ABU DHABI // Mohammed Al Menhali had never held a bow and arrow before he stepped up to Al Forsan archery challenge yesterday on the opening day of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
"It was just something I thought would be fun to do," said Mr Al Menhali, who struggled with the large bow at first but cheered when his arrow hit the target.
The Qatari equestrian competition manager has come to Adihex for the past two years in search of products for his horses and camels.
"I need the best for them," said Mr Al Menhali.
He was one of hundreds of visitors on the first day of the annual event.
Nearly 600 exhibitors from an estimated 28 countries packed the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) for the region's only hunting, equestrian and outdoor sport show.
Wares on offer included from shotguns embellished with animal prints to a vibrating exercise floor for horses.
Sellers said the four-day event had begun smoothly.
"We've already had a lot of people come by to see us," said Mohammed Arbabi, the sales supervisor of Al Hadaf Company, a Kuwaiti hunting and sports equipment company that has participated in Adihex since 2007.
"This exhibition brings a lot of countries together," said Mr Arbabi. "Our clients don't always get to come to Kuwait to see us, so they get to meet us here."
In the falconry area of the exhibition, five birds had been sold at the Falcon Centre before the doors officially opened at 5pm.
Along the back wall of Adnec, the queue for target practice with a paintball gun blocked the main walkway.
At the Tamreen Sports stand, staff were busy showing off exclusive pieces to the knife collectors who crowded around the glass cases.
At the pavilion for the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (Adach), traditional Emirati events and activities raised awareness about the UAE and its culture.
"This is a great cultural exhibition, because not only does it celebrate local heritage, it also explains it to the expatriate population," said Dr Sulayman Khalaf, an expert on intangible heritage at Adach.
The authority is hosting a traditional games corner and three hospitality areas at its stand, in addition to a handicrafts area and a painting and photography contest.
Adihex will run until Saturday from 11am to 10pm.
The event features camel auctions, Saluki and falcon beauty contests, art competitions and traditional hunting and equestrian activities.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase the latest camping, hunting, equestrian and weaponry equipment from more than 500 brands.
For Maryna de Klerk, a jewellery designer from South Africa, Adihex is a chance to show off her creativity.
Ms de Klerk, who has attended the exhibition for the past three years, makes bright and bejewelled Saluki collars.
"The antique Saluki collars were just so elaborate and beautiful and all the modern ones I was seeing were boring, so I just started making my own," said Ms de Klerk, who fashions her products out of cotton and beads.
"Adihex brings people together and helps those of us outside this fantastic heritage and background to be exposed to it."
Other event highlights include competitions on preparing Arabic coffee the traditional way, writing the best research paper on Arab hunting or equestrian traditions and presenting the finest hunting, equestrian and heritage paintings.
The exhibition will also include a nabati poetry competition.
Prizes will be given in one of three categories - the best poem describing a bird, the best poem describing a hunting trip and the best poem about losing a bird.
jthomas@thenational.ae
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
How to volunteer
The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Price, base / as tested Dh150,900 / Dh173,600
Engine 2.0L inline four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 211hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
India Test squad
Kohli (c), Dhawan, Rahul, Vijay, Pujara, Rahane (vc), Karun, Karthik (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Pandya, Ishant, Shami, Umesh, Bumrah, Thakur
