PowerUp March

www.powerup-mag.com

CRICKET T20

Bahrain BD2

KSA SR20

Kuwait KD1.75

Oman RO2

Qatar QR20

UAE DHS20

Six resident teams play the express edition of cricket right here in Bahrain.

Get to know your teams!

BAHRAIN’S STRONGEST MAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2018 Self-challenging championship #Stay_Monster

READY TO PLAY CRICKET?

BREAKING BARRIERS An exclusive interview with His Highness Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Redefining sports to a whole new level!

Check out this list of basic gears

MAKING THE WIN ON ICE

Three sports combined into one, Blue Sharks hockey team aims for a winning season

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M

Y

M

Y

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FOREWORD

BAHRAIN AND SPORTS

INFLUENCING THE GCC AND THE WORLD Sports can be a powerful tool to promote the holistic growth and development of the youth. In Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, we are dedicated to providing all sorts of opportunities for our young people as far as sports is concerned.

I strongly believe that an efficient physical education programme equips people with vital qualities, such as leadership, perseverance, social and moral character, selfesteem, commitment to teamwork, and problem-solving and organisational abilities.

In today’s most challenging environment, such skill helps individuals to succeed in life, and that brings prosperity to the nation. We are always on the lookout for ways of improving facilities and practices for physical education.

One example of this is that I feel we should develop a more holistic physical education policy to be implemented right from the early school stages. Possibilities for implementing such a policy are being explored. Essential life skills are so often the outcome of an effective physical education. In fact, sports have been proven to raise IQ in addition to building confidence and teaching kids about managing emotions, such as self-control. Sports help children to learn hard work, patience, persistence, and how to respond positively to setbacks and failures. Most importantly, sports helps a child to prepare to take on the many challenges that life has to offer and emerge victorious like a champion. Sports is an important part of the culture of the Gulf countries, especially endurance horse riding and show jumping, which has an immense traditional value, although we must not forget that there are other sports and sporting events that boast a rich history for us.

I welcome PowerUp’s continued support in all areas of sports. I hope that more and more people will support local teams and sporting initiatives in their communities; educating the youth on the benefits of healthy living and a healthy lifestyle.

PowerUp is a good source of information to get you started.

HH Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa

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Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth & Sports, President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee

Health is a lifestyle and I chose it.

POWERUP |MARCH 2018

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Reader’s Feedback Editor-in-Chief

Redia Castillo

Deputy Editor

Rose Yap

Editorial Contributors

Sharon Joseph HH Shaikh Nasser Media Office HH Shaikh Khalid Media Office Bahrain Olympic Committee Team Bahrain Merida IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai Brave Combat Federation Dr. Shaikh Saqer Al Khalifa Bahrain Premier League

HR and Finance

Dushan Kanchana

Sales Manager

Kasun Garaka Chettiarachchi

Admin & Sales Coordinator

Karyl Pinto

Layout Design

Carol Almadrones

Photography

Bench Medina

Videographer

Walter Borja Arts

“PowerUp Magazine always provides information about the sporting events in Bahrain and are present at every event.

PowerUp works efficiently in bringing the latest news to its readers. I have been following this magazine for some time now and will definitely continue in the future”

- Fahad Yaqoot “I keenly follow PowerUp especially on social media as you get minute to minute updates on sporting events in and around Bahrain”

- Ali Al Majid “What I love is the fact that if I need to find out anything about health or fitness in Bahrain then I know PowerUp is where I need to look. Being able to access information on their social media or the digital issue is just incredible”

- Keerthana Muthumani “PowerUp Magazine keeps me informed of basically every event and more importantly offers a variety. I like it so much that I have one at home and in my car” -Abdulla Abdul Rahim

Abdul Salal

DESIGN YOUR LIFE The first Bahrain based sports, health and fitness magazine. Our goal is to promote the sports culture and inspire our readers in the Arabian Gulf to take charge, be fit, and stay in shape for life.

PowerUp is an influential source of useful and entertaining content dedicated to sports, health, and wellness. Addressed to an audience of health-conscious readers in the GCC region.

www.powerup-mag.com

Editor’s Note: Send us your thoughts, comments, critiques, and requests via editorial@powerup-mag.com. You can also take a picture of yourself with your PowerUp magazine and tell us of your own experience.

We will select letters and pictures to print monthly.

PowerUp Sports WLL Call us for editorial enquiries, rate cards, and event coverage.

Lines open Saturday to Thursday 8:30 to 8:00 PM Editorial +973 6670 0602

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Published by PowerUp Sports WLL. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. All Rights Reserved. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Printed by Dar Akhbar Al Khaleej Printing and Publishing House

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POWERUP | MARCH 2018

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You may also visit www.issuu.com/powerupmagazine www.powerup-mag.com

FROM THE EDITOR

PENNING IT DOWN...

It is an exciting season as we witness an explosion of sports on the Island. Bahrain has become a hamper of opportunities and endless possibilities in the sporting realm. For sports enthusiasts, here is a chance to chase the game you are passionate about as Bahrain takes sports to the next level with Bahrain’s Strongest Man, Bahrain Premier League, DHL Ice Hockey, KHK boxing and Brave.

PowerUp had an incredible one on one exclusive conversation with His Highness Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa. His Highness has been breaking barriers and empowering the Bahraini youth to imbibe the sports way of life. He shows no sign of stopping as he determines to take Bahrain to the international level with KHK sports branching out.

Bahrain Bay was filled with excited participants who competed for the first new and unique sports Bahrain’s Strongest Man Championship. The generous initiative by His Highness Shaikh Khalid saw a massive crowd of people prepared to show their skills and push their limits to show how strong they were. Bahrain takes pride as His Highness ranked third in the lightweight competition. Read more to find out who the winners were.

KHK sports launched Bahrain Premier League spreading the cricket fever among the Bahrain community. The teams include various players from the local community. The T20 format of cricket will bring together cricket enthusiasts on a large scale, and it is remarkable to see this iconic sport branching out in Bahrain. In this issue, we introduce the six resident teams playing for the Bahrain Premier League, T20 tournament.

Bahrain transformed into a green playing field as the Island celebrated Bahrain National Sports day with a plethora of exciting events. From gymnastics, colour fun run to Spartan race, people were left in awe at the sight of all major sporting games at one location. PowerUp gives you a glimpse of how the day was made spectacular.

Scoring on the Ice is not as easy as it looks. The 3rd National Ice Hockey League sponsored by DHL is currently taking place, and team captain Tamer Fakhroo has much to say about it. If you are interested in joining the team or having a liking to play the sport, then this is a must-read for you. We had introduced Bahrain Sharks in our previous editions, find out more about what the team is up to, their achievements and what is in store for 2018.

Interested in getting into bodybuilding and competing in the big leagues? IFBB professional bodybuilder William Bonac gives essential tips on health and fitness and his commitment towards bodybuilding. Also, we give you a sneak peek into this famed athlete’s one-day diary.

Get inspired as we promise you a fantastic read!

We give you this and much more as we cover everything from essential cricket gears to clubs you can join. Fans had a treat as Team Bahrain Merida organised a fun ride where fans got autographs and posed with their favourite professional cyclists.

Don’t forget to stay fit and healthy this season as there are many events lined up just for you.

Head on to our health and wellness section and get in shape.

Editor-in-Chief PowerUp Magazine

Get in touch @PowerUpMag

@PowerUpMag

facebook.com/powerupmagazine

BLAST FROM THE PAST

CONTENTS

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48

42

60

SPORTS

Yoga in Dubai’s Golden Sands

14

Breaking Barriers & Rising Above Challenges An exclusive interview with His Highness Shaikh Khalid

20

Are You Ready to Play

22

World Of Cricket

26

Mr. Cricket’s Take on the Game

28

Meet The Club

34

Bahrain Premier League Get To Know The BPL Teams It’s a Party And You’re All Invited Shaikh Saqer

36

Making the Win on Ice

38

TBM Fan Club

39

Ride On Cycling Track

40

Bahrain Strongest Man

42

Cycle Safety in Bahrain

44

Bahrain Rides with the Team

46

Abu Dhabi Cycling Tour Rise As One Bahrain National Sports Day Brave : Stepping Stone to Success

48 52

POWERUPI | MARCH 2018

IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai Honours

60

Play Smart for the Big Race Interview with Yousif Zaman

H E A LT H 63

5 Habits - Cricket

66

101 With The Conqueror Interview with William Bonac

68

Exercise Done Right

70

Nutrition Source For Your Physique

72

Feed that Inner Beast

74

Tick Away Your Oral Health

ON THE COVER

MARCH

Y E A R 201 8-IS SU E 3 3

www.powerup-mag.com

CRICKET T20 Six resident teams play the express edition of cricket right here in Bahrain.

Get to know your teams!

UAE DHS20

12

56

Qatar QR20

Calendar of Events

Oman RO2

10

Kuwait KD1.75

Sports News

KSA SR20

08

30

6

26

Bahrain BD2

MARCH 2018 ISSUE

14

FA S H I O N 77

Top Gadgets and Gears

78

What do you need to Play Cricket

80

Kickstart Your 2018 Work out

82

Top Cricket Apps

BAHRAIN’S STRONGEST MAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2018 Self-challenging championship #Stay_Monster

READY TO PLAY CRICKET?

BREAKING BARRIERS An exclusive interview with His Highness Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Redefining sports to a whole new level!

Check out this list of basic gears

MAKING THE WIN ON ICE

Three sports combined into one, Blue Sharks hockey team aims for a winning season

IRO

L AT E S T U P D AT E S

SPORTS NEWS POWERUP GIVES YOU THE LATEST SPORTING EVENT COVERAGE AND MILESTONES IN THE REGION AND WORLDWIDE. BE UP TO DATE ON YOUR FAVOURITE SPORT, VISIT OUR WEBSITE POWERUP-MAG.COM FOR MORE!

“I have failed at times, but I never stopped trying.”

RAHUL DRAVID Rahul Dravid is a former Indian cricketer and captain, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket

CHAMPION INSPIRES CHILDREN The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Special Olympics IX MENA Games 2018 and Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, in partnership with the Ministry of Community Development has announced the launch of the ‘Host Town

“We should not allow fear or anxiety to stop us from doing something. If you think through something well and prepare thoroughly, you can do a lot of things you think you can’t.”

KUMAR SANGAKKARA Kumar Sangakkara is a former Sri Lankan cricketer and captain, and is widely regarded as one of the world’s most influential cricketers.

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POWERUP | MARCH 2018

CYCLE FOR HEALTH UAE Abu Dhabi’s leading community cycling event, “Cycle for Health UAE”, took place to promote Colon Cancer Awareness Month. The monthly event, organized by Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and The Department of Health, is a great opportunity for residents to get active and live a healthy lifestyle. Visitors can borrow

Programme’ across all seven emirates of the UAE. The initiative is organised by the LOC of Special Olympics Abu Dhabi and aims to enhance ties with both private and government entities in all seven emirates to promote awareness about people of determination and encourage their inclusion into everyday society.

bikes and helmets and cycle through the iconic Zayed Sports City Stadium at the free event. The 1.9km course allowed riders to cycle through Abu Dhabi’s impressive sports stadium in a safe and controlled environment, away from the hustle and bustle of traffic.

Individual coaching and riding lessons were available for children and those who were less confident riding bikes.

EMIRATI WOMEN PROVE A STRONG PRESENCE AT AWST Emirati women’s strong presence has reflected the advanced status of women’s sports in the UAE. Emirati players secured 29 medals, including five gold, ten silver and 14 bronze. They won seven medals in Karate: one gold, three silver and three bronze; and claimed one gold medal, two silver and one bronze in the fencing competition. In archery, Emirati players won 1 gold medal, one silver and one bronze, while they claimed one gold medal and two bronze in athletics. Emirati riders bagged two silver and three bronze medals in show-jumping, while shooters secured one silver medal and three bronze. The UAE was represented by the Sharjah Sports Club for Women, which won a tally of 22 medals, while Al Wasl club bagged one gold, and the Sharjah Equestrian and racing club claimed two bronze medals.

Bani Yas Sports club won a bronze medal, while Al Ain did not win any.

L AT E S T U P D AT E S

12 GOLDS SPARTAN ARABIA A SUCCESS Sergio Brilligan raced to victory in the Spartan Beast Race while Igor Belousov and Ivana Kolaric clinched deserving victories in the Spartan Sprint races part of the 2018 Bahrain Sports Day. Athletes competed it out in this challenging event, which started from the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. In the Spartan Beast race, the highest level of competition saw more than 500 strong athletes race over 23km and faced 30-35 unpredictable terrain and obstacles to test their abilities. The second and concluding day of the 2018 Spartan Race, which featured different races, saw thousands of athletes battling it out for victory.

HEROES RETURN FOR HANDBALL TEAM Bahrain’s national handball team were given heroes return from South Korea after coming second at the 18th Asian Men’s Championship, and qualifying for the 2019 World Championship in Germany and Denmark. The Nationals put on a brave show before going down to highly-favoured Qatar 31-33 in their final match which was played in the

CHARU SHARMA PRAISES BAHRAIN’S INITIATIVES IN DEVELOPING SPORTS Veteran sports commentator Charu Sharma praised initiatives led by the Kingdom of Bahrain for the development of sports in the region.

Charu Sharma pointed out that these efforts have a long-lasting impact in the coming years for the economy and

South Korean city of Suwon on Sunday.

Bahrain Olympic Committee general secretary Abdulrahman Askar commended the overall performance of the team during the competition, especially in the title clash, and also securing their place in next year’s World Championship for the fourth consecutive time.

infrastructure of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

He was present at the venue of CocaCola Bahrain Premier League 2018 where Mohammed Shahid, CEO of KHK Sports along with Mohammed Mansoor, CEO of Exelon handed over the poster of Brave Combat Federation to the veteran sports commentator.

“Cricket is a global sport and has a rich history and tradition associated with it. Also, the community that follows the sport is massive. So by nurturing cricket, the Kingdom of Bahrain is making a huge step in the International sports scene. Also, the sport is already popular among the expatriate communities. This will also be a platform to nurture international relations, and apart from entertainment, sports sector can develop the economy and generate employment opportunities.” said Charu Sharma.

BAHRAIN ARE ARAB WOMEN CHAMPIONS The Kingdom of Bahrain has achieved an unprecedented achievement on the regional level after winning first place overall in the medal table at the Fourth Arab Women’s Sports Tournament in Sharjah. Taking home a total of 28 medals – 12 gold, seven silver and nine bronze, the Nationals topped the overall standings in this 16-nation 12-day tournament. It was the first of its kind achievement since Bahrain has taken part at the first edition tournament in 2012, as Bahrain’s women kicked started this year’s slogan “gold only”, launched by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The closing ceremony was attended by Organising Committee chairman Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasmi and Tournament Supervising and Following Committee chairwoman Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa.

At the end of the tournament, additional trophies were presented to overall tournament winners Bahrain (12 gold medals), followed by second-placers Egypt (9) and third Algeria (7).

The breakthrough trophy went to Sharjah Club, Al Ahli Jeddah of Saudi Arabia won the fair play trophy, while Algeria’s Sports Society Club took the excellence cup

YOUNG TALENT SCORES BRONZE Bahraini Rubik’s Cube champion Rashid Ahmed Al Hajri took third place and the bronze medal at the Wellspring Open 2017 in Ras Al Khaimah, in the UAE. The young player’s result was commended

by Bahrain Olympic Committee general secretary at a reception held at the committee premises in Seef. In the presence of his parents, Al Hajri was congratulated by Askar on this honourable achievement and outstanding finish, which requires high skills and mental abilities. Askar expressed his pride as Bahrain enjoys special young talents with remarkable skills and can compete on an international level with some of the world’s best Rubik’s Cube players.

