The Emirates Cricket Board has appointed Paul Franks as an assistant coach to the UAE national team, ahead of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next month.
Franks will support head coach Aaqib Javed and also take responsibility for the team’s fielding preparations.
Javed said: “Thanks to funding we are able to access, as part of our ICC High Performance Programme, we took a decision to employ the services of another quality coach to further support the team at the World Cup.
“Paul was a natural, easy choice. He made a strong, positive impact during the team’s three-week training camp, the players know him, and he knows their strengths as well as the areas they need to work on. We’re looking forward to having Paul on board.”
On loan to UAE Cricket from Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, Franks is part of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Level 4 – Elite Coach Development Programme.
Franks, 35, has only just finished playing in a career that included a one-day international for England and victory in the Under 19 World Cup.
“It took me a while to get my head around being approached by the Emirates Cricket Board, that was flattering enough in itself, and this is a huge opportunity for me at a very early stage in my coaching development,” Franks said.
“I’ve still got a lot to learn and World Cup’s don’t come around very often, it was a decision that didn’t take long. I’m grateful to Mick Newell and the staff at Nottinghamshire for giving me the chance to go away, learn, apply myself, and I’m hoping to bring that, and more, back to Trent Bridge this summer.”
The UAE leave for the World Cup next week, having been drawn in Pool B of the tournament, along with India, Zimbabwe, West Indies, Ireland, Pakistan and South Africa. They will play Australia (February 11) and Afghanistan (February 13) in warm-up games in Melbourne.
Their first tournament match is against Zimbabwe on February 19 in Nelson, New Zealand.
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
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Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
COMPANY PROFILE
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
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Running time: 81 minutes
Director: David Blue Garcia
Starring: Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham
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Fight card
1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)
4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)
5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)
6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)
9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)
10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)
11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
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