Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama is two shots off the lead at the Asian Amateur Championship.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama is two shots off the lead at the Asian Amateur Championship.

UAE duo fail to make a splash in Singapore



The UAE's Khalid Yousuf and Ahmed Al Musharrekh struggled in the rain yesterday at the Asian Amateur Golf Championships in Singapore.

Yousuf, 21, was out in the worst of the weather, which delayed play for an hour at the Singapore Island Golf Club, and came in at 79, seven-over-par, and that means a sub-70 score today is needed if he is to make the cut.

Al Musharrekh, 20, has been in fantastic form for the past few months and his five bogeys and two birdies got him home at three-over 75. A later tee-time, when the weather had calmed down, helped him get around in a decent score.

Chris Vallender, the UAE coach, has been keen for his players to experience competing in different conditions and the early morning electric storms were not something they have ever had to cope with in the UAE. However, while the players were soaked, their spirits were not dampened.

"The tournament is one of the best organised events I have ever played in," Yousuf said.

"The course isn't long but it plays long due to the dampness and elevation of the tees and greens. I hit the ball well, but didn't score that great because I didn't hit enough fairways and that is the key on this course."

Al Musharrekh said: "The course is really hilly and you have to be able to hit draws and fades on almost every hole. If you don't do that, then you won't come in with a good score.

"My game was pretty good and I was on even par when I made some silly mistakes coming down the back nine. I'll try my best to get a low round to make sure I am inside the cut as comfortably as I can."

The 72-hole stroke play event boasts 120 players from 35 countries of the Asian Pacific Golf Confederation.

The winner will gain automatic entry into the Masters at Augusta next year, and is also allowed into a British Open qualifying event.

Lee Soo-min is in first place after round one, finishing the day with a score of 65, seven-under par. The 17-year-old South Korean carded a fantastic round that included six birdies and an eagle at the ninth to take him to the top of the leader board after 18 holes.

Hideki Matsuyama, the defending champion from Japan, is two shots farther back.

Vallender was proud of the way his two players dealt with the pressure and difficult conditions.

"Khalid actually played really well in some seriously wet weather and I feel sorry for him that his score wasn't what he wanted," he said.

"He's worked really hard on his game over the last couple of days in practice, but went on a bit of a bogey run over the first four holes on the back nine. That spoiled things for him a bit.

"Ahmed did better in the afternoon. He is playing with a lot more maturity and confidence these days regarding his course decisions. I'm sure he will be contending for the podium spots in the near future.

"The boys have conducted themselves brilliantly and have made many new friends and admirers among the players and officials. The UAE can be proud of these guys."

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

THE SPECS

Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre

Transmission: Seven-speed auto

Power: 165hp

Torque: 241Nm

Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000

On sale: now

The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Jewel of the Expo 2020

252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome

13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas

550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome

724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses

Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa

Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site

The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants

Al Wasl means connection in Arabic

World’s largest 360-degree projection surface

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Brief scores:

Toss: South Africa, chose to field

Pakistan: 177 & 294

South Africa: 431 & 43-1

Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)

Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0

No.6 Collaborations Project

Ed Sheeran (Atlantic)

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
On sale: Later this year
if you go

The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow. 
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes). 

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

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Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

SCHEDULE

Saturday, April 20: 11am to 7pm - Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival and Para jiu-jitsu.

Sunday, April 21: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (female) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Monday, April 22: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (male) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Tuesday, April 23: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Wednesday, April 24: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Thursday, April 25: 11am-5pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Friday, April 26: 3pm to 6pm Finals of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Saturday, April 27: 4pm and 8pm awards ceremony.