POWERUP | MARCH 2018

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W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G

EVENTS CALENDAR MARCH 2018 POWERUP KEEPS YOU UPDATED ON THE LATEST SPORTING EVENTS IN THE REGION AND WORLDWIDE. PLUG INTO THE THRILLING EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND YOU AND BE ENTERTAINED! HEAD ON TO POWER-MAG.COM FOR MORE COMPREHENSIVE LISTINGS AND BOOKINGS.

03 MEYDAN HORSE MARCH

RACES

MEYDAN RACE COURSE

03

Meydan race course offers a full season of horse racing. The season includes a calendar of nine domestic racing at Meydan meetings, each carrying a purse of up to AED1m. The racing at Meydan meeting runs concurrently to the international Dubai World Cup Carnival. Exceptional dining and entertainment packages are available at every race meeting, allowing our guests to get right to the heart of the racing action.

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COMPETITION

The Dubai International Marine Club will host the region’s first ever Kite Surf Competition. One of the newest water sports, kitesurfing started out in Dubai in 2002, and is becoming more mainstream – it was recently recognised by the UAE Marine Sports Federation. The sport is on the rise and will be one of the events at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics. Don’t miss your chance to see some of Dubai’s most talented kitesurfers take to the waters of Mina Seyahi

31 10 POWERUP | MARCH 2018

24 DUBAI MODERN MARCH

SAILING RACE

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL MARINE CLUB, MINA SEYAHI On 24 March, the action of the 2018 Dubai Modern Sailing Race continues, as the event returns to the Dubai International Marine Club for its second heat. Some of Dubai’s most talented sailors will be taking to the waters of Mina Seyahi to battle it out for the chance to be named the winner. Watch as beautiful boats glide through the waves along Dubai’s coastline.

WORLD CUP 31 DUBAI MEYDAN RACECOURSE MARCH

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL MARINE CLUB, MINA SEYAHI

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MOTOR CITY

On 17 March, join a community of runners to race around the Dubai Autodrome. Runners can choose to run either 3km, 5km, or 10km at Run The Track, and each distance finishes at the chequered line in front of the Autodrome’s main grandstand. All participants will receive a medal, and those who come first, second and third in their respective age groups will receive trophies. There will be changing facilities and bag storage areas at the start and finish of the run, as well as water and refreshments available throughout the course.

10 KITE SURF MARCH

RUN THE TRACK

17 MARCH

DUBAI CHALLENGE CUP 2018 AL HABTOOR POLO RESORT & CLUB

This March, the Dubai Challenge Cup returns to Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club for the third year in a row. Part of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series, the tournament is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and will be played under the banner of the Hurlingham Polo Association. The Dubai Challenge Cup is an 18-goal tournament, making it one of the highest-handicap tournaments in the region. VIPs, celebrities, and regional influencers will be gathering to watch the matches.

It’s also a fun day out for the whole family, with music from local and international DJs, as well as entertainment off the field, including a cheerleading display and a fashion show.

The Dubai World Cup is one of the biggest events on the region’s event calendar. With USD 10 million going to the overall winner, and a staggering total pot of USD 30 million, it’s no wonder that it’s known as ‘the world’s richest horse race’.The Dubai World Cup is a starstudded affair. While it’s all eyes on the world’s best thoroughbreds on track, many glittering international and regional celebrities can be found in the exclusive premium lounges and private terraces

31 UAE WATERBIKE MARCH

SERIES (HEAT 3)

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL MARINE CLUB, MINA SEYAHI The 2018 edition of the UAE Waterbike Series, which started back in January, continues in March. The third heat of the event is set to take place on 31 March at the Dubai International Marine Club.

Spectators can look forward to watching a series of electrifying races as some of the world’s best riders – from countries including Hungary, United Kingdom, and Spain– take to the waves, with actionpacked events including Novice Runabout Stock, Pro Ski GP, and Pro Runabout GP.

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G

BAHRAIN EVENTS

02 FULL MARATHON MARCH

BRR 42.2KM

AL AREEN WILDLIFE PARK

This is one of the oldest marathon events in the region. BRR aspires to bring participants together as a community by offering a supportive, energetic and empowering environment for people pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle.

07 H.H. SH. NASSER

BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA ENDURANCE CUP MARCH

BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL ENDURANCE VILLAGE, BAHRAIN

One of the most highly anticipated annual endurance races of the year. It is organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF).

09 COLOUR ME MARCH

BAHRAIN

AMWAJ MARINA, AMWAJ ISLAND The most spectacular, most colourful event of the year. Color Me Bahrain celebrates happiness, health and individuality. Get covered in a cloud of colour from head to toe and join in the Color Festival.

Age limit 1km: 3 - 13 years of age; 5km: 14 - 120 years of age

09 BTA LEAGUE

2018 OLYMPIC TRIATHLON MARCH

PORTMARINE, DURRAT

07

Bahrain Triathlon League is an event that consists of 9 races throughout the year which are Standard Duathlon, 2 Sprint Duathlon, 2 Olympic Triathlons, 3 Sprint Triathlons, 1 Sprint Aquathlon, and six races for kids.

09

10 BRR SPRINT MARCH

TRIATHLON

SOFITEL BAHRAIN ZALLAQ, ZALLAQ The sprint distance triathlon will cover a distance of 750m Swim, 20km Cycle Ride, and a 5km Run.

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Age Limit: 15 - 120 years of age (Individual) 13 - 120 years of age (Team Members)

17 MARCH

OPEN TRACK

10

BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT

Open Track experiences offer a thrilling trackside experience for all drivers and riders alike. It is as close as it gets to the real racing thing. All cars need to be in roadworthy condition to take part, with no leaks or body damage. Your car’s suitability will be assessed by officials at the event. BIC’s all-new, thestate-of-the-art floodlighting system means that Open Track events can be held both during the day and at night.

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19 DRAG & DRIFT MARCH

NIGHT

BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT Drag and Drift, sponsored by Ebrahim K Kanoo and powered by Motor City, is open to the public.

Drivers take part in their car or motorbike, which they can push to the limits! The drag racing takes place at BIC’s quarter-mile drag strip while drifters power slide along a designated course along the BIC car park.

19 POWERUP | MARCH 2018

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FITNESS

YOGA IN DUBAI’S GOLDEN SANDS Rich blue sky stretching over golden sands is the ideal place for a powerful yoga experience.

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erenity and peace met Dubai’s concrete jungle as Dubai Sports Council initiated the art of Yoga at the Marmoom Reserve. This event was aimed at developing the desert conservation reserve into a sustainable environment, tourism and recreational destination.

As incredible as it sounds, people received the opportunity to experience this unique yoga experience in the middle of the stunning Dubai desert.

Participants had the luxury of being provided with yoga mats, headsets loaded with meditational music and inspirational audios for the restorative yogic immersion.

MARMOOM RESERVE Spanning over ten percent of

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the emirate’s total area, Marmoom Reserve is home to 26 species of reptiles, nine species of mammals and 39 species of plants. Home to 19 species of endangered animals and birds, it has the highest concentration of large flamingos in a desert region, with 300 - 500 birds.

cil plans to organise further events in the reserve including cycling, running and equestrian activities. The Council also plans to organise 20 events during the year for more than 20,000 people, key among which are the Dubai Tour and Sandstorm Obstacle Race.

The reserve also hosts 158 species of migratory birds every year in its ten square kilometre wetland. This includes one of the richest Houbara Bustard colonies in the region. You can also witness one of the largest Arabian gazelle herds in the UAE.

Various Dubai government organisations, including Dubai Municipality, Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Water and Electricity Authority, Roads and Transport Authority, Government of Dubai Media Office, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai SME and Meraas, will launch new initiatives and projects in ‘Marmoom Reserve’.

20 SPORTS FOR 2018 Yoga was the first of the 20 sporting events for the year 2018 that was held at the reserve. Dubai Sports Coun-

CYCLING ACTIVITES EVERY AFTERNOON MONDAY WEDNESDAY SATURDAY

KEY EVENTS TO CHECK OUT DUBAI TOUR 2018 SANDSTORM OBSTACLE RACE

INTERVIEW

BREAKING BARRIERS AND RISING ABOVE CHALLENGES

His Highness Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa had an exclusive one on one conversation with PowerUp. He shared his in-depth insights on empowering the Bahraini youth and changing the landscape of sports like never before.

e is a man known to participate in extreme and challenging events from swimming 42 kilometres from Saudi Arabia to Bahrain to realising his vision of having a Bahrain based MMA promotion that has garnered a lot of international attention within its first year of inception. This year he is set to initiate new and exciting sporting events. Read on to find out what Bahrain is in store for.

H

STRONGEST MAN Being the first contender for Bahrain’s Strongest Man Championship, how are you preparing for this self- challenging event? What message are you aiming to spread through this tournament?

Bahrain’s Strongest Man is one of the challenges that I introduced in Bahrain recently.

It is yet another sport that would gather a lot of youth who are training in the gyms. They put a lot of hard work, but there was a lack of a competition that would bring them together. So this is one of the competitions that I liked and followed, and it eventually made me decide to compete in Bahrain’s Strongest Man. It’s unlike me to launch a competition and not participate in it myself. To compete with others, to understand where my position is in this sport is one aspect that I love. Moreover, I am doing it for fun and nothing compared to those who want to win. It is also a way of encouraging youngsters to come out and compete together with me.

14 POWERUP | MARCH 2018

SPORTS INITIATIVES

K halid bin H amad F utsal L eague for Y outh C enters K halid bin H amad H orse C up K halid bin H amad C up for GCC S ports M edia K halid bin H amad C up for S ports M edia K halid B in H amad F alcon C hampionship K halid bin H amad F utsal C up for N ational C lubs A dopting M ixed M artial A rts and spreading its culture

KHK MMA KHK MMA has come a long way regarding its accomplishments and initiatives. Could you share with us how the journey has been so far? A preview of the years and what we can expect from 2018 onwards.

KHK had its humble beginnings with big goals set. Each time we succeeded in achieving our set goals, I would already have another goal in place. KHK is a brand that upholds my visions in sports which will bring new sports to a higher level. The year 2018 has seen KHK become a highly recognised name and, we hope to host more of such activities and sports that are relatively new and challenging in Bahrain.

In the military, we are taught to never expect from your man to do something unless you can’t do it yourself. Whatever I expect from the youth, I try to my best to do it first. This is to show people that nothing is impossible and you can do anything. if you just put your time and train for it then you can successfully compete in any sport.

KHK MMA started with foreign fighters, and it inspired one Hamza Kooheji to step out and become the best. What do you want KHK MMA to do for the youth of Bahrain?

In the beginning, I brought well-known fighters such as Khabib Nurmagomedov, Frankie Edgar, Jose “Shorty” Torres to the KHK team. These high calibre fighters train right here in Bahrain for KHK. This is to inspire young Bahrainis, young athletes and fighters to join KHK or even to train for MMA. Inspiration

INTERVIEW

“

BY CHALLENGING

OTHERS, IT GIVES ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO

“

TELL THEM THAT IF

I CAN DO IT, SO CAN THEY. THERE IS NO LIMIT IN LIFE.

POWERUP | MARCH 2018

15

INTERVIEW

HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa during th Brave Fighting Championship - Abu Dhabi

ACHIEVEMEnTS

to many, Hamza Kooheji is one such example among the hundreds of youth who are training and preparing in Bahrain to fight every day. We have fighters of many ranks ranging from young fighters, middle-aged and senior fighters. Age does not matter in this sport. We have fighters at the top level that fight in MMA, Boxing, Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu.

You name it, and we have many fighting combat sports, and in BRAVE, we have two Bahrainis, Hamza Kooheji and Hussain Ayyad who recently signed in.

We have more fighters coming in and that is what I like about Bahrainis. The moment they are inspired they not only compete in that particular sport but they aim and achieve the top level.

I am honoured to have two Bahraini fighters in BRAVE, and I am sure they will reach a certain level where they will fight for the title championship

BRAVE PROMOTION What do you envision in the future when it comes to BRAVE? Are there any milestones towards which you are working?

BRAVE is the largest MMA promotion in Bahrain which was merely a dream. But eventually, when I started it, this dream became a reality and now my goal is to be the best in the world. It is not only about having Bahrain promoted

SWIM CHALLENGE From Saudi Arabia to Bahrain 42 KM / 21 HOURS

16 POWERUP | MARCH 2018

amongst several countries but moreover how to become the best in the world. In the first year itself, BRAVE is on the top five promotions in the world. If this was achieved in the initial year, then I am sure within the next three years we will reach the top.

KHK SPORTS It’s incredible how KHK is expanding its boundaries to include different sports.

Could you tell us more about it and your passionate sporting areas?

We will have different kinds of sports around KHK Sports. One main sport apart from fighting

TRIATHLON 1st Rank

IRONMAN Championship New York

is cricket that we have recently launched. Many Indian and Pakistani expatriates in Bahrain play this game everywhere, and it is good to host a sport that they like. This is to encourage them to continue their traditional sport that they started in Bahrain, and we saw how successful the cricket match was. The players and teams as a whole were perfect, and the game was terrific. So it is not just about the sport of fighting alone but rather inculcating sports that people like which I will provide for them. Also, I have set goals of introducing new games in new levels not just in Bahrain but the region.

KHK MMA

Won Bronze medal

1st International European Open Championship Launched 2015

INTERVIEW

BREAKING BARRIERS You are widely known as the man breaking barriers, notably the swimming challenge where you swam 42 km from Saudi Arabia to Bahrain for charity.

The waves were against you and you faced hard weather conditions as well and yet successfully completed the swim in 21 hours. Now we see renowned athletes taking up the Khalid Bin Hamad Swim Challenge making a positive impact. What motivated you to step out from your comfort zone and swim for a cause?

I like challenges and dislike sitting in my chair doing nothing and let things get done for me.

Being hands-on and challenging myself to test my limits is what I like. By challenging others, it gives me an opportunity to tell them that if I can do it, so can they. There is no limit in life. The swimming challenge for me was a normal swim in the pool.

I always swim for 5 kilometers in the pool. I thought to myself why not swim for charity like the English channel swim for the United Kingdom to France.

Since it is the same distance from Saudi Arabia to Bahrain, I decided to do it here but then doing challenges without a cause does not seem useful.

The moment you add a cause to a challenge, it adds hype and motivates you all the more. This was a challenging event for me but will not be the last as there

will be more to come within the next two years. Challenge is the best part for me, challenge your mind, body rather than sitting on the couch and do nothing.

CHARITABLE CAUSES Behind every challenge, there is a cause. Why are you passionate about it and why do you want to support all of them?

Someone needs to step up, help and be charitable. For me, it is ideal to support a cause.

I am not forced to do it, but I have a mind willing to help.

Cancer patients go through so much and by us doing these challenges, we share their experience though it is not even slightly close to what they undergo. But this would be one small way of helping organisations that support them.

Bahrain made history by becoming the first Asian and Arab country to host IMMAF World Championships of Amateur MMA. IMMAF is returning to Bahrain this year.

As exciting as it is, could you tell us more about the event, the preparation and what to expect in the coming months?

I like amateur fights as it builds champions. We had two Bahraini champions last time and two bronze medalists.

Hopefully this year we will see more Bahrainis competing in the weightlifting category. Last

BRAVE Combat Federation 1st edition Launched in 2016

AWARDS FIFTH HONORARY GOLDEN MEDAL IN WRESTLING The International Wrestling Federation previously granted this medal to the presidents of four countries namely, Russia; Azerbaijan; Kazakhstan; and Hungary. Consequently, His Highness has joined the list of the International Federation for the persons with most contribution and effectiveness to develop and improve the sport of self-defense and mixed martial arts, 26 January 2016

AFRICAN AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP Category of (the most creative sporting event) including some categories in the cultural, science, sports and economic fields.

