Defending champions New York Strikers have kicked off their Abu Dhabi T10 campaign with high-intensity training sessions, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to retaining the coveted trophy. The team’s preparation began with a core group of players taking to the field, with more stars set to join in the coming days.

The Strikers’ coaching duo of Head Coach Carl Crowe and Assistant Coach Albie Morkel expressed confidence in their reinforced squad, which combines returning champions with exciting new additions. The team’s strengthened bowling lineup, featuring international stars like Reece Topley and Mohammad Amir, alongside a powerful batting order, positions them as strong contenders for back-to-back titles.

Speaking about the first training session and the squad composition, Head Coach Carl Crowe said, “We’ve got some guys who have been here the last couple of years, so it’s nice to keep the core of the group together. We’ve made some exciting new additions as well. A lot of our players have been performing excellently around the world – Evin Lewis was very well for the West Indies, and Reece Topley is a fantastic bowler. We’re really pleased with the additions while maintaining what worked well for us last year.”

Assistant Coach Albie Morkel, overseeing the bowling department, added, “We’ve got a fantastic bowling lineup, and I’m very excited to see if we can fit all those guys in the same team. With Mohammad Amir and Reece Topley now joining our spinning attack, we’ve got a serious attack. Despite the pressure of being defending champions, with the personnel we have in the squad, there’s no reason why we can’t put up a good show again.”

West Indies legend Kieron Pollard another important member of the New York Strikers squad also joined in emphasizing on the importance of team attitude and smart cricket, he shared, “We want to play an exciting brand of cricket. I especially want to see unity in the field – that’s where you see the true testament of a team. If we can maintain high energy and excitement for those 45 minutes, coupled with smart cricket, that will help us achieve our goals.”

The initial training session focused on individual player requirements, allowing new arrivals to acclimate and shake off jet lag. The coaching staff plans to intensify specific skill-based training in subsequent sessions for all members of the New York Strikers squad.

The New York Strikers begin their title defense in two days, carrying the weight of expectation but armed with a formidable combination of experience and fresh talent.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has approved the five-year plan for internal roads (2025-2029). The plan encompasses 21 projects spreading across 12 residential, commercial, and industrial areas, with a total of 634 km of new roads costing Dh 3.7 billion. This plan reflects His Highness’s keenness to uplift the infrastructure in residential and industrial areas, aligning with Dubai’s population growth and urban expansion, and fostering the well-being and happiness of residents.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, Roads and Transport Authority, stated, “The Five-Year Internal Roads Development Plan covers 12 areas with urbanisation rates ranging from 30% to 80%. In 2025, internal roads will be constructed in Nad El Sheba 3 and Al Amardi, serving Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment project, which includes 482 housing units. Additional internal roads will be developed in Hatta, also serving a Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment project with 100 housing units. In 2026, RTA will construct 92 km of internal roads in Nadd Hessa, and Al Awir 1. The year 2027 will see the development of 45 km of roads in Al Athbah, Mushrif, and Hatta, along with 14 km of roads in Warsan 3 (Industrial Area).

“In 2028, one of the longest internal road projects, extending over 284 km, will be constructed across three communities: Al Awir 1, Wadi Al Amardi, and Hind 3. This includes 221 km of roads in Al Awir 1, 22 km of roads in Wadi Al Amardi, and 41 km of roads in Hind 3. The project construction momentum will continue in 2029, with 200 km of internal roads to be constructed in Hind 4 and Al Yalayis 5, comprising 39 km in Hind 4 and 161 km in Al Yalayis 5,” explained Al Tayer.
Al Tayer further added, “RTA is committed to ensuring smooth and safe access for residents and visitors to their respective areas. By the end of last year, the total length of roads completed in residential and industrial areas reached 6000 km. Between 2011 and the end of last year, internal roads in 28 residential and industrial areas had been paved. In 2023 and 2024, RTA constructed internal roads totalling 83 km in 17 areas, completing road projects in Al Warqa 4, Al Qusais Industrial, Margham, Lehbab, Al Lisaili, and Hatta (Suhaila, Saeir, and Al Salami). Road works are ongoing in Jebel Ali Industrial, Nazwa, the Tolerance District in Al Khawaneej 2, Al Warqa, Nad Al Sheba 1, and Al Awir.”

The 2024/25 Dubai Endurance Season got underway at Dubai International Endurance City with a healthy dose of excitement as MRM Stables became the first unit to strike when claiming the campaignopening Seeh Al Salam Endurance Challenge by a mere second courtesy of star rider Saif Ahmed Al Mazrouei, who delivered aboard Magic Glenn Torque. 

Organised by Dubai Equestrian Club, the 119km four loop ride witnessed stiff competition from all the major stables involved in endurance riding in the UAE, with a total of 119 rider-horse pairings venturing into the sands of the Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve. 

And it was Al Mazrouei and his 13yearold companion who won with a consistent approach that witnessed them stay close to the top of an evolving leaderboard. The pair posted a time of four hours, 12 minutes and 16 seconds (4:12:16), which was a mere second quicker than the 4:12:17 recorded by F3-1 Stables pair of Hamad Humaid Al Tamimi and 765 Sargon, even as third placed F3 Stables pair of Rashed Mohammed 

Al Mehairi and A’Bandom’s Rockabilly cantered in third a further 26 seconds behind in 4:12:43.  Al Mazrouei started the day in seventh, 20 seconds off the pace set by Al Tamimi, who was quickest over the 40-km first loop, but was dethroned from the summit during the course of the 32km second loop by his MRM teammate Mansour Al Faresi, riding Tatarinu, the latter erasing a massive 2min21sec deficit and climbing into top spot from 25th. Al Faresi seemed to have control going into the 20km final loop after holding on to the summit at the end of the third spanning 27km. However, with plenty of reserve left in Magic Glenn Torque’s tank, Al Mazrouei, third at the end of the penultimate loop, was able to rev up his mount significantly and went from 26.99kph over the third to 34.4kph over the fourth, which guaranteed him success despite a hard push from Al Tamimi, who made his bid for success from fourth. Al Mehairi finished a comfortable third. 

Meanwhile, Zabeel 2 Stables clinched victory in the Al Wasl Endurance Cup for Private Stables after Ebrahim Fayed Al Shamsi’s nervewracking success in the 101km contest aboard Bobang Al Andalus. The pair completed the four loop ride in a time of 3:30:46, denying Al Ain Endurance Stables’, represented by Uruguayan Federico Ferber and his mount HC Nael, by fractions of a second. Zabeel 3’s Saeed Ghanim Al Marri took third aboard Woodbourne Wednesday. Board Member and General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, Major General Dr. Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, presented the winners with their trophies. “It was a very good effort from all of the stables to have their horses and riders ready for a very exciting finish on the opening day of the season,” commented Dr Al Adhab. 

“We have a long season ahead of us, but that finish to the first ride shows, it is going to be a very exciting season and we wish all of those involved all the very best for what lies ahead.” 

The season at Dubai International Endurance City includes a series of top rides with its worldrenowned HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival and the Crown Prince of Dubai Endurance Festival, the two showpiece events on its calendar.