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Adani Sportsline’s Gulf Giants unveil power-packed coaching staff ahead of UAE ILT20 Season 4 Auction

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With the highly anticipated fourth season of the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) approaching, Adani Sportsline-owned Gulf Giants have unveiled a star-studded coaching team ahead of the league’s first-ever auction. The revamped setup signals the franchise’s renewed push for silverware.

Jonathan Trott to lead as Head Coach

Former England batting star Jonathan Trott has been appointed Head Coach, bringing with him a reputation as one of England’s most technically accomplished cricketers and an impressive coaching track record.

Since transitioning from international cricket, Trott has guided Afghanistan to a historic ICC T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final and an inspired run at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. As a player, he scored 3,835 runs in 52 Tests and 2,819 runs in 68 ODIs at an average of 51, with four centuries and 22 fifties.

“The Gulf Giants have quickly become one of the ILT20’s most successful teams. My goal is to empower players to excel and shape a championship-winning squad through the first-ever ILT20 Auction,” Trott said.

Shane Bond joins as Bowling Coach

Joining Trott is New Zealand’s pace legend Shane Bond, who takes charge as Bowling Coach. A veteran of 120 internationals with 259 wickets, Bond has carved out a successful decade-long coaching career, working with the New Zealand national side and several global T20 franchises, including the IPL and UAE ILT20.

“The team’s ambition is clear. I’m excited to sharpen our bowling attack and make a decisive impact this season,” Bond said.

Specialist coaches to complete the lineup

The Giants have also secured some of the finest specialist coaches:

  • Andrew Puttick (Batting Coach) – South African batting stalwart with nearly 17,000 first-class runs, and prior coaching stints with Afghanistan, South Africa and Pakistan.
  • Jamie Troughton (Fielding Coach) – Former England international, bringing expertise in raising standards in the field.
  • Nick Lee (Strength & Conditioning Coach) – A seasoned fitness professional with experience at Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, returning to reunite with Trott.

Building on success stories

The Gulf Giants’ refreshed coaching team reflects Adani Sportsline’s focus on nurturing talent and creating a growth-driven environment. The franchise has already produced notable success stories, including young UAE all-rounder Aayan Khan and Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani.

Andrew Puttick said: “It’s an honour to work in a setup that values player development. I’m eager to contribute to our collective success.”

Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer, Adani Sportsline, added: “We are thrilled to welcome this exceptional group of cricketing minds. Their experience and shared values will be pivotal in taking the Gulf Giants to new heights.”

Gulf Giants Squad for ILT20 Season 4

Retained – Aayan Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince, Mark Adair
New Signings – Azmatullah Omarzai, Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz


With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

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Need a domestic worker? The UAE just made getting a visa way easier

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Employers in the UAE can now handle all domestic worker visa services through a single unified digital platform, eliminating the need to navigate multiple government agencies for routine procedures.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has centralised visa applications, renewals, cancellations, and mandatory medical tests on the Work in UAE portal (workinuae.ae), representing a major simplification of domestic worker regulations.

What the platform offers

The digital portal consolidates services previously scattered across different government entities, allowing employers to manage the complete visa lifecycle from one location:

Visa services:

  • New visa applications for domestic workers
  • Visa renewals and extensions
  • Visa cancellations and transfers
  • Status tracking and updates

Medical requirements:

  • Required medical test bookings
  • Health screening coordination
  • Medical certificate processing
  • Test result retrieval

Administrative functions:

  • Document submission and verification
  • Fee payments
  • Application status monitoring
  • Digital record management

The multi-agency challenge solved

Previously, employers navigated a complex system requiring interactions with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), Emirates Health Services, Abu Dhabi Department of Health and various typing centres and service providers

Each agency maintained separate systems, requiring multiple visits, redundant documentation, and lengthy processing times.

The new platform integrates these services through backend collaboration among all participating entities, presenting employers with a single interface.

The domestic worker visa platform is part of MoHRE’s Work Bundle initiative, which aims to streamline labour services across the UAE’s employment ecosystem.

Why domestic worker regulations matter

Domestic workers represent a significant segment of the UAE’s labour market, with hundreds of thousands employed across the country in roles including housekeepers, nannies, cooks, drivers, and caregivers.

Simplifying the administrative framework for this sector serves multiple objectives:

For employers: Reduced time spent on bureaucratic processes, clearer procedures, lower administrative costs, and faster processing times.

For workers: Greater transparency in employment status, improved documentation of legal rights, clearer pathways for status changes, and reduced dependency on intermediaries.