This award has been declared by the Social Organization for Global Companies – with its headquarters in India, 10 December 2014. The award was received in the State of Africa, Mauritius

International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Bahrain is the 1st country to host outside USA, 2017

year we were the second most competitive country following Sweden, and this year we hope to be the top team that competes in 2018. We have good team members who are ready to challenge themselves and compete hard for the podium. I can’t wait for the competition to begin to see what will happen.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE Bahrain is seen setting up several initiatives to encourage and support Bahraini youth and sports movement. What is your view on sports as the right tool for youngsters to step into a healthy life or the way of life?

Sports should be a lifestyle.

Once you are in school, you ought to be active. Sitting on the couch and watching tv, playing PlayStation, on the computer or merely sitting in the office will not improve your health. If you do not go out, then at least 20 - 30 minutes of sports in a day will change your life. Doing different kinds of sports be it boxing, horse riding, cycling, running, swimming, you have many options. Some people complain of boredom; my answer is if you are bored with one game then try the other.

There are a variety of choices to stay active. Do not be lazy but instead push yourself, stand up and, go for jogging for 20 minutes. Training is a

Bahrain’s Strongest Man Championship Light Weight Competition, 3rd Rank Launched in 2018

POWERUP | MARCH 2018

17

INTERVIEW

different experience. When people sweat, I say it is their weakness coming out. So try to go to the gym and go outdoors every day. Enjoy and have fun with it. Staying indoors chit-chatting or not doing anything affects you.

Sports will provide you with a healthy lifestyle, keep you fit and will enable you to set goals, challenges and work towards it. I hope youngsters can participate in some sport every day which would, in turn, be very good for them.

Photo left : HH Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa with his brother HH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa during their triathlon training in New York .

Below: HH Sheikh Khalid congratulate

by His Magesty Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa after succesfully completed the swimming challenge in 21 hours.

UPHOLDING VALUES

I have nothing to prove to myself but maintain my lifestyle. What I do is my lifestyle, and some people see it as extreme, or undoable or something impossible.

As for me, I go to work in the morning as I have a daily job as a military officer. After returning from work, I have my lunch, rest and then head for training. So I train from the afternoon until night. This is my daily routine, and I do not see anything wrong or hard in it. I have gotten used to it that it is in my system, my routine and it is my lifestyle. So people who observe my routine claim it is impossible but my response to them is to try it for a month, and you’ll find yourself doing it. If at all I am trying to prove anything to myself, it would be to test my limits. Fortunately I still have not found it so I will keep going. One day it will come, but until then I will keep searching for challenges, keep pushing my limits and trying different sports. As I introduce new sports, I will be the first person to compete in it so either win or just compete and make it happen.

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DETERMINATION

“

It is natural to feel exhausted and tired during the race as you exert a lot of energy. How do you stay determined during the entire race and cross the finish line?

During IRONMAN and horse endurance, some places you question yourself asking if you can continue with the race and finish. You find out that your muscles, bones and back is aching, and you’re exhausted.

You are sweating, dehydrated and weak but then you have another soul that comes out which is your mindset. The mental game is an incredible element. When you have a

“

Being a man of many accolades due to your hard work, commitment and dedication, what goals have you set for yourself? What would you want to prove to yourself and for those following you?

EVERYTHING IS DOABLE AND NOTHING IS HARD

strong mind, it helps you continue whenever you feel like stopping. Then you find out that you have different muscles, soul, back working which does not ache anymore. When you feel like stopping and say you’re tired, know that it’s your mind telling you that. But if you are strong-minded then it pushes you to achieve the impossible

and continue as long as you can.

RELATIONSHIP GOALS You are also the father of two beautiful boys. What is your relationship with them and how involved are they in your day to day schedule?

My boys are my friends and love what I love. They are now jiu-jitsu fighters, and just recently they received their grey belt. So hopefully you will see my sons competing with me side by side in this kind of sport and challenge. I am sure they have the same mindset that I do. They see me train every day and they will love it.

CRICKET

ARE YOU READY TO PLAY? Are you a cricket enthusiast or an amateur who wants to go out on the field? Wondering where to go or how to take the first step?

From friendly matches to tournaments these clubs will help you get started!

BAHRAIN INDIANS CRICKET CLUB This club has been playing and enjoying cricket on the island for the past ten years. Bahrain Indians Cricket Club was founded in 2008 by a group of enthusiastic cricket lovers in Bahrain.

They are a well-organised club with good spirited people. From 2009 to date, BICC played highly successful seasons in the Bahrain Cricket League, Currently, they are on a seven-game winning streak and have topped in division C, A pool points table. So if you are interested, here is a chance for you to join.

For more information Contact: Naveen Jackson Tel: +973 35692328

BAHRAIN CRICKET CLUB Bahrain Cricket Club which in years has turned out to be one of the best clubs on the Island and is under the Bahrain Cricket Centre. Founded by Mohamed Sadeq, he was one of the major contributors to the game. The Sadeq family has taken the game to a new level with the BCC achieving success in all the tournaments they played. BCC finished most of the seasons in style, sweeping the league and cup titles with an unbeaten record. Mr Yaser Sadeq took over the captaincy and is the only winning captain who won Bahrain its only trophy in the ACC Gulf Cup 2006 in Kuwait defeating Afghanistan in the finals. Need to say more? If you are a hardcore cricket player, then this is the club for you.

For more information: Contact: Fahad Sadeq Tel: +973 3945 8045

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CRICKET

YOUTH CRICKET ACADEMY

NOOR SPORTS ACADEMY BAHRAIN

F

or the past 15 years, the Youth Cricket Academy - Noor Sports Academy Bahrain has been successfully giving extensive coaching and cricket training sessions. The academy organises regular cricket matches and tournaments so that players get in touch with match practice.

APL CRICKET CLUB Launched in 2009, this club has a group of enthusiastic and hardcore cricketers from Kerala who are on top of their game.

Led by captain Shafeeque A. C. , the club takes part in several friendly matches as well as competes in tournaments held in the Island. Playing on the field every Friday morning, the club is also set to host their own Karbon Cup 2018 Tournament this March. If you share the same passion then here is a club for you.

For more information: Contact: Shafeeque A.C Tel: +973 36142010

SRILANKAN CRICKET CLUB Cricket is the game of a lifetime for these bunch of hardcore cricketers.

Formed in 1979, the team is under the Srilankan club and has won medals in various tournaments hosted by the Bahrain Cricket League. In the current season, the club has two teams competing in the Bahrain cricket league. If you have a passion towards cricket, then join this evergrowing club.

They also aim to give children from the ages of 5 - 17 the opportunity for participation, enjoyment and skill development.

The academy organises international tours in UAE, UK, India and Malaysia.

Even during summer camps, young aspiring cricketers get trained from the best international coaches.

With Australian qualified level one coach, the academy also gives overall coaching sessions to the trainee’s so that they can develop every aspect of their game.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Noor Ebrahim Tel: +973 66364111

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CRICKET ENDURANCE AND STAMINA BALANCE AND COORDINATION PHYSICAL FITNESS IMPROVING HAND-EYE COORDINATION

For more information: Contact: Suren Motha Tel: +973 39300975

KERALA XI CRICKET CLUB Being in the country for over 14 years now, the Kerala XI cricket club has many accolades to their name. The club encourages players to actively take up the sport of cricket as they host matches every Friday and Saturday as per the league schedule. From training sessions twice a week to net practice sessions, the club enable each player to identify their strengths and what they are best at. So if you are in Island, here is a cub that you can plug into to get your game going.

For more information Contact: Suraj Rajendran Tel: +973 33040690 Email: rssurajnov15@gmail.com

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CRICKET

PHOTO BY SAFI KHAN

THE GENTLEMEN’S GAME Whether you are looking to play in the backyard with a mate, join a cricket club or play for a team, here are a couple of things you need to know. We help you understand and enjoy one of the most popular sports in the world. Welcome to the world of cricket folks!

BY: DUSHAN KANCHANA

E

ver popular, the game of cricket has hundreds of fans attending to watch their local and national teams compete on the field. The craze is ever growing as we now witness Bahrain levelling the field for this iconic sport that dates back in history. In a nutshell, Cricket is a game played with a bat and ball on a large field, known as a ground, between two teams of 11 players each.

The captain that wins the toss

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determines whether his team will bat first. The object of the game is to score runs when at bat and to put out or dismiss, the opposing batsmen when in the field.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN? Known as the gentleman’s game since time can tell, it was born in England. Cricket is undoubtedly the fastest growing sport around the globe. It is safe to say that this

bat and ball game has not just survived but has thrived breaking boundaries. The International Cricket Council (ICC) promotes different versions of the game that issuited to the audience. Each player has a unique challenge in every facet of the game. The newest addition to the game is T20 cricket or better “the express edition” of game.

FORMATS OF THE GAME

Don’t have much time but want to come in and see the match from start to finish?

Are you a diehard cricket fan and love to watch a nail-biting match? Are you a non-cricket person but would love to understand and get introduced to the game? Well, cricket has got different versions that you will enjoy!

Cricket has three different formats at the very highest level. The most popular version of the international cricket is the Test Cricket.

CRICKET

5 DAYS 90 overs per day Each Team bats twice

TEST CRICKET Being the most recognised version of cricket, this is the place where cricketers skills are put to the test. A lot is expected from the players and the coach both physically and technically. Test cricket is a five-day match with two teams of 11 players. It is a four-innings match where both teams get to bat and ball. The status of test-playing nation is conferred upon a country by the International Cricket Council.

Longest Match

BATSMAN He hits the ball with his bat to score runs or prevent the loss of a wicket. All eyes are on the batsman. Each batsman has a special place in the team.

BOWLER ONE DAY CRICKET

50 Overs 6 balls per over 1 Day Match

Widely viewed around the world, this version of cricket is on the exciting end of the game. This limited overs cricket match is a one-day game of one innings per team, played on a single day. Each innings is restricted to a maximum number of overs. The ICC Cricket World Cup is the international championship of One Day International (ODI) cricket played ones every four years and is the flagship event. The ICC Cricket World Cup trophy is the most recognised trophy. One day matches can be played during the day or night.

TWENTY20 (T20) CRICKET

20 Overs 6 balls per over fastest Match

KEY PL AYERS

This new style of playing the game has taken the cricketing world by storm. It is fast, furious and instant and that is what makes the game all the more interesting. The quick-paced format has gathered a new set of a younger crowd for the sport. T20 has changed the dynamics of cricket, the way it is played especially batting. In Twenty20 cricket, each team is allowed one innings to try and score as many runs as they can within a period of 20 overs (120 balls). ICC introduced T20 with the aim to boost interest in cricket across the globe. Countries playing in test cricket matched have their T20 leagues. For those who are not quite familiar with the game, here is a lighter format of cricket.

Umpires Hand Signal

He propels the ball against the wicket defended by the batsman and tries to get the batsman “out” (dismissed from the ground). Bowling is divided into three main categories called fast bowling, spin bowling and mediumpace/swing bowling.

FIELDER Players who assist the bowler in achieving his goal, and prevent the batsmen from scoring runs. Fielding positions have different names and most of the teams have specialised players for those positions.

ALL-ROUNDER A cricketer who regularly performs well at both batting and bowling. Although all bowlers must bat and quite a few batsmen do bowl occasionally. A “genuine allrounder” is someone whose batting or bowling skills, considered alone, would be good enough to win him a place in the team

WICKET KEEPER He stands behind the wicket or stumps being watchful of the batsman and be ready to take a catch, stump the batsman out and run out a batsman when occasion arises. The wicketkeeper is the only member of the fielding side permitted to wear gloves and external leg guards

OUT

BOUNDARY 4

BOUNDARY 6

WIDE

NO BALL

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CRICKET

TYPES OF BALLS!

WHAT IS A POPPING CREASE? A line four feet chalked in front of and parallel to the line of the stumps, within which the batsman must keep the bat or one foot grounded to avoid the risk of being stumped or run out.

UMPIRES The on-field umpire is the person who has the authority to make decisions about the game on the field. There are two umpires officiating every match.

One umpire stands behind the stumps at the bowler’s end of the pitch while the other stands at square leg. Sometimes during the match, the on-field umpire may refer to the third umpire who has access to the television replays. The fourth will be the Reserve Umpire who will be required to have all the equipment and prepared to officiate on-field in an unlikely situation.

SCORING This involves two elements: the number of runs scored and the number of wickets lost by each team.

WAYS YOUR

OUT !

White cricket balls are used for limited over matches or one day international or day night cricket matches.

Red colour leather cricket balls are normally used in international test matches. They offer better shine and swing to fast bowlers.

Nowadays, Pink colour balls are used in test matches as trial. First pink colour ball was used in test match between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval in November 2015.

BowleD Caught Hit the ball twice Hit wicket Leg before wicket (lbw) Obstructing the field Run out Stumped Timed Out

INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL (ICC) The ICC is the global governing body for cricket. Representing 105 members, the ICC governs and administrates the game and works with members to grow the sport. The ICC is also responsible for the staging of all ICC Events.

Full members and associate members are the governing bodies for cricket of a country recognised by the ICC for cricket purposes. Only full members are qualified to play official Test matches.

AT THE ICC ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 IN LONDON, AFGHANISTAN AND IRELAND WERE ACCEPTED AS FULL MEMBERS COUNTRY

TEAMS

GOVERNING BODY

MEMBER SINCE

AUSTRALIA

Men • Women • U19

CRICKET AUSTRALIA

15 July 1909

BANGLADESH

Men • Women • U19

BANGLADESH CRICKET BOARD

26 June 2000

ENGLAND

Men • Women • U19

ENGLAND AND WALES CRICKET BOARD

15 July 1909

INDIA

Men • Women • U19

BOARD OF CONTROL FOR CRICKET IN INDIA

31 May 1926

NEW ZEALAND

Men • Women • U19

NEW ZEALAND CRICKET

31 May 1926

PAKISTAN

Men • Women • U19

PAKISTAN CRICKET BOARD

28 July 1952

6 RUNS - hits a ball over the boundary in the air.

SOUTH AFRICA

Men • Women • U19

CRICKET SOUTH AFRICA

15 July 1909

SRI LANKA

Men • Women • U19

SRI LANKA CRICKET

21 July 1981

4 RUNS - hits a ball into the field’s boundary on the ground.

WEST INDIES

Men • Women • U19

WEST INDIES CRICKET BOARD

31 May 1926

ZIMBABWE

Men • Women • U19

ZIMBABWE CRICKET

6 July 1992

To score a run, a batsman must hit the ball and run to the opposite end of the pitch, while his non-bating partnerruns to his end. Both runners must touch the ground behind the popping crease with either his bat or his body to register arun.

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AHMADI FLAYER.pdf

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11/13/16

10:47 AM

INTERVIEW

MR CRICKET’S TAKE ON THE GAME

Cricket is a game that demands passion, hard work and the ready to play attitude, and that drives the Cricket Bahrain Association President Saleem Elias.

With high hopes of taking cricket to the next level, he shares defining moments in the past and plans on changing the face of cricket.

to build an office space, a cricket academy, parking and at the same time create various facilities for our cricket players. Making a turf wicket is also our top priority so that our players can practice. In the past, we have had training sessions at the Al Najma club which is now on hold for future developments. At the moment we are using different academy spaces for the same.

I plan to bring an international coach similar to that of Oman’s National Cricket Coach Duleep Mendis. We hope to bring a coach who is of international ranks who not only gives importance to training but also looks into developing the country through this sport as well. This is our plan for the next stage under Cricket Bahrain Association.

PHOTO BY SAFI KHAN

C

ricket is given high regard as a sport, and I must say has the stature to that of Formula 1. This strategic game has audiences in thousands across the world and even in the GCC. It is time for Bahrain to take up this sport in a big way as it not only helps to promote a healthy lifestyle but will also boost our economy.

