Sports
Dh500,000 up for grabs
Dh500,000 up for grabs Staff Reporter (silvia@khaleejtimes.com) / 14 August 2013 The Abu Dhabi Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex) will give away over half a million dirhams to winners of its several competitions to be held on September 4-7 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. This year, the competitions include Arabic coffee brewing, Nabati Poetry and hunting, and equestrian and heritage-related photography and painting. “To qualify for these competitions, local entries must be submitted before August 28, while international ones should be submitted by September 1 at the latest,” announced Abdulla Al Qubaisi, director of Adihex. As in previous years, participants for the Arabic coffee competition are allowed to enter late, prior to show opening. For the past few editions, Emirati Bedouin men have dominated this competition, which is one of the most popular attractions at Adihex as participants sing and sometimes share stories of the past while roasting, grinding and brewing the coffee beans. Additionally, Adihex will host a competition for the best falcons bred in captivity in the categories of Gyr-Horr (Peregrine), Gyr Shahin and Male Gyr, overseen by the Emirates Falconers’ Club, as well as a competition for the most beautiful hunting saluki in the two categories of Hoss (smooth) and Reesh (feathered). Painting and photography competitions are open to amateur and professional artists of all nationalities, and are restricted to one piece of artwork per artist in any of these categories: falconry, equestrian or UAE Heritage. All artworks received will be handed to a special viewing committee which, along with the exhibition higher committee, will have the right to refuse any artwork that does not meet the requirements; a special jury committee will then choose the winners in each category — painting and photography. “The 11 th edition of Adihex will see an array of heritage and cultural activities, and is expected to attract nearly 100,000 visitors of all ages, who share the passion for the unique UAE heritage,” added Al Qubaisi. These include a museum style display of local customs and traditions in the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority’s pavilion, where there will be demonstrations of Emirati sewing, weaving and cooking, along with showcasing the fishing and pearling traditions of the past. Full details about the competitions and rules are available on www.adihex.net . Continue reading
RAK cuts traffic fines by 50% for 3 months
RAK cuts traffic fines by 50% for 3 months Ahmed Shaaban (ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com) / 14 August 2013 For three months from August 18, fines imposed for traffic law offences on Ras Al Khaimah’s roads will be cut by half. Brigadier Mohammed Al Noobi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the RAK Police, on Tuesday said the grace period will be valid till November 18. “Only the erring drivers caught on the emirate’s roads shall be eligible for the fine discount. The unpaid fines for speeding and other traffic offences must be paid at the 50 per cent discounted rate at the RAK Traffic and Patrols Department.” Brigadier Al Noobi noted that the only exception to this was impoundment. “In this case, the erring motorist must appear in person at the department and hand over his/her vehicle for impoundment or pay the set fine.” The move was meant to cut the financial burden on errant drivers and encourage the motorists to pay the pending fines, but exercise more caution on the road in the future. “The move is also aimed to help motorists renew their expired registration cards.” The traffic and patrols departments in all emirates ordered a 25-50 per cent discount on the traffic fines recorded in the respective emirates. “The decision encouraged many motorists to renew their expired registration cards and settle the accumulated fines.” As per a tougher unified traffic law with higher fines and a black points system enacted in 2008 all over the country, the erring motorists penalised with 24 black points would lose their driving licences. Driving callously costs an erring driver Dh2,000, 12 black points, as well as the impoundment of the vehicle for 30 days. Not carrying a driving licence or using a horn in a disturbing way attracts a fine of Dh100. Pedestrian knocked down Meanwhile, a 30-year-old Asian man, identified only as M.A., suffered serious head injuries after a vehicle driven by an Emirati motorist, named H.A., knocked him down while crossing the road near the Emarat petrol station in the Khor Khuweir area, according to the RAK Civil Defence Department. “The mishap is to be blamed on the motorist who was speeding and driving inattentively that he did not notice the pedestrian who was crossing the road. The victim, who was given first aid, was shifted to Saqr Hospital.” Continue reading
1,326 to get Al Falah houses today
1,326 to get Al Falah houses today (Wam) / 14 August 2013 The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City will hand over the keys of new housing units today to 1,326 citizens whose names have been approved in the third phase of the residential project of Al Falah City. The project is being implemented on the directives of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, from their keen interest to provide a decent living for all citizens and ensure the stability of the Emirati family. The municipality has dedicated 25 counters at the main centre on Shaikh Zayed Road for the beneficiaries to complete the procedures swiftly, and there will be a mobile car service for the beneficiaries with special needs. The Falah City project is being implemented in phases and includes 4,857 villas spread over five districts. The project is part of a citizens’ housing initiative launched by the Government of Abu Dhabi in 2010 to strengthen the societal ties. Continue reading
