ABU DHABI // Some of the world's best-known footballers will play on the lawns of the Emirates Palace hotel next month.
On February 7, hours before an awards ceremony for 2010's best sports stars, some of the biggest names in the game will play against each other in a seven-a-side game.
Sir Bobby Charlton and Franz Beckenbauer will be there to cheer on legends such as the French defender Marcel Desailly and Holland's Edgar Davids.
Sir Bobby and Beckenbauer played against each other in the 1966 World Cup final when England beat West Germany 4-2.
Teams for the 60-minute match have yet to be decided, but the players will include Thomas Berthold, who played 62 times for Germany, and Ronald de Boer, capped 67 times for Holland, including the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.
Fernando Couto (110 caps for Portugal) will be lining up alongside Steve McManaman (37 caps for England). McManaman played 274 times for Liverpool and 94 times for Real Madrid. Other player include Dwight York, Manuel Sanchis and Ivan Helguera.
Sir Bobby said that with the boom in sport across the Gulf, it was "fitting" that a "high-class football match" should be part of the awards event.
After the game, the players will watch the Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey host the 2011 Laureus World Sports Awards at Emirates Palace.
The athletes up for awards include the Formula One drivers' champion Sebastian Vettel and Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, with the winners picked by a panel of 46 renowned sportsmen and women.
Proceeds will go to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports community sports projects around the world.
eharnan@thenational.ae
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
THE BIO: Mohammed Ashiq Ali
Proudest achievement: “I came to a new country and started this shop”
Favourite TV programme: the news
Favourite place in Dubai: Al Fahidi. “They started the metro in 2009 and I didn’t take it yet.”
Family: six sons in Dubai and a daughter in Faisalabad
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
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