For the system: Better compliance tracking, reduced fraud opportunities, improved data collection, and more efficient resource allocation.

How employers benefit

The centralised platform eliminates common pain points in domestic worker visa management:

Time savings: No need to visit multiple agencies or government offices for different steps in the visa process.

Simplified procedures: Single login provides access to all required services rather than maintaining accounts across multiple platforms.

Reduced costs: Elimination of typing centre fees and reduced transportation costs from multiple agency visits.

Faster processing: Backend integration among agencies speeds approval workflows and reduces waiting periods.

24/7 access: Digital platform allows employers to initiate and track processes at any time rather than being constrained by office hours.

Document storage: Digital records eliminate paper documentation and provide easy retrieval of historical information.

Implementation and access

Employers can access the platform immediately through workinuae.ae using their existing UAE Pass credentials or by creating new accounts.

The platform provides step-by-step guidance for each process, with support available through MoHRE’s customer service channels for employers requiring assistance.

All new visa applications, renewals, and cancellations for domestic workers should now be processed through the unified platform rather than through legacy channels.

What hasn’t changed

While the platform simplifies administration, core requirements for domestic worker employment remain in effect:

  • Employer eligibility criteria
  • Worker qualification standards
  • Mandatory medical examinations
  • Contract registration requirements
  • Minimum wage and benefit obligations
  • Insurance requirements

The platform streamlines how these requirements are met but doesn’t alter the fundamental regulatory framework.

Looking ahead

The successful consolidation of domestic worker visa services may serve as a model for further service integration across other employment categories and government functions.

MoHRE’s Work Bundle initiative is expected to expand with additional features and service categories as the digital infrastructure matures and user feedback is incorporated.

Platform Details:

Website: workinuae.ae
Access: UAE Pass or platform registration
Services: Visa applications, renewals, cancellations, and medical tests
Availability: 24/7 online access

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UAE : Why 20 per cent of Abu Dhabi land has been designated as nature reserves

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In a bold move for conservation, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has decreed that 20 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s land must now be protected as nature reserves. The directive will create new conservation zones and expand existing ones, reinforcing the UAE’s environmental leadership.

What will change
The expansion will add 4,581 square kilometres to Abu Dhabi’s protected areas under the Zayed Protected Areas Network, which already includes several terrestrial and marine reserves. New designated zones include Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve, Liwa Groundwater Reservoir, Ghaf Natural Reserve, and expansions to Qasr Al Sarab and Ras Ghanada Marine Reserve.

Why it matters
This is more than just land allocation; it’s about protecting biodiversity, preserving ecosystems, and ensuring sustainable development for future generations. Officials say it aligns with the UAE’s National Biodiversity Strategy 2031 and global goals, such as the “30 by 30” initiative.

Continuing momentum from Conservation Congress
The announcement follows the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, held in Abu Dhabi, where global conservation goals were set and leadership reaffirmed. IUCN World Conservation Congress. The expanded reserves will be managed by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), which views this as a means to strengthen its role in regional environmental governance.

What’s next
Expect to see new programmes in wildlife protection, habitat restoration, and collaborative projects with international partners. Early signs of bilateral environmental MoUs, such as with Japan for bird conservation, are already being put in motion.

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UAE introduces ‘Eye’: An AI system to approve work permits with minimal human input

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The UAE is taking another big leap into the future. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has unveiled an AI system called “Eye”, designed to issue work permits almost automatically. The announcement was made during GITEX Global 2025, in line with the country’s push toward digitising government services.

How it works
‘Eye’ uses artificial intelligence to verify key documents, personal photos, passports, and academic credentials, reducing human intervention to only exceptional cases. The aim is to speed up approvals, reduce errors, and cut bureaucratic red tape.

Why it matters
For employers and applicants, this means faster hiring cycles and less waiting. The move strengthens the UAE’s reputation as a digital-forward government and could make the labour market even more competitive and attractive. 

Voices from inside
Rashid Hassan Al Saadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Market Services at MoHRE, called ‘Eye’ a key step in enhancing the ministry’s services, aligning them with national directives and raising public expectations of government efficiency. 

This rollout accompanies other digital initiatives from MoHRE, including Work Bundle, Ask Data, and Smart Safety Tracker, all aimed at streamlining labour and permit procedures nationwide. 

What to watch next
Will ‘Eye’ really eliminate bottlenecks? Will companies see cost savings? And how will appeal or exception cases be handled? These are the questions many will be watching as the system is rolled out across the UAE.

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