CRICKET IN THE COMMUNITY Cricket is widely recognised all over the world and has become the second popular sport. It is high time that we spread awareness about this iconic game in Bahrain. Our local community needs to know how incredible this particular sport is and it comes as part of the five-year plan of the Cricket Bahrain Association.

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We hope with the proper infrastructure in terms of a cricket stadium with full-fledged facilities in place; we will be able to bring international players taking the sport to a large scale level.

FUTURE PLANS The future in terms of cricket is highly depended on the infrastructure and facilities required. As of now, we hope to start with accomplishing the grass root necessities such as localising the game.

At the moment we are continuing with the various school level cricket matches for ages 12, 14, 16, and 19. Through these school tournaments, we discover good talented players with great potential.

Facilities are key requirements, and at the top of our list. We hope to acquire land

STRENGTHENING DOMESTIC CRICKET With Bahrain Premier League in place, it will help domestic cricket to be strengthened. This will also help us to identify potential players who can be a part of the Bahrain National Cricket Team.

The sport is growing, and I hope that it will become all the more popular in the coming years. I believe that more games lead to more practice and a better game.

CHALLENGES We have some of the best players who train hard. They were chosen with a proper selection procedure in place, but unfortunately, we face the challenge of having no ground to practice on. When our team goes to tournaments outside the country, one challenge they face is the fact that they have not practised on the turf wicket as we do not have it in Bahrain.

Especially when there is rain, bowling becomes all the more different. Despite

INTERVIEW

NEW INITIATIVE This year we decided and combined Bahrain Cricket League and Bahrain Cricket Association under the umbrella Cricket Bahrain Association. We had over 98 teams registered under the league and categorised as divisions A, B, C and D. The league of more than 1500 plus players have matches every Friday. This year is the first time we had tournaments in Division A itself to filter the top level all the more.

Competing against divisions helps to improve and better the game strengthening domestic cricket in the country.

BAHRAIN COMMUNITY Cricket is a sport that is not often played

by Bahrainis. The general notion that exists amongst the Bahrain community is that cricket is a sport that is played by Indians or other nationalities alone. To correct that idea, cricket is an iconic sport that many

major countries around the globe have invested in. The United Kingdom, Australia, India, South Africa, Ireland, Pakistan and many others have a national cricket team.

The best part about the Bahrain community is that any sport they set their minds to, they excel. I am sure that once they understand this sport, they would be able to embrace it and be contributors in taking Bahrain to the International cricket front. We see a major development in Gulf countries that have built cricket stadiums and state of the art facilities such as Sharjah, Dubai, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and it is our vision to see Bahrain one amongst them. As the game grows so will Bahrain, both regarding commercial and economic aspects.

For Bahrainis now, we are working towards educating youngsters from the grass root level that starts from school levels of cricket. It is our priority to now start a cricket team that consists of only young Bahrainis so that we can mould them at a tender age. It is important for localisation of this sport for its development within the country as well.

“

WINNING MOMENT One of the notable wins I must say was how our national team scored over Qatar last year. We scored a 52-run victory over Qatar in the World Cricket League Asia Qualifiers in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The team took a challenging 233 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their 50 overs, thanks mainly to a 127-run partnership for the sixth wicket between GSPR Arachchige and Tahir Dar.

Season 2017

IT IS TIME FOR BAHRAIN TO

Bahrain 233/7

TAKE UP THIS

Qatar 181 (38.4/50 ov)

SPORT IN A BIG

Bahrain won by 52 runs

WAY AS IT NOT ONLY HELPS TO PROMOTE

Player of the Match

A HEALTHY

Tahir Dar

“

the lack of these necessities, our team still strives to do the best with what they are provided with.

LIFESTYLE BUT

Bahrain

WILL ALSO

BOOST OUR ECONOMY.

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CRICKET

MEET THE

CLUB

This edition, we introduce you to a cricket sports club that has grabbed our attention.

Meet the Kerala XI Cricket Club that’s been breaking records with their winning streak.

F

or expats in the country that dream of playing cricket, Kerala XI cricket club has been the go-to place. Launched in 2004, the club wanted cricket players to hold on to their passion of playing cricket that they had in their home country. This professional club provided an opportunity for those dreams to become a reality by helping cricketers to be part of the team. The club is registered under Bahrain Cricket League and plays in the Division-C.

INTRODUCTION With its small beginnings, the club started off as a junior cricket club and eventually grew into a professional one.

Passionate about the sport, the club founded by Firoz, Soji and Rajesh, always makes sure that the team is equipped with the necessary skills and gears helping them to perform to the best of their abilities.

“Having been in the club for over ten years now, I am proud to be the captain of this team.

The bond that each player shares is very important, and that is what exists in the Kerala XI cricket club. With ample cricket tournaments and social events, it’s about playing the sport you’re passionate about and having fun at the same time” says team captain Justin Anthony.

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“I personally believe passion drives achievement. Only if you have a passion for the club and the game, will you succeed as a team. Therefore, I want every team member to put the club first; team second and the player as the third priority every time they play. Be it a friendly match, a tournament or in a league” he said.

TOURNAMENTS In the on-going season of the Bahrain Cricket League tournament they have qualified to play for the quarterfinal stage of the T20 tournament and continue in the top three spots in the T25 league matches.

During these 14 years, they have moulded exceptional players who have made several records on the field. One being Vinod having a unique record of taking five wickets thrice in a single season and has been the leading wicket-taker for T20 season.

“We organise training and practice session for our players twice every week along with net practice session as well. We have observed that the coaching group really encouraged many of our players to be it those who were with us in the past, those who continue with us and players who have recently joined the club” says head coach Vinod Enose.

TRAINING

Firoz Sait Founder

2004

Launched

Vinod Enose Head Coach

Justin Anthony Captain

Ratheesh Raveendran Pillai Vice Captain

Ti m i ng s Friday morning or afternoon as per league schedule

The aim of the preseason training will be for the coaching group to help players identify their strengths and weaknesses.

We aim to boost those strengths and work in areas that require improvement. Our coaching team is extremely keen to help everyone develop their games and to motivate them to perform the best in league matches” he said.

After a hard long day at work, these cricketers head to the field to relax and to unwind.

Cricket gives your body the boost that it needs. So if you have the passion for the game and would like to get into the sport then join the Kerala XI cricket club!

Hospitality partner

Media partner

Health & Fitness partner

Supported by

CRICKET

IT’S T20 CRICKET FOLKS! Excitement filled the air, as the New Year brought the second most popular sport in the world to the Island. Yes, that’s right!

Cricket fans embraced the launch of Bahrain Premier League.

The T20 format of cricket opened doors of possibilities to the community to play their passion on the field. Six teams of 13 players were chosen and here’s all you need to know about it!

W

ith the purpose to advance the sport of cricket in Bahrain, the T20 format of cricket was hosted in an exciting league with the best of Bahrain’s players. The Bahrain Premier League is a franchise based T20 Cricket Tournament held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Organised by KHK Sports and Exelon, the event will provide an exciting new platform for Bahrain’s cricket and expand the cricketing footprint across the Gulf. The league comprises of six teams of 13 resident cricketers competing in the T20 format of cricket.

GOAL Passion being the driving force for the sport of cricket, the league intends to set new standards of excellence for competitive cricket in Bahrain. The league promises to inspire the youth in the region to take up the sport by creating awareness. It is also the platform that aspires to give local cricketing talent the bearings they require to position them for success.

GROWTH The Kingdom of Bahrain has a large cricket- loving expatriate community. Cricket happens to be a game that connects multiple nationalities and cultivates a culture of team spirit. From an economic standpoint, the growth of cricket promises to bring global investments and international media attention.

Any sport, cricket included, serves to nurture the holistic development of the youth as well as to cultivate a healthy lifestyle in the nation. As a socially conscious organisation, this is a way to give back to the society in a way that has a

30 POWERUP | MARCH 2018

sustainable impact.

Bahrain has been ranked as the top destination for expatriates due to the welcoming and friendly community, incredible work environment and ideal place to raise a family. Now Bahrain has expanded the sporting field allowing expats to feel all the more at home with cricket given an opportunity.

CRICKET FANS Fans of cricket across Bahrain have come forward and shown their support wholeheartedly by attending the games that are held every Friday and cheering their favourite team. Apart from the games, the fans also attended the teams’ meet and greet events that happened at several popular spots.

SELECTION PROCESS The screening process for selection of players had a few crucial steps. The player had to be a resident of Bahrain and listed with the Bahrain Cricket Association (BCA). The 200 players listed with the BCA were classified in grades of A, B and C. An exciting auction event was held, and the six owners bought players at a price. This format is similar to the Indian Premier League auction format in India.

M O HAMMED S HA HID KHK SPORTS CEO

MOHAMMAD MANSOOR BPL PRESIDENT

CRICKET

TEAM MEMBERS FI A Z A H M E D M UH A M M A D A SH R A F M U G H A L YA S S ER N A Z IR I M RA N M A SO O D B U T T K H URRA M SH A H Z A D M A J I D RAZ A Q K H A N A Q I B A L I M OH AM M E D SH A B H A N G A M I NI S UD A R SH A N A PE R E R A J OS H EP I M ESH F IN K IN SO Z A H A S S A N J AVA ID M UH A M M A D SA J ID K H A N A S I M M A SH O O D M UJ TA BA N A Z IR

AWAN WARRIORS HEAD COACH A S G H A R BAJWA Captain Q AM AR SAEED

TEAM MEMBERS

KAALAM KNIGHT RIDERS HEAD COACH S H E H Z AD A K H T AR Captain AZEEM ULHAQ

M OH A M M ED S A M EER FA I YA Z A FZA L VA S A NTH K UND ER A S I F S I D D I Q UE M UH A M M A D M UH A M M A D I Q B A L NOOR M OH A M M A D S A FD A R AWA D K H A N M UH A M M A D WA Q A S TA H I R

ZEES H A N M A LIK J A NAR D H A N G URU PR A SA D I RFA N SH A IK H SHAHID MEHMOOD I M RAN B U T T S H EH BA Z B U T T

POWERUP | MARCH 2018

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CRICKET

TEAM MEMBERS

BAHRAIN SUPER GIANTS HEAD COACH D E E P A K N AIR

G A UTH A M CH ERUVA L A ND A RAVI ND RA NA RES H B A L A K A A M EER S UH A I L M EERA S A B RA J ES H P RA K A S H FERNA ND ES SYA M RA J RA J A N A L I NA S I R NA S I R H YA T

TEAM MEMBERS AZ HAR ABBAS ALI S AMEER AWAN MO HAMMED AFZAL DE NVE R SHON E ASKER T HILINA A S IR I EMBULDENIYA HAMMAD SHAKEEL S A ME E R ABBAS MINHAS RA NA KASHIF MUR TAZA ZE E S HAN ABBAS AME E R SALAHUDEEN NAVE E D ULLAH HAKEEM U ME R IM TIAZ TOOR U MRAN GHANI JANA K A CHATHUR ANGA

BILAL MANSOOR

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FOUR SQUARE CHALLENGERS HEAD COACH SHAI L ESH KU MAR CAPTAIN O M R AN GHAN I

S I K D A R A L M OS T A SIM B ILLA H VEERA P A TH I RA N SA T H A IYA M A M M A D U D D IN M UH A M M A D Z U B A IR J OBY A B R A H A M K A RA N M A NO J G U PT E M OH A M M A D SA Q IB S A RFA RAZ A LI

CRICKET

TEAM MEMBERS M OH A M M E D IM R A N S A M EER YOU SA F M O H A M M E D NA EE M A B B A S S A CH I N P HILIP A N D R E W S M I RZA R IZ WA N B A IG M OH D A D IL H A N IF M UH A M M A D Q A SIM Z IA RA S H I D H U SSA IN J A M A L M OHA M M A D YO U SIF YOUS I F WA LI U R R E H M A N

INTEX LIONS HEAD COACH CH A R LES FO R WAR D CAPTAIN M OH AM M ED T AHI R DAR

J A G A N VIJ AYA K U M A R RA M EEZ A H M E D M A LIK M UH A M M A D R A F IQ U E UB A I D M U R T A Z A

ADNAN BUTT ATIF HUSSAIN SHAH

TEAM MEMBERS BABAR ALI AJAY KUMAR CHETTUVETTY PR ASHANT KURUP MO HAMMED R IZWAN ANA S IM KHAN JAHAN ZEB FAISAL N AZEER AHMED ZEESHAN R AZA WASIF IQ BAL RIZWAN JAVED AN WER MU B AS HER SHAHZAD ZAHOOR MO HAMMAD R IZWAN ALI MO HAMMED THAIR DAR IMR AN AN WAR JUN AID AZIZ

BILAL MANSOOR

SRAM & MRAM FALCONS HEAD COACH MAT T T O P L I SS CAPTAIN AT I F HU SSAI N SHAH

POWERUP | MARCH 2018

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SPORTS & BEYOND

ITS A PARTY AND YOU’RE ALL INVITED!

DR. SAQER AL KHALIFA

President, Bahrain Triathlon Association and Assistant Undersecretary for Youth Authorities and Centres of Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs

Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone was invited to all parties? Do you know what I will do if this happens? I would be so selective, and just go to the ones that I find myself comfortable in. That’s what I am beginning to see in the different sporting events open for the public to participate.

O

f course, I love triathlons, and we worked hard to get International events to Bahrain as well as a league and various other local triathlons. However, it remains a niche sport, and there are many other athletes in Bahrain!

Believe me, it may sound simple, but once you start counting you will understand how many disciplines in Bahrain lack proper events such as the IRONMAN for Triathlon. For example, I recently became Ice Hockey Club’s honorary president, and the first thing many of my friends told me is “We have Ice Hockey in Bahrain?”

Well, yes we do, and we also have squash and cricket and beach volleyball and others.

But rest assured, what I am noticing is that things are going the right way, especially when we have two individuals that every country in the region wish

34 POWERUP | MARCH 2018

they have someone like them.

His Highness Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and his brother His Highness Shaikh Khalid have both been the driving force behind providing sportsmen and women with the much-needed spotlight.

His Highness Shaikh Nasser once told me that his aim is to have a sport event, whatever it may be but open to public participation, every weekend.

This sure is something we are almost noticing nowadays.

Recently, we have had Bahrain’s Strongest Man Championship. A locally made up brand that competes with international ones, even the World’s Strongest Man appeared as a guest of honour.

This event, driven by His Highness Shaikh Khalid filled one of the most significant voids in Bahrain’s sports sector.

As you may have noticed, the movement towards opening various gyms around the island

has been growing fast. In Saar only, gyms there are probably competing with the number of Starbucks coffee shops around the world! Men and women started to join, and when I walk around in City Center Mall, I can see those bodies being shaped, while shirts are getting tighter!

But the exponential increase in gym memberships was not met with an event that brought all of these newly polished strong bodies to one place, until recently. The Strongest Man championship gave all those men a purpose, they no longer only go to the gym for the sake of going to the gym, or probably just purchasing a

smaller size shirt. They now get to show us all, live, that these muscles can work. They can pull a bus, lift a car, flip some wheels, and get a medal the size of a famous rapper’s neck chain!

I went to this event and loved every moment of it. I saw true veins and heard bear-like screams. I got motivated to go back to the gym and lift weights again, for a moment. I salute His Highness Shaikh Khalid for this and can see clearly that the future for all sports, not only lifting weights, is truly bright! By then, we will all party together.

SPORTS

MAKING THE WIN

ON ICE! If you thought Ice hockey was all about a group of people chasing a puck on the ice, then think again.

Ever wondered how it would be if three sports were combined into one? The pace, the intensity and the touchdown dance are sure to get you reaching for a hockey stick and a puck.

B

ahraini Tamer Fakhroo has always been fascinated by ice hockey since his childhood and liked the way the players looked in their gear. He started playing hockey in 1993 in Funland centre, joined few hockey summer camps in Germany, and that’s how he developed his game. According to him in ice hockey you play three sports football, ice skating and boxing sometimes.

