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World Cup-winning football icon Thierry Henry inspires youth at SEF 2025: “Invest in Yourself”

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At the region’s largest entrepreneurial festival, former Arsenal and Barcelona star draw parallels between football and business, encouraging youth to push beyond their limits.

“Invest in yourself—whether it’s in your free time, happiness, or beliefs.” These were the words of French World Cup-winning football icon Thierry Henry as he delivered an impassioned keynote at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) 2025 on Saturday, drawing parallels between football and business and recalling his younger days as a player, encouraging youth to push beyond their limits.

“Take risks, because without them, there’s no reward. And remember, if you are here to perform, competition is key—someone is always ready to take your place,” said the footballer when asked by moderator Ghalia Abdalla Almaazmi, Deputy Head of the Women’s Football Committee, UAE Football Association, what mattered more – luck or skill. “Success comes to those who are willing to take risks—without action, there’s no reward. And when you reach the top, staying there requires just as much effort. Keep it simple, stay real, and always be ready to push yourself further.”

But funnily for Henry, who scored 51 times for the Les Blues while helping them to a World Cup trophy in 1998, the start of his ‘journey of excellence’ as a child was all about playing for one man – his father Antoine. “I just wanted to please my dad. [At that age] you just want to make sure that you are seen. I didn’t want to impress anyone else but my dad for whom smiling never came naturally. But one day he smiled. Playing professional football and winning came later,” said the former Arsenal and Barcelona man considered one of the greatest strikers of all time.

The world champion’s take on developing a winning mindset 

Henry, who under long-time mentor and coach Arsène Wenger, became a prolific striker and English premier league club Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer with 228 goals in all competitions, winning the Premier League Golden Boot a record four times, also spoke about one of his earliest coaches Joaquim Francisco Filho and how it helped him develop the ‘winning mindset’. 

“I had coaches along the way. What Filho did was something very important to me. We often talk about being faster and stronger but one of the most important things is how we must think. He developed my winning mindset. For example, when I was younger, I was fast. In training sometimes, he used to tell me I don’t want you to beat anyone but yourself,” Henry said. 

“So keep believing and do not stop. It is you up against yourself at the end of the day. The best discussion you can ever have is with yourself”, he told his audience. 

Leveraging the business of sports as a tool for positive change

Sharing his insights on starting a business in the sports industry, he said: “Sports doesn’t  operate like any other industry. Strategies that bring a company exceptional results might not apply to football. You will be criticised, lose money, but ask yourself, why are you doing this? Is it for money or fame, or are you in it to make a difference?”

“Look at Manchester City – they have transformed the environment around their stadium, created jobs and made the place better. Sports reflect society. It unites people from all cultures, creates change around pressing issues, and allows women to evolve. I hope we can continue to change in that direction.”

Connecting the global ecosystem under the theme of “Where We Belong,” SEF 2025 champions the impact of community and the spirit of innovation. Organised by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) as the largest event of its kind in the region, and hosted at the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park (SRTIP), this year’s festival is taking place from 1-2 February, 2025. 

As a trainee reporter and creative lead, I focus on curating engaging content and managing the social media presence for the company. I aim to connect audiences with relevant, impactful news through multiple digital platforms.

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Canada Super 60 names Women’s Trophy after cricketing legend Mel Jones

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Canada’s pioneering cricket league, Canada Super 60, has announced that its inaugural Women’s Trophy will be named in honour of Mel Jones, the former Australian cricketer, respected broadcaster, and tireless advocate for women’s cricket.
Canada Super 60 is the world’s first-ever ten-over-a-side event to launch with both men’s and women’s competitions from its inaugural season. The league will be staged under the roof of the iconic BC Place in Vancouver, showcasing international stars alongside homegrown Canadian talent.

As part of its commitment to celebrating women’s cricket and inspiring future generations, Canada Super 60 will name the Women’s Trophy each year after an international women’s cricket legend. This tradition will not only create awareness but also honour trailblazers whose contributions have shaped the women’s game.

This year, the league has chosen Mel Jones—not only for her outstanding career in cricket and broadcasting, but also for her leadership off the field. Jones has been a leading voice for women’s cricket worldwide, and the ICC has widely recognized her efforts. She played a pivotal role in supporting Afghan women cricketers forced to flee their homeland after the Taliban takeover in 2021, helping coordinate their evacuation to Australia, providing resources, and co-founding the Pitch Our Future initiative to support their education and sporting careers. In recognition of these efforts, she was honoured with the prestigious MCC Spirit of Cricket Award in 2025.

Thanks to her advocacy and international coordination, many of these Afghan players found refuge abroad including two who are now living in Canada, following the Canadian government’s support for their refugee applications. This aligns with the Canada Super 60 vision of using cricket as a platform for opportunity and inclusion. Mel Jones on Receiving the Honour said “This honour from Canada Super 60 truly humbles me,” said Mel Jones. “To have the Women’s Trophy named after me is something very special. What excites me most is the vision behind this initiative creating more opportunities and visibility for women’s cricket, especially in associate nations. Platforms like Canada Super 60 will inspire and empower a new generation of players. My hope is that one day, a Canadian cricket legend will have this trophy named after them, as the women’s game continues to grow in this country.”

