Sports

Franchises for Global Chess League get in position

Published

2 years ago

June 5, 2023

The Global Chess League (GCL), a joint venture between Tech Mahindra and FIDE, has confirmed the line-up of its six franchises and remaining key players for the inaugural edition, which will run from June 21 to July 2. The league will next hold a players’ draft, where franchise owners will select players for their respective teams.

The GCL aims to redefine the world of chess by bringing together the brightest stars in the game, including Viswanathan Anand, Ding Liren, Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Hou Yifan, Kateryna Lagno and others, alongside distinguished franchise owners.

U SPORTS, Insurekot Sports (ISPL), Punit Balan Group, Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd, Chingari App, and APL Apollo-led SG Sports are the franchises committed to propelling the chess revolution forward. The league will make its first bow at the Dubai Chess and Culture Club with the support of Dubai Sports Council.

Jagdish Mitra, Chairperson of the Global Chess League Board said, “With a cutting-edge broadcast reaching 600 million viewers in 160 countries, GCL will captivate new fans worldwide. We are delighted to have found the right partners to establish GCL’s strong presence across continents and look forward to creating a lasting legacy.”

U SPORTS, led by Ronnie Screwvala, renowned for its sporting successes in sports like Kabaddi, Table Tennis, and eSports in India, will make its international debut with the upGrad Mumba Masters team in the GCL.
Ganges Grandmasters are led by Insurekot Sports (ISPL), an entity owned by Suresh Kotak. It also owns the Pro Kabaddi League team & Ultimate Table Tennis League team, Puneri Paltan.
The Punit Balan Group will own the team Balan Alaskan Knights. The PBG has invested heavily across various sports leagues in India over the last two years.
Triveni Engineering & Industries Limited, one of the largest integrated sugar manufacturers in India and a leading player in engineering businesses around power transmission and Water & Wastewater treatment solutions, make their sports debut with Triveni Continental Kings.
Tech4Billion Group, the world’s fastest-growing social networking app Chingari, will make a bow in the sports business with Chingari Gulf Titans.
Rounding up the tally is APL Apollo-led SG Sports, one of India’s largest and most trusted building material company, who have named their team SG Alpine Warriors.

The annual GCL tournament will introduce a unique mixed-team format, wherein each of the six franchises will engage in a total of 10 matches played in a double round-robin style. In this exciting setup, the winner of each match will be determined through a best-of-six board scoring system, played simultaneously. The top two teams will proceed to the final, where the ultimate honour of being crowned the World Champion Franchise Team awaits.

Staff Reporter

Real estate

Chelsea FC teams up with Dubai property company to launch football-themed residences

Published

1 day ago

May 1, 2025

Michael Gomes

Chelsea Football Club has announced an exciting new partnership with DAMAC Properties, bringing the iconic football brand to Dubai’s real estate scene.

The partnership will lead to the creation of Chelsea Residences by DAMAC, a first-of-its-kind, football-themed residential project in Dubai Maritime City, the city’s newest beachfront location.

A Football-Inspired Seafront Lifestyle

The upcoming Chelsea Residences will feature over 1,400 seafront units, each offering stunning views and access to Chelsea-branded amenities focused on health, fitness, and high-performance living.

From concierge services to training-style spaces inspired by elite sports facilities, every corner of the development will reflect the spirit and style of Chelsea FC.

DAMAC on Chelsea Team Shirts

As part of the partnership, DAMAC’s logo will appear on Chelsea’s match shirts for the rest of the season. The branding will make its debut on Thursday during the UEFA Conference League semi-final against Djurgarden.

Leaders React

AmiraSajwani, Managing Director of Sales & Development at DAMAC Properties, said: “This isn’t just about real estate, it’s about creating a unique lifestyle that reflects Chelsea’s legacy and relentless pursuit of excellence.”

Jason Gannon, President and COO of Chelsea FC, added: “We’re thrilled to bring Chelsea to life in Dubai through this innovative project with DAMAC. It’s a major step in expanding our global presence.”

Sports

Abu Dhabi set to host world’s largest indoor fitness race

Published

1 week ago

April 25, 2025

Michael Gomes

Abu Dhabi is set to host HYROX, the globe’s largest indoor fitness race, on July 19, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The event, a part of the Abu Dhabi Summer Sports (ADSS), will bring athletes and fitness enthusiasts together for a thrilling competition.

Organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in partnership with HYROX, this event marks a major milestone for Project 206, the initiative driving HYROX’s expansion across the Middle East. As the race’s popularity continues to grow worldwide, Abu Dhabi will now have the privilege of hosting one of the most anticipated fitness challenges.

A Race for Every Athlete

HYROX is a comprehensive test of strength, endurance, and mental grit. The race consists of eight 1-km runs, each followed by a different functional workout, creating a dynamic and standardised format that challenges participants to push their limits.

Competing in Multiple Divisions

The race format includes a variety of divisions to cater to everyone:

Individual Categories: Compete in male and female divisions, with each runner battling through both the running segments and the functional exercises.
Pairs: Athletes can join forces with a partner, with categories for male, female, and mixed pairs.
Pro Division: For those seeking an elite challenge, the Pro division offers a more intense experience for advanced athletes.
Relay Division: Teams of four can join the competition in this collaborative format, testing both individual and collective strength.

The event will also feature an Adaptive Division, allowing athletes with physical disabilities to compete, showcasing the event’s commitment to accessibility for all.

A Global Phenomenon Comes to Abu Dhabi

HYROX is one of the fastest-growing fitness races worldwide, drawing participants from around the globe. By expanding into the Middle East, the event adds a unique flavour to the already diverse sporting scene in Abu Dhabi. Whether you’re racing or cheering from the sidelines, HYROX Abu Dhabi promises to be a celebration of athleticism.

Register Now

Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this fitness extravaganza. Registration for HYROX Abu Dhabi opens soon. For more details, go to www.hyrox.com/event/hyrox-abu-dhabi.

(Source: Wam)

Sports

UAE renames Olympic Committee in line with global standards

Published

1 week ago

April 23, 2025

Michael Gomes

In a recent board meeting chaired by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Olympic Committee officially approved a name change, dropping the word “National” to align with international Olympic protocols.

Announcing the decision via social media, Sheikh Mansoor said the meeting also reviewed several initiatives aimed at advancing the Olympic movement across the Emirates.

“We reviewed initiatives to advance the Olympic movement,” he said, reaffirming the Committee’s commitment to enhancing the UAE’s global sporting presence.

Preparations for two key upcoming events were also on the agenda: the World Games in Chengdu this August, and the 3rd Asian Youth Games, taking place in Bahrain in October 2025.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Sheikh Mansoor met with members of the UAE delegation who recently returned from the GCC Beach Games 2025 in Muscat. Team UAE delivered a strong performance, finishing second overall with 23 medals, including 8 golds.

“We applaud their achievements and wish all our athletes continued success in representing the UAE on the world stage,” Sheikh Mansoor said.