What motivated you to start Bahrain Sharks Ice Hockey Team?

Bahrain sharks are the second successful ice hockey team from Bahrain after the Bahrain

36 POWERUP | MARCH 2018

buds team between 19922000). It was formed by the godfather of ice hockey Mr Andre Cote who brought ice hockey to Bahrain. I was motivated to bring back Bahrain ice hockey to the picture because we have always been considered as one of the best teams in the region (Armature level). The other side of the story is the cultural exchange between Bahraini players and non-Bahraini hockey players because Bahrain Sharks is always a mixture of local and non-local players.

Building the team was not the most difficult part, but it was maintaining the success and team character. Team management and resolving issues are more hectic than the hockey game itself! Our 2018 calendar will have DHL Ice Hockey League after which the Dubai tournament in April, Bahrain tournament in May, and the Bangkok tournament in October.

What do you envision in the future when it comes to the team and DHL Ice Hockey League?

MAY 11-12

Could you share with us how the journey has been so far with the team receiving many accolades?

DHL is the main sponsor for Bahrain Sharks and the hockey league in Bahrain for the past few years.

October 25-27

2018 CALENDAR!

JAN- APRIL

DHL Ice Hockey League

April 19-21 Dubai tournament Bahrain

Competition Bangkok tournament

SPORTS

“

Sport is not 100% of your fitness level.

It is more about mind power in terms of determination and focusing on the game-winning strategy.

“

A huge milestone was the first DHL Ice Hockey League ever in 2013, and we have continued the success for the past three years. Without DHL’s support, ice hockey in Bahrain wouldn’t have enabled us to reach where we are now. We look forward to a very successful year 2018 for Bahrain Sharks with DHL’s support.

How has this season of DHL Ice Hockey League been so far and what are you expecting towards the end of it?

The season has been a huge success with all the four teams very close to each other. It will be very difficult to expect who will win the league this

year with Muharraq Predators, Manama Capitals, Isa Town Oilers and Riffa Maple Leafs in a highly competitive spirit. This year we chose the names based on Bahraini Governates and NHL names.

Being a team that’s earned many accolades due to its hard work and commitment, what goals have the team set for itself? Is there anything they would like to prove to themselves?

Our main goal is playing our game, showing our team character and forcing our style on the opponent by controlling the game. First, we play to enjoy and have fun, giving 110% into the game.

If we don’t win then we know we have given all that we could, but the luck was not on our side. Our strength mainly comes from our strong mindset and determination and not just the hockey skills our players have.

What is your view on ice hockey being a sport that youngsters could take up?

Ice hockey is a very different game than any other sport; you need to play the puck, watch out for the hits, and try

to score a goal while on a thin blade on an ice surface. So it is not a normal sport that you would expect any child to play.

The players must have high adrenaline level control ability and strength to skate and fight for the puck. If you can do all that you will be able to play any sport but not the other way around!

ACCOLADES:

What is your advice for aspiring athletes who would like to participate in the sport of Ice Hockey?

2014 Runner Up

If I am to advise athletes, I will say work on your mental power and confidence because the game is won in the mind first before the real game. My only tip will be work very hard in training, and the game will be easy for you because luck will be on your side only and after you give your 110%. Also, you need to know that a sport is not 100% of your fitness level.

It is more about mind power in terms of determination and focusing on the game-winning strategy. Finally working out, sleeping, and eating right is all that your body needs from you.

The mind as well needs to stay in shape through relaxation, yoga, meditation, and focus exercise.

Bahrain Tournament 2015 Champions 2016 Champions 2017 Runner Up

DHL Ice Hockey League 2013 Champions 2014 Champions

Desert Cup Qatar 2009 3rd Place 2010 Champions 2011 Champions 2012 Champions 2013 3rd Place 2015 3rd Place

Dubai Tournament 2008 Runner Up 2010 Champions 2012 3rd Place 2015 Runner Up

Abu Dhabi president Cup 2014 Champions

POWERUP | MARCH 2018

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CYCLING

I AM BAHRAIN

THE ULTIMATE FAN EXPERIENCE Fans are an integral part of any sports club. Get excited as Team Bahrain Merida has launched their very own Fan Club this year.

Here is your chance to celebrate with your team!

T

he year 2017 saw many initiatives undertaken by Team Bahrain Media which sought to give back to the Bahrain community. This year will also witness several significant efforts, the primary one being the Team Bahrain Merida Fan Club which kick-started this month.

Across the globe, it is widely recognised that major sports club have a particular fan club dedicated to them.

Team Bahrain Merida has achieved a major level in the International cycling front that calls for a dedicated fan club.

Team Bahrain Merida Fan Club has been launched with the slogan “I AM BAHRAIN”. Fans get to stick the slogan on their vehicles and receive other items and discounts that are part of the club membership.

There is an assortment of membership tiers for the Team Bahrain Merida Fan Club that will include both International and Bahraini fans. The team is recognised as having a large number of international

38 POWERUP | MARCH 2018

fans that would be ready to join the club due to the team’s popularity. This international pro cycling team is at the forefront in the cycling sport across the globe. Cycling has grown rapidly in the past year. With the launch of the team last year there has been a boom of cycling events in the country. This initiative comes as a response to that need to attract and cater to fans.

In line with this, the club will partner with F & B companies, hotels and retail groups. The newsletter will also contain ample cycling information explicitly created for cycling fans, and in this manner, the team hopes to reach young Bahrainis. Fans will gain access to many discounts along with newsletter contents about various sponsors and their essential services and products. Through this effort, they hope to turn people into cycling fans as it is an exciting sport. The fan club is one such way to promote the cycling sport and showcase Team Bahrain Merida.

Several events will also be organised such as watching Tour de France in Bahrain in a particular area and creating rides where club members would get benefits, and non-club members would have to register for rides.

At the end of the year, the team hopes to build a pool of Team Bahrain Merida fans interacting with each other and many more ideas as such. The team will create several opportunities and events around the fan club as they are optimistic that international and Bahrain fans will join the club.

SPORTS AND FITNESS

TEST YOUR STRENGTH Do you have what it takes to push yourself to the limit? Are you strong enough to overcome obstacles and prove your strength? Bahrain’s Strongest Man Championship is the platform for you to show off your skills. Bahrain saw many participants competing in the championship to mark their spot.

T

he Bahrain’s Strongest Man Championship is a self-challenging event that took place in Bahrain.

It was launched under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Many youngsters in Bahrain train very hard in the gym, but there is a lack of exposure to their skills.

His Highness Shaikh Khalid decided to bring in this event to provide a launch pad for these youngsters where they could compete and showcase their skills. It also helps to improve Bahraini youth and creates a generation with determination and will in sports, culture and health. The championship is a generous initiative under the slogan #Stay_Monster in “Bahrain Bay” which coincided with the Global Day of Challenging Cancer Disease.

WINNERS OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa ranked

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third in the lightweight class of the Strongest Man Championship. His Highness crowned the hero Emad Al Qaffas with the prize of #Bahrains_Strongest_Man. “His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain (May Allah protect him), is the first person who supported us, and it is all to his favour and efforts that we achieved this significant level in this great sport,” said His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa added.

CHARITABLE CAUSE Working and contributing towards a cause always gives a higher value to a sport.

The Bahrain’s Strongest Man Championship contributes its income for supporting cancer patients. A humanitarian initiative helps different communities in Bahrain and also spreads awareness as well.

This event proves to show that nobody is alone in challenging this disease as they will have a strong backing and people to help them power through.

SPORTS AND FITNESS

LIGHT WEIGHT COMPETITION

1st Ismaeel Sweed AlOmri 2nd Khalid Ali Althofeeri 2nd AVERAGE WEIGHT COMPETITION

1st

Sheikh Abdulla bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa

Mohammed 2nd Ahmed Taha

3rd Shaheen Mohammed AlboAeneen

HEAVY WEIGHT COMPETITION

1st Emad Hosayn Al Qaffas

2nd Salman Salim Abdulla

3rd Ali Aarif Al Sayed POWERUP | MARCH 2018

41

CYCLING

CYCLE LANES FOR CYCLISTS

Photo credit: Bettiniphoto

Bahrain is progressing rapidly in the cycling front as new initiatives address cycling lanes of about 60 km to be created. If you thought the Cycle Safe Bahrain campaign was exciting, then this new effort is sure to be ecstatic.

SHARING THE ROAD The sport of cycling has boomed in the Island for the past five years and shows no sign of stopping. It was revealed by the general directorate of traffic that more cyclists were killed on Bahrain roads in the first eight months of the year 2015.

Troubling new figures show that the average number of fatalities per month between January and August was more than double the monthly average of the year 2014. For this reason, we witness the Island taking significant measures to protect cyclists. Building awareness among motorist and cyclists is of key

42 POWERUP | MARCH 2018

“

Bahrain has already planned and hopes to achieve the goal of an independent cycling track that goes for nearly 60 km year

“

S

taying healthy has become a trend, and now cycling is hitting the road. Cycling can be a fun and active way to promote a healthy lifestyle and at the same time spend a great time with friends and family. With all things good come cautionary terms. On an average, more than hundreds of cyclists get injured on the road every year. To reduce the rate of injuries, it is important that both cyclists and motorist share the road.

importance to ensure safety. The mindset of the motorists needs to be tuned to understand and appreciate the cyclists on the roads.

CYCLING ROUTE PLANNED To reduce the alarming rates of fatalities amongst cyclist and to encourage the sport, Bahrain has decided to take

measures to help cyclists. “For this cause, Bahrain has already planned and hopes to achieve the goal of an independent cycling track that goes for nearly 60 km which is phase one. Gradually, a bigger track will be built, and the final stage will see independent cycling tracks across every road in Bahrain” said His Highness Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

BENEFITS OF CYCLING TRACK Bike lanes have become a necessity as it serves as a reminder to motorists that cyclists are roadway users as well. It also helps people to take up cycling as a means of transportation. With bike lanes in place, it further helps to control traffic and makes sure there are a smooth flow and road space between motorists and cyclists. These lanes also provide visual reminders to vehicles around and also prevents cyclists from being hesitant or frightened on the road. It is incredible to see Bahrain take such a big step in promoting this sport and encouraging the community to cycle towards a healthier lifestyle.

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CYCLING

Fans got the ultimate experience as Team Bahrain Merida rode with the fans for the second season in Bahrain.

A

round 200 athletes took part in the bike ride organised

by Team Bahrain Merida on February 2nd. It was a thrilling experience for local fans, and sports enthusiasts rode along their star athletes.

The professional riders that led the ride were Vincenzo Nibali, Sonny Colbrelli, BorutBožič, David Per, Ivan Garcia Cortina and KristijanKoren.

The day was windy as the 40 km long ride started from Sofitel Zallaq to the Bahrain International Circuit, where they made two circles, and on to the stables, where horse riders escorted them for about 10 km. “I have been cycling for 25 years in the United States. Being new to Bahrain, I had heard about Team Bahrain Merida’s previous event, and I wanted to join this time. Since I have been following the sport of cycling for a long time, I

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am familiar with the riders. I was happy that the event was organised as it was incredible riding along with them.

I spent two years in Italy before coming to Bahrain and cycling it is very big. Being here, I felt even more thrilled to ride with cyclists from this team especially the Italian cyclists” said Randal Gune.

After the ride, local riders and fans had the opportunity to interact with the

“

I have been cycling for 25 years in the United States.

Being new to Bahrain, I had heard about Team Bahrain Merida’s previous event, and I wanted to join this time.

“

BAHRAIN RIDES WITH THE TEAM

professional riders, click pictures and take their autographs. It was an enjoyable, relaxed and fun ride, and an excellent chance for all fans to be close to their idols. Fans received signed autograph cards, t-shirts and the cycling edition of PowerUp magazine as part of the event.

CYCLING

BAHRAIN RIDES WITH THE TEAM

POWERUP | MARCH 2018

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CYCLING

Photo ©TDWSport/Getty Images

ABU DHABI CYCLING TOUR

i Race: 4th Edition

The Abu Dhabi Tour covers five stages where world-class cyclists compete, throughout the city, and into the desert, culminating in a final stage on Yas Island, to claim the title.

I

n cycling, every second matter and even the smallest errors in judgement can negate hours of strenuous exertion. With over one hundred riders competing for the winner’s jersey amidst the golden dunes in the iconic city of Abu Dhabi, every second count.

The Abu Dhabi Tour is an annual stage race on the international circuit, which covers more than 671 km over five distinct stages. The 2018 tour, beginning on February 21 and culminating with stage five on February 25 on Yas Island, is the fourth edition of the prolific

46 POWERUP | MARCH 2018

race that sees riders cover hundreds of kilometres a day, through the desert and the city of Abu Dhabi.

The race was won on the final day by the Movistar Team’s Alejandro Valverde, from Spain, winning the stage finish up to Jebel Hafeet. Valverde finished 17 seconds clear of Dutch rider WilcoKelderman from Team Sunweb, while the podium was completed by Colombia’s Miguel ÁngelLópez (Astana), a further 12 seconds in arrears. The performance

by López was also enough for him to win the young rider classification.The Abu Dhabi Tour is a very different race

from those that wind through the European Alps. With four out of the five stages almost pan-flat, the terrain favours sprinters rather than endurance cyclists, with the result that the tour can be won or lost in a matter of seconds.

TAG Heuer launched the official countdown of the Abu Dhabi Tour and announced the #DontCrackUnderPressure prize at the official Abu Dhabi Tour Press Conference. The new 2018 winner’s jersey of the Abu Dhabi Tour along with the new Abu Dhabi Tour routes was unveiled.

5 STAGES: 3 Flat Stages 1 Individual Time Trial 1 Mountain Stage

First edition 2015

WINNERS Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Movistar Team

WilcoKelderman

2 (NED) Team Sunweb

Miguel ÁngelLópez

3 (COL) Astana

SPORTS

RISE AS ONE BAHRAIN SPORTS DAY

People in Bahrain were treated to a day of fun, and colourful sporting activities lined up in celebrating Bahrain National Sports Day.

C

itizens of Bahrain had an incredible experience as the Island celebrated its National Sports Day. The spectacular event had a variety of sporting games for visitors. Food stalls served mouthwatering snacks from traditional to fast foods. Tens of thousands of citizens and residents from all segments of the society participated.

The event, which falls on the second Tuesday of every February, was a day of sports and other fun activities to promote the benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle. During the sports day, staged for the second successive year, all of Bahrain’s institutions participated in this sport transforming the country into a large green playground.

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ACTIVITIES AROUND

FUN RUN

More than 250 activities were held in different places, with the main programmes running at the sports village in Isa Town Sports City, located behind the National Stadium in Riffa. This was an attempt to promote awareness among people to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

A first-of-its-kind ‘Fun Run’ event was organised at the sports village in cooperation with the Olympic Council of Asia to promote the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang, from August 18 to September 2. Hundreds of adults and schoolchildren took part in the Fun Run programme, which is a dedicated OCA social sports development and promotion program that is held among 45 Asian National Olympic Councils.

Among the various type of sports programmes organised by different ministries, private institutions and Bahrain’s governorates were athletics, martial arts, football, basketball, mind sports, triathlon, table tennis, cycling, gymnastics Spartan, horse riding , camel riding and taekwondo.

Bahrain Olympic Committee general secretary and organising committee chairman Abdulrahman Askar and minister of Youth and Sports Affairs Hisham Al Jowder presented awards to representatives of ministries, companies, governorates and

contributors in appreciation to their efforts in making this year’s edition of the Bahrain Sports Day an all-around success.

Askar took this opportunity to thank His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa for his directives to allocate half of the workday for the activities, which reflects His Highness’ approach to encourage all members of Bahraini society to exercise to be a daily lifestyle.

