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World League of Fighters announces grand launch in Bangkok: Winners to secure golden tickets to UAE’s inaugural season

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The World League of Fighters (WLF), the first-of-its-kind franchise based league-styled Muay Thai tournament, announced the grand launch ceremony for the inaugural season on June 1st at the prestigious Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. Sticking to the league’s ideology of sportainment, the mega launch event will offer the audiences mesmerising live musical performances from some of the renowned artists along with an action-packed fight night comprising of five intense bouts to mesmerise the local Muay Thai fans.

To further capture the imagination of the audiences all around the world, the launch ceremony will be held at the highly popular the New Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, in Bangkok, Thailand. Currently owned and run by the Royal Thai Army, the Stadium is regarded as the symbol of modern Muay Thai, and is frequented by the fans who pack the stadium in large numbers each week to witness thrilling fights.

The grand event will be attended by Mr. Rajesh Banga, Chairman World League of Fighters, Mr. Rahul Saxena, President World League of Fighters, Mr. Sunil Mathew, Co-Founder World League of Fighters, Mr. Nilesh Pundir, Co-Founder of World League of Fighters, along with President WBC Muay Thai, Colonel Thanapol Bhakdibhumi. Mr. Samer Al Suojhayer, Co-Founder and Head of Operations WLF Asia, Mr. Kevin P. Noone, Secretary General WBC Muay Thai, and Mr. Fouad Darwish Ceo & Managing Director of Palms Sports will also be present to witness the spectacle.

To kick start the exciting Muay Thai action, USA’s Matt baker will face off against Azerbaijan’s Rauf Gerayzade in the Cruiserweight bout, while Thailand’s own Satanfah Sitsongpeenong will take on Iran’s Mohammad Sirasani in the Middleweight fight. India’s Surya Sagar will vie for a win when he takes on Lithuania’s Deividas Danyla in Welterweight match, and Russia’s Dana Begzhanova will also be in action against Spain’s Alba Morral in the Women’s Featherweight bout. The winners of the four bouts will get a Golden Ticket to the inaugural season of the World League of Fighters which will take place in Abu Dhabi later this year. The Muay Thai action will close with the Headline Contest between Kazakhstan’s Ali Kabdulla and Armenia’s Martun Mezhlumyan in a 170 Pound Catchweight contest.

To further add to the spectacle, the fans will get a chance to groove along with the biggest Thai pop sensation Kratae Rsiam, who recently opened Bruno Mars’ concert in Bangkok, and will be performing live at the launch ceremony. The renowned local musical artist Tong Twopee, who has garnered a cult-like following on social media, will also be performing live for the audience in attendance.

Speaking on the upcoming Launch event, Mr. Rajesh Banga, Chairman World League of Fighters said, “The Launch event in Bangkok is a tiny teaser of the extravaganza that we will be presenting to the world with the inaugural season of World League of Fighters. We are bringing a revolution to the world of combat sports, and we are confident our vision will resonate with the global masses. The Launch event will not only give the fans a chance to enjoy live Muay Thai fights, but also allow them to engage with live musical performances. We are grateful to WBC Muay Thai for their constant support and for the Thailand and Bangkok government authorities for allowing us to showcase our vision at the Mecca of Muay Thai – the New Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.”

WLF partnered with World Boxing Council Muay Thai last year to revolutionise the sport of Muay Thai and spread its reach across the globe. This is the first time in the Combat Sport World, a franchise-based league-style tournament is being organised featuring 20 of the world’s best male and female Muay Thai fighters. The renowned international combat sports stars will be divided into 4 franchises that will compete against each other in a round-robin format, to claim the Coveted WLF * WBC Title Belt.

President WBC Muay Thai, Colonel Thanapol Bhakdibhumi, added: “It is about time the adrenaline-pumping sport of Muay Thai gets a revamp. A league-styled competition of such magnitude is a celebration will boost the popularity of the sport and expand its reach beyond horizon. The upcoming Launch event is a moment of celebration for all Muay Thai fans, aficionados, trainers, and fighters not only in Thailand, but all around the globe, and we want to give them a show that they will never ever forget. The mingling of Muay Thai with entertainment is an unprecedented chapter in the history of combat sports and we cannot wait to present a glimpse of what is in store for the fans.”

The event is slated to take place in UAE in September.

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Dubai is giving hotel investors a full rebate, here’s why it’s a game-changer

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Dubai is offering a major boost to investors eyeing the city’s next wave of hospitality hotspots. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has launched a new incentive programme designed to encourage hotel development in future high-growth areas, including Dubai South, Palm Jebel Ali, Dubai Parks, and Dubai Islands.

The initiative follows the issuance of Executive Council Resolution No. (68) of 2025 by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.

100% rebate

Under the programme, new hotels, resorts, and hotel apartments that meet DET’s criteria will be reimbursed 100% of the Dubai Municipality fee on room sales and the Tourism Dirham fee for two years after opening, a move aimed at accelerating investment and expanding Dubai’s hospitality footprint.

“The launch of this hotel incentive programme marks an important new phase in the development of Dubai’s hospitality ecosystem,” said Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (part of DET). 

“It supports our goal of making Dubai the best city to visit, live, work and invest in.”

