Get the bike out of the garage, dig out your cycling kit and get ready to cycle through Dubai’s most stunning vistas; registrations are now open for the iconic Dubai Ride, presented by DP World – an unforgettable adventure past the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Taking place on Sunday 10 November 2024, the region’s largest community cycling event returns for its fifth edition, offering everyone – no matter your age or cycling ability – the chance to experience Dubai like never before. Much more than just a cycling event, Dubai Ride is a celebration of community, fitness, and the vibrant energy that makes Dubai one of the world’s best cities to visit, live and work in.

One of the most popular events on the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) calendar, Dubai Ride offers you an epic way to smash your 30×30 goals, after a remarkable 35,000 cyclists cycled a collective 546,000 kms during last year’s edition.

This year’s event features routes for all, whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just starting out. Choose the scenic 12km ride along Sheikh Zayed Road or opt for the family-friendly 4km through Downtown Dubai. Each path offers a unique perspective of the city’s architectural marvels, from the soaring Burj Khalifa to the striking Museum of the Future and iconic Dubai Opera.

Seeking a thrill? Try the brand-new Dubai Ride Speed Laps, designed to deliver an unparalleled cycle for experienced riders over 21 years old. Taking place from 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM on the 12km route, the speed laps will offer a unique chance to experience the excitement of high-speed cycling on Sheikh Zayed Road.

To join, you’ll need to maintain a minimum speed of 30km/h, ride a bike capable of sustaining this pace and follow the instructions of the Dubai Ride Marshals. Once complete, you can join family and friends for the main event. Registration for both Dubai Ride and Dubai Speed Laps is separate. You can sign up now for Dubai Ride, while registration for Dubai Speed Laps will begin on Monday 14 October, so mark your diaries to ensure you don’t miss this opportunity to push your limits and speed around the iconic Sheikh Zayed Road route.

As a participant, you’ll receive individual bibs for both Dubai Ride and Dubai Speed Laps. You can pick these up at the Dubai Municipality Zabeel Park 30 x 30 Fitness Village, your hub for all things running and cycling. More information on collection dates and timings will be announced soon.

In a surprising turn of events, upGrad Mumba Masters delivered a shocking defeat to tournament leaders PBG Alaskan Knights 10-9, disrupting their path to direct qualification for the finals. The win revived Mumba’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage themselves.

The seventh day of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League saw PBG, playing as Black, play against Mumba Masters, who had won only two out of seven matches so far. With three rounds left (including this one), PBG had the opportunity to secure their place in the finals. For Mumba, this was a must-win match to keep their finals hopes alive.

The opening game between the two teams ended in a narrow 8-5 victory for PBG, with just one decisive result: PBG’s Nihal Sarin pulling off a crucial win against Raunak Sadhwani on the prodigy board.

Early on in the match, Mumba gained the upper hand. Sadhwani created a strong position against Sarin, and Humpy Koneru was better placed against former Women’s World Champion, Tan Zhongyi. However, on the superstar board, Vidit Gujrathi was struggling with time against Nodirbek Abdusattorov, echoing their earlier encounter. Meanwhile, PBG’s icon player Anish Giri could only manage to create a drawn position against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, which, considering Giri was Black, would normally be a favourable result.

The first game to conclude was a draw on the women’s board, where Harika Dronavalli and Alina Kashlinskaya, both top scorers, drew. Needing to rally quickly, PBG instead found themselves in trouble.

A highly unusual position then developed on the icon board: despite Black having two pawn-runners on the queenside, the engine showed White had the advantage—provided Vachier-Lagrave could push his pawns on the kingside. In time trouble, the Frenchman – who also holds a degree in mathematics – calculated flawlessly, seizing a decisive advantage.

However, Mumba suffered a setback when Vidit lost on time, giving PBG a lead of 4-2. Still, Mumba was in control on three of the remaining four boards.

Vachier-Lagrave’s victory over Giri closed the gap to 5-4. But then Mumba’s Peter Svidler fell against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov in time trouble, pushing PBG ahead to 9-4.

It all came down to the final two boards, where Mumba was in dominant positions. Despite pressure on the clock, both Humpy and Sadhwani converted their advantages, securing a 10-9 victory for Mumba. When Sarin resigned, the crowd at Friends House erupted in applause.

“It feels great. I’m glad I could help the team. We had nothing to lose, wanting to play a good match and it worked,” Sadhwani said after the match.

With this victory, upGrad Mumba Masters remain in contention for the finals, while PBG Alaskan Knights will have to wait for another chance to secure their finalist spot.

Please see attached pics from the match today.

The Gulf Inclusive Cricket Board (GICB) has officially launched at the prestigious AccessAbilities Expo in Dubai by the former captain of UAE Cricket Team CP Rizwan, Founder of GICB Ghazal Khan and the Co-founder Sayed Shah Aziz, marking a historic moment for disability cricket in the Gulf region. Founded with the mission to promote and support cricket for differently-abled individuals, GICB is set to redefine inclusivity in sports, creating opportunities for athletes with disabilities to showcase their talents on a global platform.

The official launch, held at the World Trade Center, Dubai, comes as part of GICB’s vision to elevate differently-abled sports and foster an inclusive sporting community across the Gulf. GICB will work in partnership with local and international organizations to promote disability cricket, create employment opportunities for differently-abled individuals, and engage the community through various initiatives such as merchandise sales and inclusive restaurant ventures.

Ghazal Khan, Founder of GICB and a long-standing advocate for the differently-abled community, shared her excitement about this milestone: “The launch of GICB is a dream come true, not just for me but for all the differently-abled athletes in the region. We aim to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their physical limitations. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to expanding our initiatives to further break down barriers and empower differently-abled individuals across the Gulf.”

Ghazal organised the first ever International Disability Cricket League namely Divyang Premier League T-20 at Sharjah International Stadium in 2021. Over 100 specially abled cricketers took participate in the 8 franchise based teams. It was a massively successful event.

The launch at the AccessAbilities Expo is particularly symbolic, as the event is dedicated to showcasing the latest innovations and advancements in accessibility and inclusion. GICB’s participation highlights the critical role sports play in empowering individuals with disabilities, providing them with platforms for personal growth, community engagement, and professional development.

As part of its future plans, GICB will organize cricket tournaments for differently-abled athletes across the Gulf region, bringing together players from various countries.

The GICB launch is set to make a lasting impact on the landscape of disability sports in the region, opening doors for athletes to pursue their passion and succeed in their careers.

For more information about GICB and its upcoming projects, please visit our website or follow us on social media.