The BOC general secretary also expressed gratitude to Shaikh Nasser in Hamad Al Khalifa, representative of His Majesty for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and BOC president, for his directives to bring the different type of sports activities on this special day.

martial arts

football basketball mind sports

triathlon table tennis cycling gymnastics

Spartan

horse riding camel riding taekwondo

POWERUP | MARCH 2018

49

P O LO

dubaipologoldcup.com

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS The highly anticipated and must-see event on the international polo calendar will host hundreds of polo fans from across the UAE, VIPs, and socialites who will get the chance to enjoy the great ambience.

J

ulius Baer Gold Cup 2018, the region’s premier polo tournament celebrates its second year on its new home ground.

The region’s largest polo tournament, returns for its ninth edition to its new home ground, the Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club in Dubailand.

Held under the umbrella of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series, the Julius Baer Gold Cup 2018 will open its gates to the public on 16 February 2018 with the long-awaited final scheduled for 9 March 2018.

Eight internationally renowned teams will be playing in this year’s tournament, which is said to be “a true testament to great polo tournaments within the UAE.” Participation has been confirmed by the

50 POWERUP | MARCH 2018

UAE Polo Team led by Her Highness SheikhaMaithabint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

DUBAI POLO GOLD CUP SERIES The Julius Baer Gold Cup (Dubai Open), an 18-goal handicap competition, is one of the only tournaments in the United Arab Emirates to be recognised and certified by the World Polo Tour (WPT) and ranked by the highly coveted ‘WPT Cup’, resulting in winners receiving 60 points for their victory. The tournament is played under the banner of the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) and strict international supervision according to the HPA rules and provision of its umpires.

Mohammed Al Habtoor said, “With eight world-class teams and a line-up of exceptional

players, polo fans and guests are guaranteed to experience some exciting matches and top sportsmanship in the coming weeks.”

Saman Habibian, Head GCC International at Bank Julius Baer & Co. said, “This year’s edition of the Julius Baer Gold Cup is very special as it cements the game’s status as the leading polo competition in the region. Through this platform, Julius Baer is very excited to support Dubai’s emergence as a premier hub for equestrian sports and events. Polo perfectly embodies a commitment to exceptional quality and a heritage of excellence – values that we look to bring to our clients every day. We wish the competing teams all the success and a great show for the fans.”

Winners of the 2018 Julius

Baer Gold Cup will not only be awarded a prestigious title and trophy, but they will also be given timeless gifts from the sponsors and patrons.

Participating teams include UAE Polo Team Patron Her Highness Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum HabtoorPolo Patron Mohammed Al Habtoor Wolves Polo Team Patron Habtoor Al Habtoor Mahra Polo Patron Rashid Al Habtoor Bin Drai Polo Team Patron Saeed Bin Drai Zedan Polo Team Patron Amr Zedan Abu Dhabi Team Patron Faris Al Yabhouni Desert Palm Team Patron Tariq Al Bawardy

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

Jordan’s sporting hall is set to host one of the most sought after fight sport. Are you a fan of these fighting teams? Then head to Jordan for an exhilarating experience.

B

rave Combat Federation will be hosting the first event in Jordan with the tenth edition of the promotion on 2nd March 2018 at the Boxing Arena, King Hussien Sports City in Amman.

The massive fight card will feature 24 fighters in 12 bouts including the first event championship title defence in the history of the promotion. The event is held as an initiative by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa to strengthen the relations between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan by reviving mixed martial arts in Jordan. The massive fight card also features famous mixed martial artists from Jordan including Jarrah Al

52 POWERUP | MARCH 2018

QUICK FACTS ABOUT

BRAVE 10

THE KINGDOM RISES

24 ATHLETES

19 GYMS \ FIGHT TEAMS REPRESENTING

13 NATIONS FIRST

CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE DEFENCE IN BRAVE COMBAT FEDERATIONS

Selawe, Abdul Kareem Al Selwady, Jalal Al Daaja and Nawras Abzakh..

After Brave 9: The Kingdom of Champions, Mohammed Shahid, President of Brave Combat Federation had announced that the promotion would be looking forward to new destinations to host events which can increase the global footprint of the aggressively growing organisation.

Currently Brave Combat Federation has 151 athletes signed in contracts from 34 different nations. Jordan will become the seventh nation to host Brave Combat Federation after Bahrain, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, India, Kazakhstan and Mexico.

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

MAJOR FIGHT TEAMS TO LOCK HORNS AT JORDAN Brave 10: The Kingdom Rises is scheduled as a battleground for some of the top mixed martial art gyms and fight teams from around the world.

Living up to the name as the truly global mixed martial art promotion, Brave Combat Federation has come up with one of the most diverse fight cards that have ever been hosted on Jordanian soil.

Fight teams from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and North America will collide in the largest fight card ever assembled in Jordan.

FIGHTERS KINGDOM FIGHTERS, JORDAN JARRAH HUSSEIN AL-SILAWI JALAL AL DA AJA

GLADIATOR MMA, JORDAN NAWRA Z ABZ AKH

FORTIS MMA, TEXAS USA ABDUL-K AREEM AL-SELWADY

LA BONNE ECOLE, FRANCE ELIAS BOUDEGZDAME

OBY FIGHT, FRANCE DAVID BEAR TAHAR HADB I

TIGER MUAY THAI THAILAND MOHAMMAD FAKHREDDINE TAREK SULEIMAN

SHOGUN TEAM MOHAMMAD GHORABI GOREC G ADZHIMUSA G A ZIEV

KHK MMA IKRAM ALISKEROV

SBG IRELAND DYLAN TUKE FRANS MLAMBO WILL FLEURY

TEAM CROSSFACE CHARLIE LEARY TEAM LLOYD ERVIN SODIQ YUSUFF

CHUTE BOXE DIEGO LIMA FELIPE EFRAIN TEAM LAK AY CRISANTO PITPITUNGE

WCA FIGHT TEAM

ELIAS BOUDEGZDAME TRAINS AT LA BONNE ECOLE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE DEFENCE Elias Boudegzdame (14-4-0) will be the first champion at Brave Combat Federation to defend his championship title. Elias who trains at La Bonne Ecole will face Jakub Kowalewicz from Poland who trains at the WCA Fight Team. Jakub Kolwalewicz (9-3-0) had made his first fight in Mumbai, India at the fifth edition of Brave against Alex

Da Silva and won the bout by unanimous decision. The championship title was presented to Elias Boudegzdame at Brave 4: Undisputed in Abu Dhabi by His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa after he defeated Masio Fullen by submission in the very first round.

JAKUB KOWALEWICZ

BERKUT ARRACHION OLSZTYN PAWEL KIELEK

BLACKZILIANS SIDNEY WHEELER

ESPOON KEHAHAIT ABDUL HUSSEIN

FIGHT FIT MILITIA CHAD HANEKOM POWERUP | MARCH 2018

53

REV UP

REV UP

Get the latest from the leading source of breaking car news.

PowerUp covers everything from the hottest new car launches to the latest in-car gadgets.

THINK, FEEL AND DRIVE EXCITEMENT BEHIND THE WHEEL

S

etting new standards for the mid-size sedan segment in design, performance and comfort, Ebrahim K. Kanoo announced today the launch of the all-new 2018 Toyota Camry in Bahrain. The design of the eighth- generation Camry aims to test the limits of performance and intelligence, infusing the high-end sedan with a refined feel.

The design team began with a blank slate, using Toyota new global architecture as the basis for the all-new platform, units, electronics, and other core components. The result is a striking emotional character,

54 POWERUP | MARCH 2018

stunningly beautiful design, responsive driving and premium rode performance.

“To create something that stirs people’s soul, we have laid out the concept of a new sedan that provides fun and excitement behind the wheel,” said Chief Engineer of the all-new Camry, Masato Katsumata.

FEATURES With an exciting interior featuring a distinctive design and offering convenience and comfort with a layer of luxury, the bold new car’s cabin is accentuated with a range of advanced features.

POWER TRAIN OPTIONS Set to become a new sensation among the region’s aspiring car enthusiasts, the all-new Camry comes with three powertrain options; a 2.5 litre four-cylinder engine that produces 178 hp and mated with six-speed automatic transmission and a newly developed 3.5 litre V6 with D-45 fuel injection system that produces 298 hp mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

As with any Toyota model, safety remains a top priority for the all-new Camry which includes a comprehensive array of safety features to protect its occupants.

ENHANCED FEATURES Enhanced in-vehicle 8-inch information displays Wireless charging system for smartphones Dual zone automatic air conditioning system Six-speaker sound system Multi-adjustable power front seats 60/40 and recling rear seats.

LET’S LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER Cycle Safe Bahrain will be seen appearing around the Kingdom over the following months. It is an initiative by PowerUp and TriLife to promote safety and awareness for cyclists and motorists sharing the road.

ST AYIN’ SAFE AT

1.5 mtr GIVE 1.5 METRE TO PASS A CYCLIST SHARE THE ROAD SAFETY IS FOR ALL

A MESSAGE FROM

in partnership with

T R I AT H L O N

CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

PHOTO BY NIGEL RODDIS/ GETTY IMAGES

All the workouts and training for these athletes have finally paid off. Bahrain celebrated as the Endurance 13 team brought remarkable results in the fourth edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai triathlon.

B

rownlee and Haug ran in the first of the Nasser Bin Hamad Triple Crown and both clocked incredible run splits of 1:09 and 1:14 respectively.

The champions bagged the honours at the fourth edition of the IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai race.

JULIE MOSS Even if you haven’t heard her name, you would have probably watched the videos. In 1982, it was “the crawl” that was so dramatic that it made the race famous as it went live on national television. This time for the IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai, Julie Moss covered the course in 5 hours, 8 minutes, fastest time of every age group for women 45-49 up. She clocked in the swim course at 30 minutes, 46 seconds, bike course at 2 hours 30 minutes and run course at 1 hour, 55 seconds.

56 POWERUP | MARCH 2018

ALISTAIR BROWNLEE Alistair Brownlee took the wire-to-wire win at Ironman 70.3 Dubai, kicking off his campaign to win the Triple Crown series and a million dollars this year. Over the 1.9-kilometer swim, 90-kilometer bike, and 21-kilometer run, the dual Olympic champion from the United Kingdom finished eight minutes ahead of the

MEN 1 3:35:30 Alistair Brownlee (gbr) 2 3:42:05 Sven Riederer (SUI)

3 3:42:42 Ruedi Wild (SUI)

4 3:43:38 Maurice clavel (ger)

5 3:44:19 Nicholas Kastelein (AUS)

T RCI AT Y CHLLI ON NG

field, recording the second-fastest swim (22:35), the only bike split to go under two hours (1:58:51), and the day’s best run split (1:09:34).

Brownlee’s 2017 season ended in August when he had hip surgery. The British star, who underwent hip surgery last August, returned in style and was first over the finish line at the IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai race.

“I wouldn’t be here if I were unfit, and I can be competitive to the point where I can win,” he had said pre-race -- and he delivered in true Brownlee fashion. He was in splendid form, showing no traces of the hip injury that forced him onto the sidelines for most of last year. After surgery, he had spent the latter half of 2017 in physical rehab.

PHOTO BY TOM DULAT/GETTY IMAGES

At the finish line, Brownlee said, “It did go over smoothly. Didn’t feel great on the swim, had a couple of bad patches on the bike but on the run, I just felt great, I was in control, and I enjoyed the last 10 -18K. I was just soaking it in, enjoying the cheers.

Obviously, it’s so fantastic to be back after too much time spent at the gym the past six months.”

“I was delighted with my race in the IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai. The race went almost perfectly, and it was great to have the performance I thought I could, and the support on the course was fantastic” said Brownlee.

ANNE HAUG Haug overcame a 3:37 deficit to 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Champion Holly Lawrence after the bike, then blew past Kimberley Morrison and Lawrence with a sizzling 1:14:11 run. Haug finished in 4:00:25 with a 4:54 margin of victory over fast-closing Sarah Lewis of Great Britain and 7:11 over 3rd place finisher Lawrence.

VOLUNTEERS Behind every successful events is a team that’s works 24/7 at the back end.

IRONAMN 70.3 Dubai contributes its success to the committed and dedicated volunteers who worked around the clock to make sure the triathlon went as smooth as possible.

WOMEN 1 4:00:25 Anne Haug (GER)

PHOTO BY TOM DULAT/GETTY IMAGES

Sarah Lewis 2 4:05:19 (GBR)

3 4:07:36 Holly Lawrence (GBR)

4:11:11 4 (AUS) Ellie Salthouse

5 4:15:16 Agnieszka Jerzyk (POL)

PHOTO BY NIGEL RODDIS/ GETTY IMAGES

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SPORTS

GAME ON ABU DHABI UAE is set to host two iconic events, the IX MENA Games 2018 and Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. Thousands across the globe will converge at the Emirati capital to participate.

T

he UAE Sports Federations conveyed their full support for the two upcoming Special Olympics which are set to be held in Abu Dhabi that would provide care for athletes, as well as various others elements. The year 2018 year will witness the IX MENA Games 2018 take place during March when more than 1,200 athletes from 33 countries will gather in the UAE. Next year, the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 will see the most significant humanitarian

sporting event in the world coming to the Emirati Capital, marking its first debut in the history of the MENA region, as 7,000 participants from 170 countries will arrive for the event. The games will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Khalfan Matar Al Romaithi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police and President of the General Authority of Sport, H.E. Mohammed Abdullah Al Junaibi, Chairman of the High Committee of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, as well as senior executives from various sports federations, government institutions and a number of dignitaries.

A Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony was held at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in the presence of H.E. Major General Mohammed

“Abu Dhabi hosting this international humanitarian event will undoubtedly empower both the sports sectors in the country and our talented athletes of

SPECIAL OLYMPICS IX MENA GAMES 2018

14 – 23 March 2018

33 countries

1,200 athletes

16 sports SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES ABU DHABI 2019

14 - 21 March in 2019

170 countries

7,000 participants

24 Sports

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SPORTS

The Memorandum of understanding outlines the grounds for active cooperation between UAE Sports Federations and the Special Olympics, which will include providing services for all sports of Special Olympics, including technical staff and referees; as well as providing full care for athletes coming to Abu Dhabi.

Special Olympics MENA and World Games are the most effective elements in a series of initiatives that Abu Dhabi and the UAE are planning as part of their commitment towards providing more opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and enhancing their integration in society across the emirate, the state and the region as a whole.

Special Olympics IX MENA Games 2018 will take place from 14 – 21 March 2018 and over 1,200 athletes of all abilities will descend upon Abu Dhabi to take part in the Games, which will be the first major sporting event ahead of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. Athletes will take part in 16 different sports that will be hosted in eight different venues including ADNEC, Zayed Sports City, Yas Marina Circuit, NYUAD, Officer’s Club, Mubadala IPC Arena, Al Jazira Sports Club and Al Forsan Club.

Special Olympics IX MENA Games and Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 are a part of the UAE’s National Vision 2021 that highlights the full integration of people of determination into everyday society. Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 will be the most ‘unified’ games in history and promise to offer an inclusive experience for those with and without intellectual disabilities.

“

ABU DHABI HOSTING THIS INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN EVENT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY EMPOWER BOTH THE SPORTS SECTORS IN THE COUNTRY AND OUR TALENTED ATHLETES OF DETERMINATION, AS IT WILL SHOWCASE THEIR TALENTS AND SKILLS AND HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR SEAMLESS INTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY.

“

determination, as it will showcase their talents and skills and highlight the importance of their seamless integration into society” said Mohammed Khalfan Matar Al Romaithi.