Strengthening a Record-Breaking Hospitality Sector

The announcement follows an impressive run for Dubai’s tourism sector. In the first eight months of 2025, the city welcomed 12.54 million international overnight visitors, marking a 5% year-on-year increase, and achieved 29.03 million occupied room nights. Hotel occupancy stood at 78.5%, ranking among the highest globally and two percentage points higher than the same period in 2024.

Streamlined Application and Regulatory Oversight

The DET will manage all investor applications and ensure compliance with Decree No. (17) of 2013, which governs the licensing and classification of hotel establishments in Dubai. Eligible projects must commence operations within three years of application to qualify for the incentive.

Investors can contact the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism at +971 600 55 55 59 for application details.

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India’s BCKIC 2025 Conclave to unlock $10–50 billion green market access for UAE and GCC leaders

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The stage is set for one of the most significant India–Middle East business dialogues of the decade, as the Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster (BCKIC) 2025 Conclave prepares to open in India this November, offering, according to organisers, a $10–50 billion sustainability and investment opportunity for Gulf-based leaders.

Scheduled for November 21 and 22 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, the two-day conclave will bring together senior representatives from government entities, sovereign funds, and the private sector across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider GCC region. 

The event is organised by the BCKIC Foundation, supported by the Government of Odisha’s Department of Energy, under the aegis of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

Themed around The Next Wave of Sustainability Policy and Investment Flows”, the summit seeks to bridge India’s rapidly expanding green economy, valued at over $165 billion, with the Middle East’s capital, innovation and policy frameworks under Vision 2030 and UAE Centennial 2071.

“This is not just another global summit, it’s a strategic inflection point for India–Middle East collaboration,” said Dr Mrutyunjay Suar, Chairman of the BCKIC Foundation.

“From green hydrogen and water security to circular economy and AI-driven sustainability, the synergies between India’s innovation scale and the Gulf’s execution capacity are unparalleled. Missing this window could mean losing the first-mover advantage in shaping global sustainability frameworks.”

A New Era of India–Middle East Sustainability Partnership

The conclave comes at a pivotal moment for both regions. Following India’s G20 presidency in 2023 and the UAE’s hosting of COP28, both nations have emerged as global voices in sustainability transition and climate finance.

Dr. Suar noted that the conclave will act as a strategic platform for Gulf leaders to consolidate their role within the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), while also gaining access to India’s technology, research, and policy innovation ecosystem.

“Gulf sovereign funds now control over $2 trillion in assets and are increasingly looking for sustainable, high-return projects,” he said. 

“India’s innovation and affordability, combined with the Middle East’s capital and implementation speed, make this partnership an unprecedented opportunity to move from commitment to concrete outcomes.”

Access to Proven Technologies and MoU-Ready Projects

Middle Eastern delegates will gain direct access to Indian policymakers and experts from NITI Aayog, DST, and the Principal Scientific Adviser’s Office, with discussions focused on green hydrogen, renewable energy, waste-to-energy, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

The event will also unveil a pipeline of over 50 proven Indian technologies relevant to Gulf market needs, ranging from water management systems to digital smart-city solutions, many of which have demonstrated cost efficiencies of 30–50% compared to Western alternatives.

The BCKIC Foundation confirmed that the conclave is structured to deliver tangible outcomes, with more than 20 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) already in advanced stages of preparation. The targeted projects are expected to offer internal rates of return (IRR) between 15% and 25%, appealing to investors seeking both profitability and environmental impact.

Odisha: A Live Model for Sustainable Urban Innovation

The conclave will take place in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, one of India’s fastest-growing hubs for renewable energy and smart cities. The venue itself will serve as a live showcase of sustainable urban development, featuring zero-waste hospitality, circular economy practices, and local sourcing models.

Organisers say the event is designed to foster lasting bilateral frameworks that will drive long-term cooperation between India and the Middle East across sustainability, technology transfer, and impact investment.

“This is the decade of decisive climate action and cross-regional collaboration,” Dr Suar added. 

“The BCKIC 2025 Conclave will not just discuss ideas but catalyse partnerships that define the global sustainability roadmap for years to come.”

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Abu Dhabi T10 levels up its game with BC.GAME Esports as principal partner

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The Abu Dhabi T10 League has announced BC.GAME Esports as its Principal Partner for the 2025 season. This landmark partnership connects the energy of T10 cricket with the fast-growing global esports ecosystem, driving brand visibility and fan engagement to new levels.

The alliance will deliver powerful exposure across broadcast, digital, and in-stadia platforms, while introducing esports-inspired activations to enhance the tournament experience for fans. The aim is to bring the worlds of live cricket and competitive gaming closer than ever before.

The Abu Dhabi T10 will run from November 18 to 30, 2025, at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, featuring top international players competing in action-packed 10-over matches. With BC.GAME Esports on board, the league will strengthen its appeal to younger, digital-first audiences across global markets.

“We’re excited to welcome BC.GAME Esports as our Principal Partner,” said a T10 League spokesperson. “Season 9 will be our biggest yet, with expanded global reach and enhanced fan experiences — and we are confident that BC.GAME Esports will return again next year.”

A BC.GAME Esports spokesperson added: “Partnering with Abu Dhabi T10 gives us the perfect platform to expand our community and create unique experiences that unite cricket fans and gamers worldwide.”

This partnership reflects Abu Dhabi T10’s commitment to innovation, youth engagement, and global growth, making 2025 one of its most exciting seasons yet.

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