The most successful golfer in the history of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters is back to defend her title this week and believes she has found her best form at the right time. Below, see what Shanshan Feng had to say ahead of the tournament:
Victory by 12 shots
The Dubai Ladies Masters has proven to be something of a happy hunting ground for the Chinese golfer as she has won the event three times in the past four years, and was dominant 12 months ago as she retained her title with victory by 12 shots, comfortably the biggest margin that the tournament has ever been won by.
Pressure
Feng is back at Emirates Golf Club this week aiming to win it for a fourth time, and a third time in a row, but appearing at a news conference yesterday ahead of the start of the event tomorrow, she said: “I never set a goal that will really give myself a lot of pressure,” she said. “I mean, you know, going for top five, I feel quite comfortable doing it.”
Make a lot of birdies
As to why she has shone in the past in Dubai, she said: “The fairways are not super narrow, and the greens are actually quite flat. So it’s going to be a birdie challenge course, and I know what I’ve been doing well here was my ball-striking is always good ... So if my putting is working and reading the lines right, then I know I can make a lot of birdies.”
Bring out my A game
Feng added: “I just want to enjoy, enjoy here, because every time I love coming back to Dubai, I love the golf course and love how the tournament is set up ... You know, if I can bring out my A Game, then maybe I have a chance to break the record [of 21 under par for the event which she has achieved twice before]. But that’s not what I’m going to go for.”
Confidence
Feng acknowledged she had a slow start to the year, but her form had picked up since winning bronze in the women’s tournament at the Olympic Games in Rio. “I didn’t play very well but then I think the Olympics was a very good breakthrough point,” she said. “That actually picked up my confidence again, and learned that I’m still Shanshan.”
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Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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38 days
273,600 calories consumed
28kg of fruit
40kg of vegetables
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SERIES SCHEDULE
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
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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
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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.
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Cricket World Cup League 2 Fixtures
Saturday March 5, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy (all matches start at 9.30am)
Sunday March 6, Oman v Namibia, ICC Academy
Tuesday March 8, UAE v Namibia, ICC Academy
Wednesday March 9, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy
Friday March 11, Oman v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Saturday March 12, UAE v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
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Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri, Muhammad Waseem, CP Rizwan, Vriitya Aravind, Asif Khan, Basil Hameed, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Karthik Meiyappan, Akif Raja, Rahul Bhatia
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Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
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