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Vaughan pokes Jaffer with 2002 memory and discusses social media perils

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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.”

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Ajman hosts Asian Fitness and Bodybuilding Championship for the first time

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Ajman is flexing its sporting muscles this week as it hosts the 58th Asian Fitness and Bodybuilding Championship for the very first time. The prestigious event marks a major milestone in the emirate’s growing sports scene.

The event, which kicked off yesterday, will run until June 17 at the Emirates Hospitality Centre. The championship features top athletes from 23 Asian countries, turning Ajman into a regional hub for elite bodybuilding and fitness talent.

Speaking at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Dr Rafael Santonja, President of the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB), praised Ajman’s efforts to support bodybuilding and encourage youth participation, noting the professional-level planning and warm hospitality extended by the organisers.

“I’m confident that this edition of the Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship will set a new standard,” said Dr Santonja. 

As Ajman makes its debut on the Asian bodybuilding stage, the event not only brings together top-tier competitors but also gives fans a chance to watch these world-class athletes closer to home.

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FIFA Club World Cup: Bayern Munich humiliate Auckland City 10-0 in record-breaking opener

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The FIFA Club World Cup got off to a jaw-dropping start in the US, and not for the right reasons. Bayern Munich, Germany’s footballing powerhouse, demolished New Zealand’s part-time club Auckland City FC 10-0 on Sunday night at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, setting a new record for the biggest win in a senior men’s FIFA competition.

The German champions were 6-0 up before the halftime whistle even blew. Then came the second-half carnage: Jamal Musiala netted a hat-trick off the bench, and departing legend Thomas Müller wrapped up the scoring to push Bayern into double digits.

With this emphatic win, Bayern sit comfortably at the top of Group C. They’re now waiting to see who they’ll face next, either Benfica of Portugal or Argentina’s Boca Juniors.

A mismatch that raised eyebrows

This year’s expanded Club World Cup, now with 32 teams, was already stirring debate before the first ball was kicked. From concerns over player fatigue and ticket sales to questions about security and scheduling, the revamped format has been under a microscope.

But all that faded temporarily, until the second match day delivered a lopsided scoreline that felt more like a training ground drill than a global tournament fixture.

Auckland City are the only amateur side in the tournament. In contrast, Bayern Munich’s squad is valued at over $1 billion, with stars like Harry Kane and Joshua Kimmich leading the charge. Auckland’s entire trip to the U.S. reportedly cost more than their annual revenue.

Michael Olise, who also grabbed a hat-trick, was asked after the game whether he felt any pity for the opposition. He laughed and simply said, “No.”

Why it matters for UAE fans

The 10-0 drubbing is now officially the biggest defeat in a men’s FIFA tournament — eclipsing the previous record of 6-1 from the 2002 Club World Cup.

It also highlights the gulf between top-tier football and the teams brought in from less prominent leagues. For UAE-based fans, used to seeing competitive fixtures at the FIFA Club World Cup when it was hosted in Abu Dhabi, Sunday’s match may feel like a step backward.

So, was this what FIFA had in mind when expanding the tournament?

Whether it’s a one-off result or a sign of things to come, Sunday’s match has reignited concerns about fairness and competitiveness in the Club World Cup. For now, though, Bayern Munich have made their point, in record-breaking style.

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From Messi to Mbappe: World champions set to clash in FIFA Club World Cup 2025

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Get ready for one of the biggest club football tournaments in the world. The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is taking place from June 14 to July 13 across 11 cities in the United States, bringing together 32 of the world’s top men’s football clubs in a revamped and supersized format.

The month-long tournament will culminate in a blockbuster final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where one club will lift the title of world champions.

FIFA has confirmed the 32 teams that will compete in the inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 —and it’s loaded with legends.

From Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe to Sergio Ramos and Thomas Müller, a total of 26 FIFA World Cup winners will be in action, giving fans across the globe, and especially in the UAE, a reason to tune in.

A Truly Global Tournament

The tournament will bring together 32 of the world’s top club teams, playing 63 matches across 12 venues in 11 host cities, including Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Seattle.

In what FIFA is calling the first true “world championship” for clubs, players from 81 countries will take the field, including representatives from all six football confederations and 22 nations that have never before appeared in a FIFA World Cup.

Star Power: World Cup Winners to Watch

The player list reads like a who’s who of modern football:

  • Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) – Likely to feature in the tournament’s opening game vs. Al Ahly on June 14
  • Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
  • Sergio Ramos (CF Monterrey)
  • Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami CF)
  • Thomas Müller & Manuel Neuer (FC Bayern Munich)
  • Antoine Griezmann, Hugo Lloris, Angel Di María, and many more

In fact, Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad is heavily represented, with 13 players taking part. French fans will spot nine stars from their 2018 triumph.

Clubs With the Most Champions

  • Atletico de Madrid leads the way with six World Cup winners
  • CA River Plate follow with four
  • Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain also boast multiple international icons

Why UAE Fans Should Watch

  • Messi’s first game is on June 14, expect major regional TV coverage and streaming
  • Multiple Arab clubs are taking part, including Al Ahly (Egypt) and Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
  • A chance to see club giants like Man City, Chelsea, Palmeiras, and Urawa Red Diamonds battle for global supremacy

Squad Rules and Transfers

Clubs submitted 26–35 player squads, and FIFA allowed a special transfer window from June 1 to 10 to reinforce line-ups.

There’s also an in-competition registration period (June 27 – July 3), meaning late squad tweaks are possible.

FIFA President on the Tournament

“This will be the most competitive and inclusive club football tournament ever,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “We’ll see some of the best players from every continent fight to become the first club to win both the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.”

Key Games

  • Opening match: Saturday, June 14, 2025
  • Final: Expected in mid-July 2025
  • Venues: 11 host cities across the US
  • Broadcasters: UAE TV rights expected to be announced closer to the date

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