout in space, who then centred first time to Mubarak. The midfielder took a few touches, composed himself, then cheekily scooped the ball over Majed Naser in the home goal. Jazira had snatched the points in emphatic fashion.
Honorable mention: Amer Abdulrahman (Al Jazira v Al Wahda)
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Trolls World Tour
Directed by: Walt Dohrn, David Smith
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake
Rating: 4 stars
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
Poland Statement
All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.
The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.
All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.
No person who has received refuge in Poland will be sent back to a country torn by war.
SPECS
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
Sonchiriya
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
Producer: RSVP Movies, Azure Entertainment
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Rana, Bhumi Pednekar, Ranvir Shorey
Rating: 3/5
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
'I Want You Back'
Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
Rating:4/5
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
THE%C2%A0SPECS
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
TOP 5 DRIVERS 2019
1 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 10 wins 387 points
2 Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 4 wins, 314 points
3 Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 3 wins, 260 points
4 Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2 wins, 249 points
5 Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1 win, 230 points
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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The biog
Name: Mohammed Imtiaz
From: Gujranwala, Pakistan
Arrived in the UAE: 1976
Favourite clothes to make: Suit
Cost of a hand-made suit: From Dh550
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Read more about the coronavirus
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
Titan Sports Academy:
Programmes: Judo, wrestling, kick-boxing, muay thai, taekwondo and various summer camps
Location: Inside Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Telephone: 971 50 220 0326
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Abu Dhabi Card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,400m
National selection: AF Mohanak
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 90,000 1,400m
National selection: Jayide Al Boraq
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 100,000 1,400m
National selection: Rocket Power
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh 180,000 1,600m
National selection: Ihtesham
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,600m
National selection: Noof KB
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 2.200m
National selection: EL Faust
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Honeymoonish
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