The Canada Super 60 Women’s Trophy will be presented at BC Place, Vancouver, during the inaugural edition of the tournament, taking place from October 8–13, 2025.

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Mosaic opens in Dubai, promising smarter marketing decisions for UAE businesses

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Mosaic, an integrated marketing agency, was officially launched in Dubai recently promising a new, more intentional approach to business growth for companies in the UAE. Led by Agency Director Shubhang Bhattacharya and Head of Digital Prasanna Venkat, Mosaic aims to buck a common market trend: businesses that start strong but struggle to scale.

Bhattacharya and Venkat have spent the last decade in the business setup space in Dubai, launching campaigns that helped countless businesses start. This experience has given them a clear vision for Mosaic. 

“So many businesses, no matter how long they’ve been around, try to handle marketing on their own and miss out on huge opportunities,” says Bhattacharya. “Making the right decisions at the right time is a make-or-break moment for any business. We give businesses the expertise to make marketing a cornerstone of their success, not just an afterthought.”

Mosaic’s philosophy centres on making “better decisions” rather than simply chasing bigger budgets. “We’ve seen too many businesses struggle with direction,” adds Venkat. “At Mosaic, our starting point is always the same: what actually creates value for the client, and how do we get there without overcomplicating it?”

Mosaic isn’t waiting around to make an impact. Since its soft launch in February 2025, the agency has already delivered serious results. That includes the “Employee to Entrepreneur” campaign, which pulled in over 23 million impressions, and the launch of the UAE’s first-ever mobile business setup initiative, the “Startup Wagon.” The team also proved its ability to tap into the culture with a simple, silly reel on the Coldplay concert trend that went on to get over 14 million views on Instagram.

The name “Mosaic” is a core tenet of the agency’s operational philosophy. It represents how the team works: bringing distinct, diverse perspectives together to create a result that is greater than the sum of its parts. 

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AKCEL GP Academy officially launches in UAE with stellar international roster

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AKCEL GP Academy today, announced a dynamic line-up of rising stars to compete in the 2025/26 Rotax Max and IAME UAE Karting Championships as part of their inaugural season. The line-up features Atiqa Asif Mir, Rivaan Dev Preetham, Rehan Khan Rasheed, Ridhaan A, Krishay Gutte, and Jagrat Detroja from India, Brando Londono from Canada and Linas Volungevicius from Lithuania.

The AKCEL GP Academy, based at the iconic YAS Marina Circuit, goes beyond racing with 360° driver development; covering technical training, fitness, mental conditioning in partnership with Wishtok for performance and wellness coaching, and career planning, offering a clear, professional roadmap to Formula racing and beyond. The Academy’s state-of-the-art garage experience centre and race-prep facilities are a testament to their vision to become the most advanced, structured, and internationally recognized karting academy in the region, nurturing future racing champions from grassroots.

AKCEL GP Academy is a part of the rapid emergence of UAE as one of the world’s most exciting motorsport destinations, with globally renowned circuits such as Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Autodrome, and by hosting the prestigious Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In 2024, the country’s sports event market generated more than Dh22.8 million in revenue and is projected to surpass Dh44 million by 2030, reflecting an annual growth rate of 11.8 percent. With the global motorsport industry valued at Dh34.9 billion, the UAE’s growing investment in racing innovation and talent development makes the launch of AKCEL GP Academy especially timely and impactful.

Leading the charge, Atiqa Mir has already made history as the first Indian to secure a top-10 finish at the Rotax Euro Trophy. Rivaan Dev Preetham, a two-time national champion, became India’s first race winner at the FIA Motorsport Games, finishing World No. 8 in 2024. Jagrat Detroja also made headlines in Valencia, taking pole position and finishing 5th overall. The next wave of Indian talent includes Rehan Khan Rasheed, holder of fastest laps across all three FMSCI-homologated tracks in Micro Max, and 11-year-old Ridhaan A, who broke into the National Karting Championship top-six on debut. Krishay Gutte adds further promise with consistent performances across Asia and the UAE.

On the international front, Brando Londono, Canada’s most-followed young racer, brings FIA European Karting Championship experience and is preparing his step up to Formula 4. Linas Volungevicius, a front-runner in the Rotax Latvia and Lithuania Championships, impressed with a top-10 finish at the FIA Motorsport Games. Together, these eight drivers form a fearless and ambitious squad set to light up the UAE karting circuit.

“We are thrilled to begin the first season of AKCEL GP Karting Academy, a platform that celebrates talent, passion, and perseverance. More than just racing, AKCEL GP Academy builds future champions and offers young drivers a world-class pathway here in the UAE and beyond. This inaugural season brings together talent from across the globe, proving that motorsport knows no borders. To every young driver: this is just the start of your journey. With hard work and belief, the track ahead has no limits,” declared Amit Kaushal, Chairman, AKCEL Group.

Looking ahead, AKCEL GP Academy plans to expand into European championships by 2027, creating a seamless pathway into the FIA Pyramid from FIA F4, FIA FREC, FIA F3 and FIA F2. Combining world-class infrastructure with a structured career plan, the Academy positions itself as more than a team, it is a talent factory and a gateway to professional motorsport.

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