Foreign footballers such as Fernando Baiano, Andre Senghor and Bare could be eligible to play for the UAE national team if the Football Association's proposal to reduce residency requirements for citizenship from five years to three is passed at the Fifa congress this week.
Fifa's 208 member associations are expected to vote on the proposal in Zurich on Wednesday.
"We believe that five years is too long to wait for citizenship, and I know there were some countries who wanted the time to be two years, but three is about right," said Dr Saleem bin Suroor al Shamsi, the head of the UAE's players status and transfer committee.
"I think this will go through because Africa and Asia are big supporters, and they are not alone. It is going to help smaller countries such as us to improve the national team because we would have a bigger pool to choose from."
If the rule passes, the UAE would be able to field a national team that included players age 18 or over who have lived in the UAE continuously for three years and have not played internationally for their home country.
Among expatriates who have played in the Pro League for the past three seasons are the strikers Baiano, Senghor and Bare, who among them have scored 120 league goals since the 2008/09 season, and the midfielder, Pinga, who has scored 35. None of the four, three Brazilians and the Senegalese Senghor, are known to have played for the countries of their birth.
The UAE has also asked that players under 18 be eligible if they have lived in a country for five years, which would allow young expatriates to represent the UAE at youth level.
The UAE has used Omani-born players before. If the proposal passes they could lay claim to players from bigger football nations at the Pro League clubs, as well as young players who develop here but then return home.
"Before, if a player turned 21 and was not born here, the country of their birth would snap them up," Dr al Shamsi said. "That has happened a lot to us. Now we would be able to pick them. The clubs have started to bring through young African players and, if these rules changes are made, they could represent the UAE.
"Maybe one day we will see a Brazilian play for us. I hope so. That's the idea. This country has so many nationalities living here, and we want to see some of them represented in our football team. Also this would give many more players the opportunity to play international football that they would not have had as their own country would not play them."
Srecko Katanec, the national team coach, would welcome the chance to get young African or Asian players into the side.
"I have always said that if a young player who is not born in the country, has lived here and schooled here, then that FA should be able to work with him," he said. "I would like to see that because it would give me more options to choose from."
Other countries have used foreign-born players for their national teams. Qatar has five Brazilian-born players in their squad, in part because its professional league has few restrictions on foreign signings and players tend to stay for five years or more.
The rule change could have an effect on the Pro League because clubs could entice players who might not have a chance to play for their home country to come here and play for the UAE.
Carlo Nohra, the chief executive of the league, supports the proposal.
"This is something we have been in discussions about with the UAE FA and we believe it is important to open the door to all residents in the country," he said.
[email protected]
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a saleÂ
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Federer's 19 grand slam titles
Australian Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Marat Safin; 2006 bt Marcos Baghdatis; 2007 bt Fernando Gonzalez; 2010 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Rafael Nadal
French Open (1 title) - 2009 bt Robin Soderling
Wimbledon (8 titles) - 2003 bt Mark Philippoussis; 2004 bt Andy Roddick; 2005 bt Andy Roddick; 2006 bt Rafael Nadal; 2007 bt Rafael Nadal; 2009 bt Andy Roddick; 2012 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Marin Cilic
US Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Lleyton Hewitt; 2005 bt Andre Agassi; 2006 bt Andy Roddick; 2007 bt Novak Djokovic; 2008 bt Andy Murray
PROFILE
Name: Enhance FitnessÂ
Year started: 2018Â
Based: UAEÂ
Employees: 200Â
Amount raised: $3mÂ
Investors: Global Ventures and angel investorsÂ
PAKISTAN SQUAD
Abid Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali (test captain), Babar Azam (T20 captain), Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Imran Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Sohail Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz, Imad Wasim, Kashif Bhatti, Shadab Khan and Yasir Shah.Â
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.Â
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
Brief scoreline:
Toss: South Africa, elected to bowl first
England (311-8): Stokes 89, Morgan 57, Roy 54, Root 51; Ngidi 3-66
South Africa (207):Â De Kock 68, Van der Dussen 50; Archer 3-27, Stokes 2-12
ESSENTIALS
The flightsÂ
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
Â
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
More from Armen Sarkissian
Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick PopeÂ
Defenders: John Stones, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Gary Cahill, Ashley Young, Danny Rose, Trent Alexander-ArnoldÂ
Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian DelphÂ
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739Â
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960Â
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,†says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,†Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.â€
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809Â
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052Â
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210Â
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marinaâ€, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629Â
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818Â
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770Â
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002Â
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152Â
Day 2, stumps
Pakistan 482
Australia 30/0 (13 ov)
Australia trail by 452 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the innings
Greatest Royal Rumble match listing
50-man Royal Rumble -Â names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant)Â Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Rusev
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v Kalisto
A Prayer Before Dawn
Director: Jean-Stephane Sauvaire
Starring: Joe Cole, Somluck Kamsing, Panya Yimmumphai
Three stars
In 2018, the ICRC received 27,756 trace requests in the Middle East alone. The global total was 45,507.
