Sheikha Latifa was on Sunday named as a goodwill ambassador of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games in South Korea, writes Ahmed Rizvi. Here's why:
Past success
Riding Kalaska De Semily, Sheikha Latifa won two silver medals at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games in the equestrian jumping individual and team events.
Inspiration
Sheikha Latifa, who also took a bronze at the 2006 Asian Games in Qatar and qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is hoping her appointment will inspire Emirati athletes to seek qualification for the 2014 Games. “I hope that in my role as goodwill ambassador I will inspire athletes from all over the UAE to come together and represent our nation at the greatest festival of sport in Asia,” she said.
Spreading the word
The 17th Asian Games will be held in the South Korean port city of Incheon from September 19 to October 4, and the organising committee have embarked on a roadshow around six countries to promote the Games. The UAE is one of those six destinations, along with Uzbekistan, India, Singapore, Vietnam and China.
Giving support
“It is a great pleasure to be selected as a destination for the 2014 Asian Games roadshow,” said Yousuf Al Serkal, first vice president of the UAE National Olympic Committee. “We will continue to provide unsparing support to help the 2014 Incheon Games.”
Donation
The organising committee also made a donation to the UAE Youth Sports Development Programme. “Since 2007, we have been providing support and training opportunities to 17 countries like Afghanistan and Cambodia as part of our Vision 2014 programme,” said Song Young-gil, the chairman of the Incheon Asian Games organising committee’s executive board.
Diversity
Song believes the Games will celebrate the diversity of Asia. “Together we can make the Asian Games an international sporting festival of harmony and peace, providing a great opportunity to share their history, culture and religion,” he said.
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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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.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
