Sports

Vaughan pokes Jaffer with 2002 memory and discusses social media perils

Published

3 years ago

March 17, 2023

Staff Reporter

Spread the love

Kuumar Kavita Shyam

EXCLUSIVE

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has been in the thick of controversies for all the wrong reasons. He moved from one to another in a week’s time before getting on a flight to Dubai where he addressed young children of GEMS Modern Academy – this time for the right reason.

Joining the panel of a Mentors Academy, a joint initiative of the school with JMR Sporting, Vaughan told the children that beyond the playing skills, “it is important to enjoy the game and make sure that they share a relationship within the team or the dressing room.”

Vaughan’s words were pause worthy considering the man himself is in the middle of a racism controversy back home where a few Asian players have used an alleged comment of his from a team talk on the field many years ago as an example in court for highlighting their plight.

And barely a day before his address at the sprawling campus in Nad Al Sheba, he got into another tweet tit-for-tat bash with former Indian opening batsman Wasim Jaffer when Bangladesh stunned England to win a bilateral T20 series 3-0 on home turf. Jaffer rekindled their past banter on social media with a jibe “Hello Michael Vaughan, long time no see,” using a picture of himself with a Bangladesh shirt from the past when he was coach of the Under19 team.

Vaughan responded with a tweet (below) even as he has been battling a legal battle, which is getting closer to a judgement where words of one party is being verified with others.

They did .. But they are still world champions .. England seem to be very good at peaking for the World cups now .. it’s a good trait to have .. India should try and follow suit 👍 https://t.co/7rYlIFINfW
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 15, 2023

He could not resist having another potshot at Jaffer: “He is one of the victims of my bowling in Tests, my first wicket. He couldn’t play my off-spin.” Vaughan scored 100 in that first Test against India at Lord’s in the 2002 series.

Asked in Dubai if he has an advice on the use of social media for the students, Vaughan said: “As great as social media is, it can be bad too. But, I would like to look at the positive side. I would tell the kids to make use of it, get information which can be handy for half an hour or so, but don’t make it your be all and end all of it. Sadly, the art of live conversation is dying out, which shouldn’t be the extent on social media. I am yet to see a person who is the same profile as they are on social media.

“I have written about 40,000 tweets, including a few I regret. It is a great resource to have powerful conversations, but cricket is getting too fast and serious nowadays. People are hammering others for one mistake in their lives. It is also a great place to have fun. Wasim and I have had some fun going, and it is important to have a bit of camaraderie and fun going.”

I have written about 40,000 tweets, including a few I regret. It is a great resource to have powerful conversations, but cricket is getting too fast and serious nowadays

As good as the memory of picking Jaffer’s wicket from two decades back serves right for Vaughan, he is being put in a box as the world waits to see a court come to a decision if Vaughan said anything objectionable.

Meanwhile, Jaffer’s teammate from that 2002 Lord’s Test Virender Sehwag is in Vaughan’s corner at the Mentors Academy along with former Sri Lankan fast bowler Chaminda Vaas and Pakistan women’s team vice-captain and all-rounder Nida Dar.

JMR Sporting, which has put the whole plan together to coach pupils on the other aspects of playing the sport, has some great cricketing facilities in Sharjah. “Five days of the week, the students will continue to train at GEMS Modern Academy and over the weekend, they will make use of our specialized equipment and coaching techniques in Sharjah,” said Jaffar Moidu, the founder.

“There are four pillars of our holistic approach towards cricket coaching, including mental health and awareness for other aspects. Then once a month or so periodically, we will have camps where one of the mentors will guide the children on things beyond the physical skills.”

Related Topics:Asian controversey cricket Dubai Featured legal Michael Vaughan Racism social media trending tweet Twitter viral Virender Sehwag Wasim Jaffer

Staff Reporter

Sports

DP World ILT20 Season 4 shatters records with 397 million viewers and 2.5 billion video views

Published

3 days ago

April 10, 2026

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

The DP World International League T20 (ILT20) has officially cemented its status as a global cricket powerhouse. Following the conclusion of Season 4, new data reveals the league has tightened its grip as the second-most watched cricket league in the world, reaching a staggering 397 million unique viewers across TV and OTT platforms.