Â
There are 139,018 global trace requests that have not been resolved yet, 55,672 of these are in the Middle East region.
Â
More than 540,000 individuals approached the ICRC in the Middle East asking to be reunited with missing loved ones in 2018.
Â
The total figure for the entire world was 654,000 in 2018.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16, second leg (first-leg scores in brackets):
PSG (2) v Manchester United (0)
Midnight (Thursday), BeINÂ Sports
Fight card
Preliminaries:
Nouredine Samir (UAE) v Sheroz Kholmirzav (UZB);Â Lucas Porst (SWE) v Ellis Barboza (GBR);Â Mouhmad Amine Alharar (MAR) v Mohammed Mardi (UAE);Â Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) v Spyro Besiri (GRE);Â Aslamjan Ortikov (UZB) v Joshua Ridgwell (GBR)
Main card:
Carlos Prates (BRA) v Dmitry Valent (BLR);Â Bobirjon Tagiev (UZB) v Valentin Thibaut (FRA);Â Arthur Meyer (FRA) v Hicham Moujtahid (BEL);Â Ines Es Salehy (BEL) v Myriame Djedidi (FRA);Â Craig Coakley (IRE) v Deniz Demirkapu (TUR);Â Artem Avanesov (ARM) v Badreddine Attif (MAR);Â Abdulvosid Buranov (RUS) v Akram Hamidi (FRA)
Title card:
Intercontinental Lightweight:Â Ilyass Habibali (UAE) v Angel Marquez (ESP)
Intercontinental Middleweight:Â Amine El Moatassime (UAE) v Francesco Iadanza (ITA)
Asian Featherweight:Â Zakaria El Jamari (UAE) v Phillip Delarmino (PHI)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
The specs
Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel
Battery: Rimac 120kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power: 1877bhp
Torque: 2300Nm
Price: Dh7,500,00
On sale: Now
Â
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdullah%20Khan%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPenguin%20Random%20House%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E304%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results
5.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m
Winner Spirit Of Light, Clement Lecoeuvre (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer)
6.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner Bright Start, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
6.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner Twelfthofneverland, Nathan Crosse, Satish Seemar
7.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Imperial Empire, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
7.50pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m
Winner Record Man, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
8.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner Celtic Prince, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly
Where to apply
Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020.Â
Please send applications to [email protected] and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)â€.
The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020.Â
Huddersfield Town permanent signings:
- Steve Mounie (striker): signed from Montpellier for £11 million
- Tom Ince (winger): signed from Derby County for £7.7m
- Aaron Mooy (midfielder): signed from Manchester City for £7.7m
- Laurent Depoitre (striker): signed from Porto for £3.4m
- Scott Malone (defender): signed from Fulham for £3.3m
- Zanka (defender): signed from Copenhagen for £2.3m
- Elias Kachunga (winger): signed for Ingolstadt for £1.1m
- Danny WIlliams (midfielder): signed from Reading on a free transfer
