Connect with us

News

Grab tickets for NBA’s debut in UAE at Abu Dhabi Etihad Arena

Published

on

NBA tickets Abu Dhabi

The UAE is breaking another glass ceiling in the world of Sports as the country extends its outreach to get the world’s most popular disciplines headed to these shores. The NBA will makes its debut not just in the UAE, but in the Arabian Gulf, even if it is for two games this October.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the 2021 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks will be taking on the Atlanta Hawks in two pre-season games on October 6 and October 8.
Basketball is a popular sport and the only source of joy for the large expatriate Filipino community just like cricket is for those from the subcontinent. That is why Manny Pacquaio is aiming to bring his Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League to the UAE next year for a league of its own in the emirates. The eight-time boxing champion is a regular visitor to Dubai and has played in exhibition games before too.

The Bucks are currently battling the Celtics in the NBA post-season, with two-time the NBA MVP flanked by three-time NBA All-Star Khris Middleton and three-time NBA All-Defensive team member Jrue Holiday.
The Bucks previously met the Hawks in the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, with the Hawks led by two-time NBA All-Star Trae Young and 2020-21 NBA rebounding leader Clint Capella, along with John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic, with the Bucks prevailing to win their first NBA championship in 50 years.
“We are honoured to have been selected to participate in the NBA’s first games in the UAE. As the NBA continues to expand globally, we look forward to visiting Abu Dhabi and furthering the league’s goals of inspiring people through basketball. We will be proud to represent our city, our state and Bucks fans worldwide this October,” Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum President Peter Feigin.
The partnership also sees DCT Abu Dhabi, under “Visit Abu Dhabi,” the tourism promotion initiative of the UAE’s capital city, serve as the Official Tourism Destination Partner of the NBA in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and China.

NBA in Abu Dhabi

Two pre-season NBA Games will be held at the Etihad Arena

More than 220 male and female prospects from the Middle East – including five players from the UAE – have participated in Basketball Without Borders or NBA Academy, the league’s elite development programs for top prospects from outside the U.S.

Since 2019, more than 500 boys and girls have also participated in the NBA Basketball School Dubai (UAE), a year-round, tuition-based development programme for boys and girls ages 6-18.

Want to get tickets first? Here’s how.

Head to the official website
Click ‘Register Now’
Wait for an email announcing the ticket presale
Grab those tickets!

“We are thrilled to be hosting the first NBA games in Abu Dhabi, the first to be hosted in the UAE and the Arabian Gulf, and look forward to welcoming the Atlanta Hawks, the Milwaukee Bucks and basketball fans from across the world to discover this incredible city and experience our authentic Emirati culture for themselves,” said DCT Abu Dhabi Director General Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry.

“Basketball has the ability to unite communities, and the spirit of the game will be felt by players and visitors, both on and off the court. The unveiling of the NBA teams marks an important milestone in our wider partnership with this world-class sports organisation.”

Health

UAE: Doctors get special traffic privileges for emergency calls

Published

on

Doctors in the UAE who respond to life-threatening emergencies can now bypass certain traffic rules, thanks to a unique service called the ‘Bin Wariqa Service’.

The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Interior, allows approved doctors to use their own cars to reach hospitals quickly during urgent medical calls. It’s designed to help save lives by cutting down emergency response times.

What is the Bin Wariqa Service?

The service was introduced in July 2020 under the direction of Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. It gives registered doctors special road privileges, including:

  • Driving up to 40 km/h over the speed limit
  • Using the hard shoulder
  • Getting live support from traffic patrols

The idea is to ensure doctors can reach patients faster, even during heavy traffic.

Who can use it?

To qualify, doctors must:

  • Belong to one of 13 approved critical medical specialities
  • Be licensed
  • Get Ministry approval
  • Complete emergency driving training

How does it work?

When a doctor gets an emergency call:

  1. They activate the service on the Ministry’s smart app (moiuae).
  2. Their trip is tracked by the operations room, which helps guide them through traffic.
  3. A green triangle device called a “lawah” is placed on their car to alert other drivers that it’s an emergency.

Keeping roads safe

The service is carefully monitored under Ministerial Resolution No. 248 of 2020. It ensures that doctors use special routes like road shoulders and bus lanes safely and only when needed. Live coordination with traffic teams ensures safety for everyone on the road.

Strong support from the medical community

So far, 97 per cent of eligible doctors have registered for the service, and it’s already helping reduce response times by up to 30 per cent.

A nod to medical heritage

The service is named after Saeed bin Wariqa Al Amri, a historic figure known for his work in traditional medicine and his service to the UAE’s founding leaders. It’s a modern tribute to the country’s deep respect for medical professionals.

Continue Reading

Health

Abu Dhabi opens new centre to treat thalassaemia and sickle cell patients

Published

on

A new centre has opened in Abu Dhabi to care for people living with thalassaemia and sickle cell disease. The Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Centre was launched by Burjeel Holdings at Burjeel Medical City.

The centre is designed to give complete, long-term care to people with thalassaemia and sickle cell disease. It has:

  • Outpatient clinics
  • A blood transfusion unit open 7 days a week
  • Advanced tests to check iron levels in the heart and liver
  • Genetic testing is done on-site

Patients are treated by doctors with many years of experience in both adult and children’s care. The centre also connects to other Burjeel hospitals across the UAE, making it easier for more people to access treatment.

Prof. Khaled Musallam, Director of the Centre, said: “Our goal is to make this a top centre in the region for treating rare blood diseases. We’re not just treating symptoms, we want to improve our patients’ lives through personalised and advanced care.”

The centre will also work with a nearby research centre to help patients join international clinical trials. This gives them access to new treatments, including possible cures.

The opening took place under the patronage of Sheikha Shaikha bint Saif bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Emirates Thalassemia Society and wife of Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. Several guests, including Sheikh Khalifa bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and leaders from Burjeel and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, attended the ceremony.

Continue Reading

News

Dubai’s RTA uses drones to clean metro and tram stations

Published

on

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started using drones to clean the outside of metro and tram stations. This new idea, launched with Keolis MHI, the company that runs and maintains the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram, is part of RTA’s efforts to use smart and sustainable technology.

This is a big change from the usual way of cleaning station facades, which often needs up to 15 workers per station. The drone method needs only 8 people, cutting manpower by more than half and reducing the risks that come with working at heights or in hard-to-reach areas.

Mohammed Al Ameeri, Director of Maintenance at RTA’s Rail Agency, said: “This project shows our commitment to trying new technologies that keep workers safe, use fewer resources, and help protect the environment. Using drones for cleaning is a smart way to maintain our stations and support Dubai’s sustainability goals.”

He also explained that drones use less water and reduce the need for workers to be in risky spots. “Working with Keolis MHI on this trial brings new opportunities. As we improve these automated tools, we can keep making our transport systems safer and greener,” he added.

The drone trial is already giving useful insights. While traditional cleaning still offers better results in some areas, drones are showing great potential. RTA and Keolis MHI are now looking into combining both methods to get the best results, more efficient, safe, and eco-friendly.

Vikas Sardana, Chief Operating Officer at Keolis MHI, said: “We’re proud to support RTA’s goals and Dubai’s vision for a smart and green city. This drone project is a step forward in making public transport safer, smarter, and more sustainable.”

He added: “The trial also supports Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Smart Dubai initiative. It’s part of our mission to bring smart technology to city services and help shape the future of urban transport.”

Continue Reading

Popular

© Copyright 2025 HEADLINE. All rights reserved

https://headline.ae/