Announcements

UAE Contingent set to Reclaim Royal Windsor Endurance honours

Published

10 months ago

May 16, 2025

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Some of the UAE’s top endurance athletes have joined forces to form a formidable 31-rider contingent aiming to reclaim top honours at the Royal Windsor Endurance 2025 on Friday, 16 May.

Taking place in Windsor Great Park in the United Kingdom, the FEI-endorsed event features 3*, 2*, and 1* rides, attracting an international field of riders, horses, trainers, grooms, and support teams. The CEI3* ride is the longest and most demanding, covering a 160 km course split into five phases. Meanwhile, the CEI2* and CEI1* events span four-phase 120 km and three-phase 100 km routes, respectively. The endurance challenge forms part of the broader Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Emirati riders have historically excelled at this event, winning six of the eleven editions since its inception in 2013 — more than any other nation. Past champions include His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Defence, who led the UAE to victory in 2014 following Rashed Mohammed Al Baloushi’s triumph in the inaugural event.

Saif Al Mazrouei clinched victory in 2016 when the competition was staged as a CEI2* over 120 km and returns this year aiming to top the podium once more. Fellow Emiratis Saeed Hamoud Al Khayari and Ghanim Said Al Owaisi claimed wins in the 2017 and 2019 editions, respectively, while Fares Ahmad Al Mansoori led a historic clean sweep in 2023, with the UAE winning all three rides.

This year, Al Mazrouei, Al Khayari, and Al Mansoori form part of the UAE contingent seeking to halt the momentum of four-time champions and current title-holders, Bahrain.

Commenting on the occasion, Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Equestrian Club, said:

“It is with great pride that we announce the UAE Team’s participation in Royal Windsor Endurance. Our riders have demonstrated exceptional dedication, resilience, and unity in preparing for this prestigious event. I am confident that our team will represent the country with honour and distinction, embodying the spirit of endurance, excellence, and sportsmanship at every stage of the competition.

Thanks to the continued support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the sport of endurance has made significant strides both locally and internationally. Emirati riders have consistently proven their talent and commitment on the global stage.

This competition is our chance to show what we’ve trained for — to push boundaries, compete with heart, and make our mark with integrity and excellence.”

Set against the scenic backdrop of Windsor Great Park, the event offers a distinctive riding experience, taking competitors past iconic sites such as the Copper Horse, Long Walk, the Philip Jackson equestrian statue of Queen Elizabeth II, and Smith’s Lawn – famed for its elite polo action. Riders navigate a variety of terrain including woodland trails, grassland, water crossings, and paved roads, all while managing light variations through dense tree cover.

Speaking on the UAE’s participation, Ahmed Rashed Al Kaabi, Acting General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club and Chef d’Équipe of the UAE team, said:

“This is a prestigious event on the international endurance calendar, and the UAE has enjoyed great success here. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s 2014 victory remains an inspiration, motivating many to strive for excellence and national pride.

Horses are deeply woven into the fabric of Emirati culture and heritage. Endurance riding has a long-standing tradition in our region, and we are confident in our team’s strength. We look forward to another outstanding performance that will make our country and its visionary leadership proud.”

About Dubai Equestrian Club
Founded in 2002 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai Equestrian Club is a global leader in endurance riding. It organises high-calibre competitions at its world-class facility, Dubai International Endurance City. The Club’s annual calendar features two flagship events: the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival and the Crown Prince of Dubai Endurance Festival.

Related Topics:#dubai #dubaiequestrianclub #equesrtian #riders #sports #UAE

Suhani Singh

As a trainee reporter and creative lead, I focus on curating engaging content and managing the social media presence for the company. I aim to connect audiences with relevant, impactful news through multiple digital platforms.

Announcements

UAE announces early spring break for all educational institutions

Published

1 week ago

March 5, 2026

Team Headline

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The Ministry of Education, along with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, on Wednesday, March 4, announced that the commencement of spring break for all academic institutions has been pushed forward to March 9, with the last working day to be March 6. Normal classes are scheduled to resume from March 30.

