Connect with us

Sports

Vaughan pokes Jaffer with 2002 memory and discusses social media perils

Published

on

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.

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.”

Sports

UFC returns to Abu Dhabi this July with blockbuster fight night at Etihad Arena

Published

on

Spread the love

Mark your calendars, fight fans. The UFC is making its return to Abu Dhabi on July 26, bringing a stacked Fight Night card to Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed the first six explosive matchups, including a can’t-miss main event featuring former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker taking on Reinier de Ridder, the surging Dutch fighter making waves across the division.

The co-main event sees rising star Aaron Pico make his highly anticipated UFC debut in a five-round featherweight showdown against the undefeated Movsar Evloev.

Official UFC Abu Dhabi Fight Card – July 26

  • Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder – Middleweight Main Event
  • Movsar Evloev vs. Aaron Pico – Featherweight Co-Main (5 rounds)
  • Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee – Bantamweight clash with fireworks guaranteed
  • Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov – High-stakes bantamweight bout
  • Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-André Barriault – Middleweight showdown
  • Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov – Light heavyweight banger

From title contenders to breakout stars and debuting fighters, this card is shaping up to be one of the summer’s most thrilling events in the UAE.

Tickets and more info coming soon. Stay tuned to UFC Arabia and Etihad Arena channels for updates.

Continue Reading

Middle East

DP World ILT20 strikes deal with Kuwait Cricket Board to develop T20 game in region 

Published

on

Spread the love

In a major boost for regional cricket, the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) has signed a strategic partnership with the Kuwait Cricket Board to develop the sport in Kuwait and beyond.

The collaboration, formalised at a high-profile ceremony at Dubai International Stadium, will see Kuwait host ILT20 development tournaments, offer exposure to local players, and eventually aim to stage official ILT20 matches on Kuwaiti soil.

This marks the first official partnership of its kind between the Emirates Cricket Board and any other national board under the ILT20 framework, placing Kuwait on the global cricket map.

What This Means for Cricket in the Gulf

  • Annual ILT20 Development Tournaments in Kuwait to identify and nurture local talent
  • Opportunity for Kuwaiti players to be scouted by ILT20 franchises
  • Future possibility of ILT20 matches hosted in Kuwait, expanding the league’s GCC footprint
  • Greater involvement of local sponsors and Kuwaiti brands in regional cricket
  • Enhanced pathway for Kuwaiti nationals to pursue full-time cricket careers

Voices from the Partnership

Khalid Al Zarooni, Chairman of ILT20 and Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, said: “We are proud to announce this strategic collaboration with the Kuwait Cricket Board as they officially join the DP World ILT20 family. This partnership underscores our commitment to expanding the game’s footprint across the Gulf region. Kuwait is a valued partner, an ambitious country with a clear vision for promoting and developing cricket.


“With strong cricket-playing communities across the region, the DP World ILT20 aims to create opportunities for players and fans alike. Our goal is to elevate the sport and make the league a truly regional platform for cricket excellence.”

Haider Farman, President of Kuwait Cricket, stated: “It is an honour to formalise this landmark agreement between Kuwait Cricket and the Emirates Cricket Board to promote the DP World ILT20, both in our two countries and across the wider region. This partnership is a cornerstone in our shared vision to grow and globalise the sport of cricket.


“We take great pride in Kuwait being recognised as the first strategic partner of the DP World ILT20. Cricket is rapidly gaining momentum in Kuwait, and this collaboration will play a pivotal role in integrating more Kuwaiti nationals into the sport as players, officials, and professionals.

“With the upcoming Asian Games in Qatar (2030) and Saudi Arabia (2034), the timing is ideal. We believe this partnership will inspire the next generation across the GCC and lay the foundation for long-term cricketing success.”

David White, CEO of DP World ILT20, commented: “We congratulate Kuwait Cricket for their strategic foresight and leadership, which have made this exciting partnership possible. The DP World ILT20’s long-term vision extends beyond the UAE; it is to serve as a catalyst for cricket development across the Gulf.