This represents a 7.49% increase over Season 3, fuelled by expansive broadcast syndication and the maiden title victory of the Desert Vipers on January 4, 2026.

Digital dominance: 2.5 billion views

While the TV numbers are impressive, the league’s digital footprint saw an even more explosive surge. DP World ILT20 platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, amassed over 2.5 billion video views during the season.

“This season we have further strengthened our position… with significant gains across all platforms,” said David White, CEO of DP World ILT20.

“Our digital content, focusing on both high-stakes action and off-field fan engagement, has truly resonated with a global audience.”

Season 4 statistical highlights

Global Reach: 397 million unique viewers (7.49% YoY growth).
Viral Content: Over 350 social media posts surpassed the 1 million views mark.
Star Power: Features elite talent including Sam Curran (Player of the Tournament), Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, and Shakib Al Hasan.

Joseph Eapen, Managing Partner at GSIQ, noted that for such a young tournament, achieving this level of international relevance is a “highly credible and noteworthy achievement.”

With Season 4 in the books, the league is already looking toward the future. Officials have confirmed that dates for Season 5 will be unveiled in the coming days, promising an even larger spectacle for cricket fans worldwide.

News

Dubai airport welcomes travellers with special Dubai World Cup passport stamp

Published

2 weeks ago

March 27, 2026

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

Travellers arriving at Dubai International Airport are being greeted with a unique souvenir, a special stamp on their passports celebrating the Dubai World Cup 2026.

The initiative, launched by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), marks the 30th edition (Pearl Jubilee) of one of the world’s most prestigious horse racing events.

A grand sporting celebration

The iconic Dubai World Cup will take place on Saturday, March 28 at Meydan Racecourse, drawing global attention from racing fans and elite stables.

This year’s event promises high-stakes action:

100 horses from top international stables
Nine races across the evening
Total prize pool of $30.5 million

Spotlight on the main race

The highlight of the night is the $12 million Dubai World Cup race, sponsored by Emirates Airline.

Run over 2,000 metres on dirt, the Group 1 race will feature some of the world’s top thoroughbreds, including:

“Hit Show” – last year’s winner
“Forever Young” – UAE Derby and Saudi Cup champion
“Imperial Emperor”
“Meidan” – Super Saturday winner

A memorable arrival experience

The commemorative passport stamp adds a celebratory touch for visitors landing in Dubai, tying their arrival to one of the city’s biggest sporting spectacles.

With excitement building ahead of race day, Dubai is once again showcasing its ability to blend world-class sport with unique visitor experiences.

News

Football superstar Erling Haaland invests in Norway Chess to launch global ‘Total Chess’ Championship Tour

Published

3 weeks ago

March 23, 2026

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

Soccer superstar Erling Haaland has announced a major investment in Norway Chess, backing the launch of a new global competition format, the Total Chess World Championship Tour.

The initiative, unveiled in Oslo, aims to transform chess into a more spectator-friendly and widely accessible sport. Haaland has partnered with Norwegian business leader Morten Borge to establish a new company, Chess Mates, which will become a significant stakeholder in Norway Chess.

Haaland said his investment reflects a strong belief in chess as both a mental discipline and a global spectator sport.

“Chess is an incredible game. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football. You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead,” he said.

The newly announced Total Chess World Championship Tour is set to feature four tournaments annually across different cities, bringing together the world’s top players. The competition will crown an overall world champion based on combined performance in three formats: Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz.

The tour has been approved by the International Chess Federation for a minimum of 16 years, underscoring its long-term ambition and significance within the global chess calendar.

A pilot tournament is scheduled for autumn 2026, with the first full season expected in 2027. Each season will include four events and offer a minimum prize pool of $2.7 million.

Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and Total Chess, welcomed Haaland’s involvement, describing it as a major step forward for the sport.

He said Haaland’s global influence and appeal would help attract new audiences and elevate the profile of chess worldwide, adding that preparations are now in the final stages to secure host cities for the inaugural tour.

With millions of fans worldwide, Haaland’s move into chess investment signals a growing crossover between elite sport and strategic mind games, potentially reshaping how chess is consumed and followed globally.