The academic calendar placed the spring break dates originally from March 16 and ending on March 29 which has now moved from March 9 to March 22. The change comes in light of the ongoing regional conflict, with the safety of students and staff at schools and universities as the highest priority.

Classes had transitioned to online learning at the beginning of this week as a precautionary measure for all students and staff, which was further extended up to the end of this week. Exams for students have also been shifted to a remote format, allowing them to complete their assessments safely from home.

Students, parents, and staff are advised to stay updated via official channels only, as the measures aim to protect the safety of all in the education sector.

(By Shura Kola)

Announcements

Inside The Plaza at Uptown Dubai: An open-air venue set to transform the city’s business and events scene

Published

3 weeks ago

February 20, 2026

Michael Gomes

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In a city that thrives on bold ambition and global connection, a new landmark has quietly taken its place at the heart of Dubai’s business future.

DMCC has officially opened The Plaza at Uptown Dubai, a 21,000 square metre open-air destination designed to host everything from high-level corporate summits to large-scale concerts and community gatherings.

For UAE residents and business leaders alike, this isn’t just another development announcement. It’s a signal that Uptown Dubai is stepping into a new era.

A new gathering space in town

Strategically positioned at the centre of Uptown Dubai, The Plaza physically connects the iconic Uptown Tower with the district’s wider commercial and residential community.

Designed to accommodate up to 4,000 guests, the venue features advanced staging, lighting and digital display infrastructure, enabling year-round programming and rapid event turnover.

For Dubai’s fast-moving corporate ecosystem, that means seamless hosting of:

Global trade conferences
Finance and technology forums
Industry expos
Cultural performances
Community celebrations

In a city known for world-class event venues, The Plaza adds something different: scale, accessibility and integration within a thriving business district.

For UAE residents, the venue offers more opportunities for networking, collaboration and global visibility without leaving the city.

Next business hub taking shape

The Plaza’s launch comes as Uptown Dubai moves into its next development phase.

Currently under construction:

Two commercial towers (23 and 17 storeys)
62,000 square metres of additional Grade A commercial and retail space

Once complete, the full district will deliver:

538,000 square metres total gross floor area
232,000 square metres dedicated to Grade A commercial office space

What’s in it for residents

For professionals, it means:

More international events are hosted locally
Increased networking and industry exposure
Expanded commercial opportunities

For residents, it offers:

Open-air concerts and cultural events
Community experiences within a premium urban setting
A new social hub integrated into Dubai’s skyline

Announcements

Sheikh Mohammed appoints Abdulla bin Damithan to lead Dubai Ports body as DP World names new CEO

Published

4 weeks ago

February 13, 2026

Michael Gomes

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In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued a decree appointing Abdulla bin Damithan as Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation.

The appointment places one of the UAE’s most experienced trade and logistics leaders at the helm of one of Dubai’s most strategically important economic entities.

A Veteran in Ports and Global Trade

Abdulla bin Damithan brings more than two decades of experience in ports, logistics and international trade. He currently oversees DP World’s operations across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, managing ports, economic zones, marine services and trade solutions.

He previously served as CEO and Managing Director of DP World UAE, where he led strategic growth across key regional markets. He oversees Jebel Ali Port and Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza).

Bin Damithan joined DP World in 2001 and has since held several senior leadership roles, contributing to the company’s transformation into a global provider of smart trade and logistics solutions.

New Leadership Appointments at DP World

Separately, DP World confirmed the appointment of Essa Kazim as Chairman of its Board of Directors, alongside the appointment of Yuvraj Narayan as Group CEO.

Kazim currently serves as Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Chairman of Borse Dubai. He brings extensive expertise in financial and economic affairs, having held senior leadership positions across several national institutions.

Narayan, who joined DP World in 2004, has played a key role in leading strategic and transformational initiatives that strengthened the company’s global footprint.

Serving as Group Chief Financial Officer since 2005, Narayan has been instrumental in enhancing DP World’s financial resilience, operational efficiency and supply chain capabilities worldwide.