“This agreement opens up incredible opportunities for young talent in Kuwait to grow, compete, and ultimately be scouted for the main league. We’ve already seen how UAE players have benefitted from exposure to high-level competition and coaching, with recent wins like the T20I series against Bangladesh highlighting that impact. We are confident Kuwait will see similar progress.”

Sajid Ashraf, Director General of Kuwait Cricket, added: “This collaboration marks a historic moment for Kuwait Cricket and the broader sporting community. Partnering with the Emirates Cricket Board and the world-class DP World ILT20 opens new doors for our players to pursue full-time careers in professional cricket.


“Beyond the field, this alliance provides a powerful platform for Kuwaiti corporations to connect with the region’s vibrant cricket-loving population. With more than two million expatriates in Kuwait and a population of five million, the potential for commercial engagement is significant.


“We look forward to the launch of the ILT20 Development Tournament in Kuwait and the many opportunities it will bring for players, fans, and businesses. This is a defining step towards building a stronger cricket ecosystem and ensuring lasting impact for generations to come.”

What’s Next?

The first DP World ILT20 Development Tournament in Kuwait is set to be announced soon. Meanwhile, ILT20 Season 4 kicks off in the UAE on December 2, 2025 (UAE National Day), with six teams competing across 34 matches, culminating in the final on January 4, 2026.

As cricket cements its popularity across the GCC, this collaboration signals a shared ambition: to create an inclusive cricket ecosystem, from Dubai to Kuwait and beyond.

Continue Reading

News

Indian cricket icons headline Super60 USA Legends Tournament this August

Published

on

Spread the love

Some of India’s biggest cricketing names are set to bring their star power to the United States as the much-anticipated Super60 USA Legends Tournament gets underway this August. Fans can look forward to seeing Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, and Robin Uthappa in action once again, this time on American soil.

The tournament, which will run from August 5 to 16, is part of a growing movement to promote cricket in non-traditional markets, with the US emerging as a major focus. The T10 format, a fast-paced, dynamic, and spectator-friendly game, promises to offer fans thrilling, bite-sized cricket entertainment.

All three Indian stars bring rich international experience to the tournament:

  • Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina were key members of India’s historic 2011 ODI World Cup-winning squad.
  • Robin Uthappa played a crucial role in India’s victorious 2007 T20 World Cup campaign.

Speaking about his involvement, Harbhajan Singh said:

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Super60 USA Legends Tournament. It’s a unique and distinguished format that promises to bring a fresh perspective to the game. With the involvement of international legends, this tournament is a big step toward popularising cricket in this part of the world.”

Suresh Raina echoed the sentiment:

“I’m excited to be part of the Super60 USA Legends Tournament, which brings together world-class talent. Tournaments like this will play a vital role in growing the cricketing community in the US, and I’m proud to play a role in that journey.”

Robin Uthappa also praised the format and vision:

“The Super60 USA Legends Tournament is an excellent platform, both in terms of competition and innovation. Its unique format brings a fresh appeal to the game and has great potential to attract new fans. It’s exciting to be part of something that contributes meaningfully to cricket’s development in the US.”

The T10 format, known for its high-energy matches and shorter game duration, is helping cricket appeal to newer audiences. With games lasting around 90 minutes, the format delivers the thrill of Twenty20 cricket in a more compact version,  perfect for the entertainment-driven American sports market.

The tournament is being organised with the support of Samp Group, which continues to play a major role in expanding the reach of T10 cricket. The group aims to create the ideal platform for cricketing legends to connect with fans and inspire new players.

With legendary cricketers, a dynamic format, and a rapidly growing US cricket scene, the Super60 USA Legends Tournament promises to be a landmark moment in global cricket’s expansion story.

Continue Reading

Popular

© Copyright 2025 HEADLINE. All rights reserved

https://headline.ae/