Mohammed Khalfan Matar Al Romaithi

Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police and President of the General Authority of Sport

SCHEDULE FOR 2019 GAMES

8 to 11 March Host Town

12 & 13 March

Divisioning and Preliminary competitions

14 March

Opening Ceremony

14 - 21 March Competition and Other Events

21 March

Closing Ceremony

HIS EXCELLENCY MOHAMED AL JUNAIBI

General Director of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME The volunteer programme, which is supported by the Ministry of Community Development and Emirates Foundation, allows volunteers to play a major role in one the world’s biggest events to help transform the lives of thousands of individuals and families by launching a new era of inclusion, hope and understanding. Alongside the practical skills, volunteers will be making a difference by helping the athletes to compete, by interacting with them and seeing the courage and joy they bring to the playing field.

Mohamed Abdulla Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi World Games Higher Committee, said, “We launched

our volunteer programme in November and are always looking for new ways to engage with and educate people into volunteering. The New Year often brings resolutions and pledges to change or help others, and we hope by having this presence at Al Maryah, we have signed up even more volunteers for the Special Olympics Games.

With 2018 being the ‘Year of Zayed’, a great and noble man who encouraged respect, determination and a sense a of belonging to the nation, this echoes the key foundations of the Special Olympics, and we’re hoping this too will lead more and more volunteers to sign up and get involved.

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59

T R I AT H L O N

PLAY SMART

FOR THE BIG RACE

IRONMAN gave this athlete the confidence to power through things. Yousif Zaman gives a motivational talk organised by Obai & Hill. “Everyone has a goal and dream, nothing or no one can stop you from achieving those dreams but yourself” is his IRONMAN story.

WHAT IF WHY TRIATHLON? Challenge Belief Commitment Confidence Discipline

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS? Just a Bike Training gears

WEAR FOR TRIATHLON? Ready to wear Customize Layer up

LIKE JUST ONE OR TWO OF 3 SPORTS? Relay - join a team

NO SUPPORT SYSTEM? Believe in yourself

DO I NEED TO DO IT ALONE OR IN A GROUP?

B

ack in the year 2014, there weren’t many athletes apart from six or seven people when I started off. There were lack of coaches and races in Bahrain that meant we had to sign up for races abroad.

Today, Bahrain has made it possible to compete by bringing the race here. I signed for IRONMAN without even training or swimming, but my mind was made up to compete in this race. After registering, my search for a

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coach began. These races are for you to train your mind that you can do it. Training for IRONMAN is not a hard or tough task but is quite easy.

Confidence and absolute belief in yourself are key ingredients that enable you to accomplish those goals.

WHY TRIATHLON? It’s all about - Challenge, Belief, Commitment, Confidence, Discipline Record every moment before you do an IRONMAN, as this race will boost your

confidence in life. Your dressing will change, your steps as you walk and it changes your personality.

When you face an issue you assume those are challenges, but they aren’t, they are merely small stones thrown at you. Challenge is something that you set for yourself. People aim so low which is the reason why 80% of people fail. Triathlon is all about aiming high. Neither are you too old nor too young to do an IRONMAN as it fits all category. It doesn’t matter if you don’t come from a

Train alone or with others Training indoor or outdoor

HOW DO I FIND TIME TO TRAIN? Train anytime!

WHAT DO I EAT BEFORE THE RACE Healthier food you eat the stronger you get

T R I AT H L O N

“

“

TRAIN YOUR MIND TO BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN DO IT.

swimming or biking background because none of us did. But you can train for it. Consider doing an IRONMAN because neither is it easy nor is it hard. Train your mind to believe that you can do it.

TRAIN YOUR MIND In life, most people fear failure.

Failure should be replaced by the thought of achieving success. The road to success is failure. The best way to succeed is the failure highway even if it means doing it three times in a row. Famous personalities, athletes have failed at least once to get to where they are today. If you are fearless, then nothing can stop you from achieving what you’ve set your mind toward.

RACE DAY The swimming and the biking were alright but on the run, I started cramping, and it was a long day as I started running after eight hours.

After 20 kilometers, I started feeling that I could not do this. Sitting down on the ground recollecting every move that was made throughout the race, the medical team checked my temperature and suggested to pull out of the race. Despite their suggestion, I managed to complete the race. My body and mind are geared up to challenge the previous time clocked. Every race is a teaching moment about my confidence. If you believe in yourself, you can do anything, and nothing can stop you. Everybody has greatness, but it is up to each person to take that to the next step.

Do not do a triathlon for commercial reasons, but because you love it and you want to do it.

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&

WELLNESS

H E A LT H

SIDATH TENNAKOON

ICC Global Level 3, Cricket Australia Level 2 – Advanced Head Coach Colts Cricket Academy, Bahrain Phone: +973 336 24 226 E-Mail: info@coltssports.com www.coltssports.com

It is fascinating to see how cricket has changed over the years since its start.

With the new T20 game format, the Test and One Day formats of the game also became more interesting. Rules of the game have been changed with power, strength and speed becoming the new norm of cricket.

5 HABITS OF MENTALLY

TOUGH C R I C K ET ER S

W

ith positive changes in the cricket world, the demands of the game on the players have increased as well. Having sound physical fitness levels have become essential for today’s cricketers. However, we have witnessed highly talented and skilled players struggling to be successful at highest levels although they have excellent physical fitness.

So what more does it require to become successful at the top? The secret formula is the “Mental Strength.”

It has become one of the most important skills a player should possess to be successful at the top. One of the Cricket’s most revered players, Sachin Tendulkar once said: “It’s mental discipline that sets someone apart, the ability to think differently, and to generate energy in the right direction.”

MENTAL STRENGTH Mental strength is the ability to stick to and perform your routine no matter the situation be it hard or easy. There are many complicated models for sports psychology and mental skills training. However, during my ICC Global Level 3 coach education program in 2017, I’ve been introduced to the following model which describes five proven “mindset habits” that many highly successful performance athletes across a range of team sports have.

After extensive research I have understood that these habits would be beneficial for the cricketers at any level to improve, reach and perform longer at the highest level. Coaches also need to understand how they can drive in these habits within the players to bring the best out of them.

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H E A LT H

1

LEARN AND ADAPT

If there is one skill that is more important than any other in a dynamic high-performance environment, it is the ability to learn and adapt. There are four ‘learn and adapt’ elements;

GROWTH MINDSET VERSUS FIXED MINDSET A player with a growth mindset believes that any of their abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. You will need to embrace all the things that have felt threatening: challenge, struggle, criticism, and setbacks. In this way you realize your potential and all that you can do. Instead of depending on luck or “natural” talent, focus on developing your skills and abilities, and learn from those efforts.

SELF- REFLECTION It is important to evaluate your performance such as thoughts, emotions and behaviours. This helps you to be better prepared and make the necessary changes to your next game.

ACTION DEBRIEFING An action debrief is a facilitated discussion to check how you performed about what happened, why it happened, and how it can be done better in the future.

This is a key tool for both coaches and for you to think and set plans to improve the way you play.

TRAINING AND TRUSTING MINDSET Understanding the difference and effects of training and trusting mindsets are essential for the success of a cricketer at any level. Training mindset is the right place to be when you’re practising. It’s exactly the wrong place to be when you’re performing.

You perform your best when you are in the trusting mindset. You become so engaged in the task that there’s no room for selfdoubt or criticism.

2

KNOW YOUR GAME

SELF-AWARENESS Players need to understand themselves, their strengths and places where they can improve. Great players accurately know their strengths as a cricketer and have a realistic view of where their game needs improvement. This does not mean just

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knowing technical skills or just physically but also of your emotions, learning and thoughts.

Behaviour-enhancing feedback helps to boost self-awareness in players so it a good tool for coaches.

GAME PLANNING AND GAME AWARENESS High performers are very skilled at preparing to perform in a variety of different situations.

Top players are very good at goal settling, planning, creating rituals and routines. This helps them to consistently prepare for matches and is an effective way to read flow and tactics during a game.

3

HARNESSING YOUR EMOTIONS

MINDFULNESS Mindfulness is about training yourself to focus on the present moment. The training is about lowering tension levels through breathing exercises and other techniques that can be used to prepare for and perform in challenging situations.

BEING IN THE ZONE What athletes call ‘being in the zone’ is a key to achieving the best. It is about bringing the right level of emotion to the situation of the game. This may be to show calmness and control when things aren’t going well or challenging and not being complacent or lazy when things are easy.

VISUALIZATION AND REHEARSAL The vast majority of top players use some form of mental imagery to build their confidence and readiness to perform. They use mental rehearsal to get their thoughts clear and confident before games. They use various visualisations techniques and meditation to train their minds to concentrate and focus on one thing forgetting many distractions around them. This is very critical when they perform in front of huge crowds and deafening noise.

4

PREPARE AS YOU PLAY

There are few sports where the practice and performance environments are as physically different as they are in cricket.

This makes it essential for the players that their mindset is about practising to perform –

rather than winding through a traditional net session. This will require two core mental habits or capabilities:

PURPOSE AND FOCUS To ‘prepare as you play’ means players are acting with purpose and focus using performance goals, targets and well practised routines and rituals. They need to concentrate on what’s happening in the present moment despite distractions. It is essential that the players practice and prepare using an environment as much as similar to the one in which they will perform.

TEAMWORK AND PARTNERSHIPS Being a team game, cricket requires each player to show commitment to the team standards of behaviours which helps to create a high-performance culture. The foundation of a high-performance culture is the commitment by the members of the group to team standards, and to working in partnerships to develop and perform.

5

ENJOY THE CHALLENGE

This habit builds on the other four habits and focuses on two key skill sets that are easily observable in the top international players:

THE WINNING MINDSET Top athletes successfully deal with challenges on and off the field because they have developed the resilience, confidence and optimism needed to move towards challenges. They trust their skills developed to be good enough to succeed at top level.

PERFORMING IN THE BIG MOMENTS An extension of the ‘Winning Mindset’ is performing well in the most important situations. This requires players to believe that the big moments bring out their best, and having the skills and confidence to adjust their effort and emotional intensity in the heat of competition. They enjoy playing under intense pressure.

FITNESS

101 CONQUEROR WITH THE

IFBB Professional Bodybuilder William Bonac has a conversation with PowerUp on health and fitness and his commitment towards bodybuilding when he came for the opening of Wawan Bahrain. Take a glimpse of what it takes to be a body builder and how to keep at it.

A

t a young age of 12, I started training twice a week in the gym.

Workouts in the initial days were not meant for bodybuilding instead it was solely for training.

It wasn’t until the age of 26 that my competition days began.

A TYPICAL DAY My day consists of firstly picking my son from school and preparing food for him and my girlfriend. After which, he is taken to his soccer game and dropped back at his mother’s house.

I return home and spend an hour with my girlfriend and head to the gym. It is a 45-minute drive to the gym where I train for about one and a half hours to two hours straight. The two-hour training session does not include the exchange of pleasantries with everyone in between.

IMAGE: MUSCLE EVOLUTION

MEALS

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I eat six meals a day, that’s right! The kind of food I take is clean and dry because it has no sauce and no nothing on it. A little bit of salt in it can be added to the food. For breakfast, I do load up on carbohydrates such as oatmeal.

For proteins, I consume three whole eggs and four egg whites only. When it comes to dinner, days when I do my leg training I prefer oatmeal again like my breakfast where I put bananas, blueberries and two scoops of USN protein and mix it.

Even though I do go out and have a social life, I make sure to stick to my diet.

FITNESS

PHOTO BY MATTHIAS BUSSE

SIX MEALS A DAY Carbohydrates: Rice, potatoes and oatmeal.

Fats: Avocados and egg yolk Protein: Chicken breast, steak and salmon.

MONDAY

WAKE UP: EMPTY STOMACH Protein Shakes BCAA (For recovery) Glutamine ( Hold your muscles) GYM Morning cardio of 30 minutes BACK FROM THE GYM Take a probiotic digestive enzymes First meal (After 10 to 15 min) One serving of a fish oil Multi vitamin.

AFTER THREE MEALS Intake of Supplements Take Vitamin C Vitamin D Omega 3 - fish Oil (to get lean and is good for the heart) Vitamin will give me more energy.

THE NEXT TWO MEALS

TIPS FOR BODY BUILDERS Always believe in yourself, train hard and smart. Do not listen to anybody except for your parents and people who really care for you. You can only speak for yourself as everyone else’s body speaks differently.

Whether you win or lose a show or you win multiple shows overall, it does not mean that you are going to win Olympia. Understand that no matter what happens never quit your job for this. Always make sure you have a job until you are really sure that you can step aside and do this 100%.

A lot of people make this mistake. They win one show or two shows and think they are there already. They end up not caring about their jobs and come late as well. After falling sick, they lose everything. Understand that without money you can’t buy your supplements. The contribution to your gym and the food needed is expensive. So you need to have a good job to get far and do what you have to do. This I would say is the most important thing to do.

Arms, Back, Biceps and Pulldowns.

TUESDAY

Chest and Triceps

WEDNESDAY

Legs and Hand strings

THURSDAY

Shoulders and Calf muscles

FRIDAY

Back again, Thickness and rowing.

(It’s the same muscle group but different exercises)

SATURDAY Soccer playing

“

“

ONE DAY DIARY

When going out for food, rice and steak are on my menu, and I make sure I tell them how to make it. Cheat days are not on my calendar. With my preparation for Olympia 2017, I had two cheat days. This was primarily because I was sick due to my travel to Kenya and getting the bacteria. This resulted in my body weight dropping quickly.

Always believe in yourself, train hard and smart

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H E A LT H A N D W E L L N E S S

EXERCISE DONE RIGHT! Fitness levels of the best 11 professional cricketers are great examples of how a workout regime is what you need to hit that six! If you are an amateur or a professional cricket player then here are the best exercises you need to do.

Are you a batsman that wants to hit every ball out of the park? Want to bowl at high speed rate? It all boils down to your body strength!

JUMP SQUATS >> You can do it with body weight, dumbbells or a barbell and it rains your hip movements, legs, shoulders and trunk in one go. You can even do a jump squat. Flying catchers by cricketers are amazing, and now you know how it’s done!

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DEADLIFT This will help you to strengthen your lower back, hips and thighs especially since you will be standing on the field for a long time which will take a toll on your body. You will also have an improved grip strength which is very much needed for this game!

H E A LT H A N D W E L L N E S S

photo : life.spartan.com

COOK HIP LIFT >> You will need your muscles to go in the right way while you are running and this hamstring and hip exercise will help you do just that. Are you a fielder or a fast bowler?

Then you need to try this.

<< NEUTRAL GRIP PULL - UPS A neutral grip pull up engages the arms more than the back, unlike a regular pull up, which puts more stress on the back. It is also easier on the shoulder joints.

This is another great way to strengthen your grip.

LUNGE AND TWIST Combines controlled trunk rotation with stability.

Hold a medicine ball, lunge forward and "sweep" the ball toward the side of the front knee, twisting the entire spine to follow the arms. Modify this by lunging forward at an angle or pull a Theraband across the body.

Keep the trunk upright and spine in neutral at all times.

ROTATOR CUFF By doing this exercise, your shoulders are strengthened which will help you get a better edge over your opponent team.

popsugar.com

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NUTRITION

NUT RITION S OURCE FOR YOUR PHYSIQUE Protein is a word so often heard in health and fitness, and yet so often misunderstood and underutilised. Here are a few pointers that will help you understand the basics of this power ful nutrient and how it can be better employed in your current regime.

A basic understanding of protein teaches us that proteins are made up of individual amino acids that come together to form peptides or peptide chains.

It is these protein structures that are responsible for a whole host of duties in our body, ranging from metabolic activity (energy provision) to the structure of the body, hormones, enzymes and immune chemicals.

Ideally, this should increase as your activity levels rise, mainly if you are lifting weights and participating in an intensive exercise.

WHAT FOODS INCLUDE PROTEIN? Lean meats – ground beef, chicken, turkey

Fish – salmon, tuna, cod

Eggs

Dairy – Cottage cheese, greek yogurt, cheese

HOW, WHAT, WHEN? So with that being said, how much protein should you be eating, what foods can you get them from and when should you be eating protein?

