Sports

Cream of chess world descends in Dubai for GCL

Published

2 years ago

June 21, 2023

The inaugural edition of Global Chess League will be held in Dubai from June 22 to July 2, featuring the world’s strongest players, including world champions (active and former) in all three chess categories – classical, rapid and blitz. A global hub, the Emirate will be at the centre of the chess world for two weeks.

This is the second most important chess event held in Dubai, following the match for the title of World Chess Champion in 2021. This unparalleled gathering will showcase 36 top-ranked players categorized as Chess Icons, Superstars, and Prodigies (those born in 2002 and later), vying for the ultimate glory.

Anand Mahindra , chairman of Tech Mahindra, third from left, addresses the media. Supplied

The cream of the crop:

The very best in the chess world today will take part in this event as members of six different teams. Leading them will be the former world champion in classical chess, and reigning world champion in rapid and blitz, Magnus Carlsen.

Joining Carlsen in the pool of players tipped as ‘Chess Icons’, are – fellow former world champion, Viswanathan Anand, two-time challenger for the title of World Champion Ian Nepomniachtchi, former Blitz world champion Levon Aronian and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, as well the 2021 winner of the chess World Cup Jan-Krzysztof Duda.

The pool of Superstars includes Nodirbek Abdusattorov (2021 world rapid champion), Alexander Grischuk (three-time world blitz champion) and Daniil Dubov (2018 world rapid champion), as well as a score of top-Indian players such as Vidit Gujrathi, Arjun Erigaisi and Gukesh D.

The world’s leading women players are also taking part, including Grandmaster Alexandra Kosteniuk (who held titles of world champion in classical and rapid chess), Kateryna Lagno (two times world blitz champion and once a world rapid champion), and world-leading players Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli. The event in Dubai will also feature a surprising return to the board of Hou Yifan, a four-time world champion who has in recent years dedicated herself to a career in academia.

The teams:

The Global Chess League, the first global chess franchise of its kind, brings together distinguished sports entrepreneurs as franchise owners. Leading global and Indian companies such as U SPORTS, Insurekot Sports (ISPL), Punit Balan Group, Triveni Group (Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd. and Triveni Turbine Ltd.), Chingari App, and APL Apollo-led SG Sports all own one team each taking part in the competition.

The event will feature six teams, made up of six players. Each team will consist of one Icon player, two male players, two female players and one prodigy player (those born in 2002 and later).

The teams are:

Ganges Grandmasters {owned by Insurekot Sports (ISPL)}
Triveni Continental Kings {owned by Triveni Group (Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd. and Triveni Turbine Ltd.)}
SG Alpine Warriors (owned by APL Apollo-led SG Sports)
Chingari Gulf Titans {owned by Chingari App (Tech4Billion Group)}
upGrad Mumba Masters (owned by U SPORTS)
Balan Alaskan Knights (owned by Punit Balan Group (PBG)

Staff Reporter

Sports

UAE eyes Olympic future with World Boxing membership

Published

18 hours ago

March 18, 2025

Michael Gomes

The UAE Boxing Federation is taking a major step onto the global stage, officially applying for World Boxing membership after receiving approval from the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports.

The decision comes hot on the heels of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Executive Board proposal on Monday to include boxing in the Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Olympic Games program. The final decision will be made during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, from March 19-21, 2025.

This development follows World Boxing’s provisional recognition by the IOC in February, officially positioning the organisation as the new global governing body for the sport. It replaces the International Boxing Association (IBA), which has been banned by the IOC since 2019 due to governance and financial issues.

UAE Boxing Federation Secretary-General Hassan Al Hammadi confirmed that the country was among the first Arab and Asian nations to back the newly established World Boxing, following necessary approvals from the country’s sports authorities.

“We have obtained official approvals, and our membership application will be submitted before the end of the week as we prepare to join World Boxing,” Al Hammadi stated.

“Our goal is to ensure UAE athletes can compete at the highest level, including the Olympic Games, while meeting the required rankings and standards. Every athlete dreams of representing their country with pride, and we are committed to making that a reality,” he added.

Founded on April 13, 2023, World Boxing currently boasts 78 member federations and was created to restore credibility and integrity to the sport. With the IBA’s expulsion from the IOC, boxing at the Paris 2024 Olympics is being overseen directly by the IOC, ensuring fair competition and governance.

(Source: Wam)

News

DP World ILT20 to sponsor Ramadan cricket tournament in Dubai

Published

4 days ago

March 15, 2025

Staff Reporter

Staying true to their commitment to develop and support UAE cricket, particularly at the grassroots, DP World ILT20 will sponsor the Ramadan cricket tournament to be held at the ICC Academy Oval 1 and 2 in Dubai from 13 March to 3 April 2025.

The 22-day tournament will feature 10 domestic teams including the Dubai Cricket Council Starlets, Karwan Cricket Club, Emirates Fly Better, Seven District, Prospero Properties, Dubai Dare Devils, Consolidate Shipping Service, Z Games, Lexington Shot Guns, and GHK Properties, with over 200 players vying for the top prize. Each team will play nine single round-robin league games followed by semi-finals and the final. The tournament will be live streamed on both YouTube and Facebook.

Speaking about lending their support for the event David White, CEO of DP World ILT20 said, “It is DP World ILT20’s endeavour to support and nurture local talent in UAE. With 220 players turning up for the Ramadan cricket tournament, it’s a great opportunity to see and encourage emerging talent. We stay true to our commitment of developing cricket at the grassroots and I wish all the players the very best.”

The DP World ILT20 season 3 recently concluded with Dubai Capitals emerging as the new champions. While the league has been a global success, the DP World ILT20 amongst its many initiatives, continues to support domestic cricket at the grassroots level to help in the growth and development of the emerging local talent.

Sports

Dubai to host 3,000 world-class athletes from 40 nations for biggest aquatics championship

Published

6 days ago

March 13, 2025

Michael Gomes

Dubai is gearing up to host its biggest Dubai International Aquatics Championships (DIAC) yet, with 3,000 athletes from 40 countries set to compete. The event will bring together top swimmers, divers, and water sports athletes for a series of high-level competitions.

Organisers are expecting strong performances and a dynamic atmosphere, further cementing Dubai’s reputation as a key destination for international sporting events.

Held at the iconic Hamdan Sports Complex from March 21 to April 20, 2025, this month-long aquatic extravaganza will feature five adrenaline-pumping water sports, drawing some of the fiercest competitors on the planet.

From high-flying dives to electrifying swimming showdowns, fans are in for a thrill-fest like no other. Here’s what’s making waves on the schedule:

Diving (March 21-23) – Expect gravity-defying stunts as the world’s best divers fight for gold!
Water Polo (April 5) – A brutal battle in the pool where only the toughest teams will survive.
Open Water Swimming (April 5-6) – A true test of endurance in the ultimate long-distance aquatic war.
Synchronised Swimming (April 12-13) – Grace meets grit as teams deliver flawless, jaw-dropping routines.
Swimming (April 18-20) – The grand finale! Speed demons will leave it all in the water in a blistering race to the finish.

Organised in collaboration with the UAE Swimming Federation and top local academies, this championship is set to be an unmissable spectacle for fans of all things fast, fierce, and aquatic.

(Source: Wam)