Beans, peas, legumes, tofu

HOW MUCH PROTEIN SHOULD I BE EATING? At least 25% of your diet should be made up of protein.

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You should aim to have a protein dense food from the list shown. An excellent way to get enough protein is to use your hand as a guide.

Women should aim to have one palm-sized portion of protein and men should use two palm-sized portions at every meal.

SUPPLEMENTS

DIETARY PROTEIN It should be clear that protein is imperative to maintaining a healthy body.

It is, therefore, crucial we include adequate protein in our diets. Furthermore, when our body uses amino acids, we have to replenish them.

We only produce certain types of amino acids, and other important ones can only be found through the protein we eat in our diet.

WHEN SHOULD I EAT PROTEIN?

Supplements

The infamous protein shakes... the curer of all and the secret to muscles… not quite. The best way to look at protein shakes and supplements is purely for convenience. All supplements serve to do is deliver a high dose of protein in a convenient and quick way.

This is a perfect way to get your protein needs when you can’t get dietary protein from the food you’re eating due to lifestyle demands.

With that being said, it is ALWAYS advised to get most of your protein from whole foods, and protein supplements should be used as a supplement to your diet, not a necessity.

For more information: Cobra Fitness Bahrain provide Muay Thai, Boxing, MMA, BJJ, Fitness, Personal Training, Nutrition and Kids classes.

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Manager and Trainer at Cobra Fitness Bahrain, he specialises in functional fitness, transformation and is a qualified sports nutritionist under Precision Nutrition

THE BENEFITS OF PROTEIN BUILD MUSCLE Since you need protein to build muscle, eating enough protein will ensure your body has what it needs to build that muscle.

MAINTAIN MUSCLE Consuming an adequate protein intake will improve muscle recovery and prevent your muscles from breaking down after excercising.

FAT LOSS Protein has the highest thermic effect : your bidy burns more calories digesting proteins than carbs or fat. Protein also keeps you feeling full together.

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H E A LT H

FEED THAT INNER BE AST !

After weeks and months of training, you have finally crossed that finish line. You put in all your effor t to finish strong. What you feed your body affects what you can do with your body. We know the impor tance of fueling well before your event, but what you eat and drink after is also impor tant to maximise your recover y.

Think fast and refuel your body 30 to 60 minutes after your race or prolonged workout.

Aim to consume a good 150300 calorie of easily digested carbohydrate and protein.

Carbohydrates are needed to restock your energy stores whereas protein to kick-start muscle repair. Energy bars, a small sandwich, banana with nut butter, or yoghurt with some fruits, pistachios are all good examples of what you can eat.

Hydrate well with water and sip on fluids throughout the day to rehydrate.

Sports drinks provide potassium and sodium, but drinking them after the race will be of little nutritional benefit.

Instead, replenish your electrolytes from fruits and fruit juices. A better choice would be beetroot juice as studies show that beetroot juice accelerates recovery and decreases muscle soreness.

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DIANA NAKHLE

Clinical Dietitian Carlton Nutrition Center Instagram @diana.nakhle Throughout her career, she has succeeded to provide nutrition counseling to thousands of people to help them achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Within two to three hours have a complete balanced meal of lean protein chicken or fish, carbohydrates like potato, rice, pasta preferably brown and good fats with the right amount of greens. Make sure to have some fruits as a snack.

Get enough rest and some good night sleep as this is when most of your muscle repair occurs.

Refer to a qualified dietitian to guide you through your journey as optimal nutrition and hydration boost your performance and unleash your inner beast!

Cleaning Fluoride And Fissure Sealants Filling And Veneers Crowns, Bridges And Implants orthodontics And Invisalign Laser Dentistry Nitrous Oxide Sedation School Education Programmes +973 17596444 @saardentalspecialists www.sdentalsc.com

H E A LT H C A R E

TICK AWAY YOUR OR AL HE ALTH

WHICH PROCEDURE IS RIGHT FOR ME? QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DENTIST ARE: 1. How will my teeth look after the work is completed?

2. What should I expect through the course of treatment?

Everyone understands that you should take care of your teeth to avoid toothaches, maintain your looks and keep dental bills at bay. Many people, however, don’t understand how crucial oral health is to our total health picture entists can improve your smile by performing a variety of procedures. These procedures involved treating missing, discolored, chipped, broken, misshapen and poorly aligned teeth, such as tooth whitening, white fillings or bonded restoration, crowns, veneers, orthodontics and reshaping or contouring teeth. Sometimes these treatments are combined to give you the best results.

It is important for your dentist to assess the health of your teeth and gums before starting any type of cosmetic treatment because it may do more harm than good if you have gum disease or extensive decay and it is not addressed before.

D

TOOTH WHITENING Tooth whitening is one of the most sought after and requested cosmetic treatments and uses a chemical process to whiten the teeth and remove certain types of stains, such as those caused by coffee, tea, sauces, red wine, certain medication, etc. Sometimes it is caused by genetic problems or aging. However, it may not help whiten the teeth evenly if you have internal stains in the enamel. It is usually performed under a dentist’s supervision, which may take 45 minutes to one hour. Home whitening kits are available. This treatment takes 2 to 4 weeks.

BONDED RESTORATIONS Bonded restorations are tooth-colored material used to fill in gaps or change the color of teeth which requires one visit and may last years.

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However, these restorations are susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of restoration. This method is used for chipped, as fillings for small cavities particularly in the front teeth and to close spaces between teeth or cover the outside surface of the tooth to improve the color, shape or alignment. This is a more affordable alternative to ceramics.

CROWNS Crowns (tooth caps) completely cover a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and appearance and are made out of ceramics. The costs are higher compared to other restorations because they are the most time-consuming to make.

They are fabricated in a dental laboratory by a qualified dental technician who puts artistic touches to it to make it look as natural as possible. They may last many years.

VENEERS Veneers are similar to bonded restorations in clinical dentistry except that they are made from thin pieces of porcelain. Nowadays they may be used as an alternative to patients who do not wish to have orthodontic treatment to correct slightly crooked or unevenly spaced teeth.

Once the dental laboratory makes them, they are ready to be cemented onto your teeth. They have more life expectancy and color stability than bonded restorations

ORTHODONTICS This is ideal for aligning crooked teeth, particularly in severe

3. How much time will it take?

4. What type of maintenance will be required?

A thorough discussion with your dentist is extremely important so you can make an informed decision about the treatment that is best for you. It is important to ask about your dentist’s experience and qualifications before starting any type of treatment so that you have no regrets later about whether it is a good idea to change your smile.

cases of crowding where crowns and veneers cannot be done. It is also done to correct overbites or protruded lower jaws.

There are different techniques and must be done only by orthodontists such as Invisalign (invisible braces), conventional orthodontics (fixed braces), Incognito (lingual braces/ braces fixed on the inner surface of the teeth to avoid showing outside). However, it may take months or years to see results and are expensive. The advantage is that teeth are kept in their natural state.

CONTOURING AND RESHAPING Tooth reshaping and contouring, is a procedure to correct minor issues with crooked,chipped, irregularly-shaped or overlapping teeth in a single session.

It can be used to alter the length, shape or position of your teeth or even minor problems with your bite. Sometimes it is combined with other procedures such as bonded restoration to reshape teeth. If you want subtle changes to your smile but otherwise like your tooth shape and color, this procedure might be ideal for you.

For more information: Tel no. +973 17596444 Instagram @saardentalspecialists Visit www.sdentalsc.com

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FASHION

&

GEARS

TECH GEAR

TOP GADGETS & GEARS Sports technology is changing the way you plan, think and train for a healthier lifestyle. Who said you can’t have fun while training? Here are some of the latest tech gears to help you while running, cycling or even playing cricket.

G E A R S PORT With the Gear Sport, Samsung takes smart watches to a level that goes beyond fitness. Besides the regular options of choosing watch faces and personalising it accordingly, substantial Indian R&D has gone into it — the cricket mode on the Samsung Gear Sport records your bowling behaviour and tracks calories burnt.

Design-wise, the Gear sports is snazzy and sleek, with the rotating bezel, the most impressive element. The device is responsive and syncs up efficiently with your existing smartphone via the Gear app. It tracks your activity, sleep and exercise, three critical parameters for health and lifestyle.

G M 808 LE C RIC KE T G LOV E S The GM 808 LE Cricket Gloves s poron XRD technology which is the most impact resistant material in the entire impact sports industry which give these batting gloves their top level protection factor. There is a huge amount of comfort factor as well with these top level professional cricket gloves. Lots of thought has gone into providing great comfort to the batsman with these gloves. They are particularly lightweight, aesthetically gorgeous and have great ventilation.

BAT S E N S E This is a device meant for professional players and aspiring batsmen alike, and one that can be locked onto a bat. The Bat Sense is a little module that can be attached to the top of a cricket bat, blending seamlessly into the grip. The dongle has been designed to lock onto the bat and tested with forces up to 1500G so that it doesn’t fly off the handle. Powered by Intel’s Curie, Bat Sense allows batsmen to measure six essential metrics of their batting performance; Maximum bat speed, bat speed at impact, backlift angle, time to impact, impact angle and follow through an angle. The Bat Sense dongle connects via Bluetooth to any smartphone and transmits the batting data to a dedicated app.

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GS PE AO R ST S

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO PLAY

CRICKET?

Enjoyed by millions across the globe, cricket is one of the most thrilling and popular sports. Are you ready to play cricket? Still wondering what all you need?

Here’s our list of basic gears you need to get started. Check out these essentials and get your cricket mojo going.

BALL Without a ball, there’s no question about playing the game! It is fact that cricket ball quality plays an important role in the game.

There are three types of cricket balls mainly red, white and pink colour leather cricket balls.

BAT The first thing you need to buy is a bat. You would not be a cricketer if you don’t have this important item which you would hit a ball with. Bats come in different sizes, and variable weights. A bat of a particular weight, with which you can play the shots requiring more top hand effort, that does not give you trouble or pain, should be the best.

HELMET CHEST GUARD A chest guard is worn on the right side by a right-hander and on the left by a left-hander, depending on which side of the batsman’s body is more exposed towards the incoming ball. Not all cricketers use this guard as it may cause discomfort due to the padding around the waist.

It is also extremely important to cricketers who already have injuries to the chest, such as sore or broken ribs, side strains or bruising from previous hits.

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This is a vital piece of cricket protective gear for players of all levels – wicket keepers, batsmen and close fielders. Designed to stop serious injury occurring due to being hit on the head by the cricket ball, batsmen sought protection from being hit on the head by short fast pitched bowling. Select the one that fits you the best.

SGPEOARRTSS

GLOVES:

BOX

The common injury apart from the face can be broken fingers. Gloves are designed in such a way that they provide the most protection, in the form of padded areas on each finger. At the same time they are lightweight to not cause any discomfort in holding the bat.

Some gloves have protection, to that of the thumb, on the first two fingers of the bottom hand piece, for extra protection.

Alike the fingers that are more prone to injuries so is it essential for cricketers to wear the box guard. Considering this is the most painful part for a ball to be hit, the box is one of the most important pieces of equipment that a batsman should use. It is available in various shapes and sizes, and is ergonomically designed.

SHOES A batsman can choose their shoe type depending on the wicket they’d be playing and running on. It is known that spike shoes are good for playing on soft grounds, while rubber soles for hard surfaces. Batsmen use a combination of both, with spikes at the front, which provides proper gripping while running between the wickets, and rubber heels for the harder surface of the pitch compared to the field.

PADS The next sensitive part of the body is the shin where a ball striking with force can cause unbearable pain. Traditionally, pads are known to cause trouble while running between the wickets, especially when not fixed properly, however the modern lightweight pads make sure that it isn’t much of a discomfort running while having them on, without compromising on the safety factor. Most pads come with three straps, which make it easier to adjust the grip or position.

ELBOW GUARD An uneven bounce may cause injury to your elbows, which is why elbow guard has been added to the list of protective gears.

It is worn on the bottom hand and is made of a harder material than the padding for the gloves. Not all batsmen have to wear it; it’s entirely down to personal preference.

For some, the elbow guard might cause discomfort in playing a shot.

THIGH PAD Thigh guard is a light weight piece of equipment worn on the outside on the side exposed to the bowler.

This will protect you against balls keeping low and potentially causing injury or bruises, especially when coming at a quick pace. Two straps, one around the waist, and one around the inner thigh, hold the guard in place. It, too, isn’t used as much by batsmen, because of the prospects of nagging caused by it.

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FA S H I O N A N D G E A R S

GET INTO SHAPE WITH SOME OF THE LATEST FASHION SPORTS TRENDS IN 2018. WITH THESE VERSATILE PIECES, WEATHER IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO GET GOING. TAKE YOUR PICK FOR A VERY ACTIVE WORKOUT SESSION.

Fashion forward ladies believe in dressing well everywhere, even when soaked up in sweat.

Trendy Sportswear is a must for the gym or a morning jog and can be just the remaining factor to take the fun to its epitome. At Gina Tricot, fashion makes its way through all scopes, even sports. Trendy ladies get to make fashion statements even in sports

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PHOTO

BY JO

YLAB

Training, running or doing yoga calls for the right pants and leggings. Lululemon leggings and pants come in a variety of lengths and styles to suit everyone, and its sports bras offer the perfect support.

FA S H I O N A N D G E A R S

Train anytime, anywhere.

Meet the Adidas ultimate tights, created to work for you during your HIIT, boxing or weight lifting sessions.

With high compression technology, the ultimate tights will hug your legs while you move free and fast through your circuits.

Offering comfortable leggings in super cute prints, Pins To Kill will brighten up your morning workout. You can even personalize these leggings or even upload your own designs.

Make workout all the more fun and innovative.

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MOBILE APPS

TOP CRICKET APPS Finding the best app to follow the game this season? Are you looking for an app that gives you the stadium experience? Here’s our list of best cricket apps for you, so check them out and don’t miss a thing.

Its Free

ESPNcricinfo Race against a ghost version of yourself and track your progress.

If your biggest competition is yourself, this is the app for you. Ghost Race lets you virtually race against yourself in realtime, similar to the way you can race against ghosts of characters in some old-school video games. It also lets you race against friends and strangers.

CRICBUZZ Cricbuzz Is One Of The Best Cricket Apps For Android. You Get Ball-By-Ball Live Updates, News, Match Facts, Schedules, And Much More In A Light Size App. The app lets you listen to live commentary in English and other regional languages,

and you can see all live scores on a single page. You can also set up match alerts using push notifications. It delivers high-quality content with comprehensive news, scores and commentary and is a leading contender for the best app for getting your cricket news fix.

CricHQ CricHQ is the world’s largest digital platform for cricket. You get to keep score on every cricket match live on this platform and never miss a ball with real-time broadcasting. Keep up to date with all the stats from every game and compare them with friends or the pros! Fans can keep up to date with live scores and video highlights from their devices anywhere in the world, and coaches can make the most informed decisions with real-time scoring statistics, making cricket even better for everyone.

ICC CRICKET App The official ICC app provides coverage across all of the current international action including fixtures, results, videos, ICC news, rankings and more. These are some of the features of the app such as ICC Live Match Centre with live ball-by-ball updates and commentary, fixtures & results for all international cricket, video highlights from all ICC tournaments. You can watch exclusive high-quality video interviews, features and ICC Cricket 360. You won’t miss a thing as you will receive the full ICC event coverage and full ICC Rankings section.

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Its Free CRICKET TRAINING This cricket tutorial app will help you to learn cricket.

You will be quickly trained without the help of a coach by watching the videos. It covers cricket training videos, cricket images, how to play cricket and how to learn cricket. You won’t miss a thing as it gives you cricket live updates, cricket live score and cricket news etc.

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