Chariots of Dhabi
Despite widespread denials, rumours are still rife about the Olympics coming to the capital after business website meed.com reported that Abu Dhabi was planning to build an Olympic Stadium at Mina Zayed. Given the city’s avowed intention to bring ever grander sporting events to the area, from the F1 Grand Prix to the Club World Cup, the Olympics would surely be the pinnacle of their ambitions. Although rival emirate Dubai’s rumoured interest in bidding for the games might offer even greater incentive. However, whether they can convince the Olympic authorities that a summer games would not result in widespread sunburn and dehydration remains to be seen. (Perhaps the stadium has built-in saline drips under the seats.) But, if it happens, get ready for the best summer yet.
Bank on us
Another to add to the annals of great failed bank robberies. Last month criminals attempted to steal US$42billion from the UAE Central Bank. Police believe it was a two-pronged assault as criminals produced forged documents and attempted to withdraw sums of US$14billion and US$27.5billion on the pretext that the bank owed the money to their ‘leader’, an unnamed man who claimed to have inherited the debt from his grandparents. As scams go, it’s up there with, ‘Yeah, you lent me fifty dollars, you just forgot about it.’ We’ll give them 10 out of 10 for ambition, though.
An old Bangor
Recent reports from various British newspapers suggest that Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who recently graduated from the Bangor University with a PhD in economics, has declared he is serious about buying Welsh minnows Bangor City because he wants to give something back to the people of North Wales. Let us tell you: we’ve been to their Farrar Road ground and the reported average attendance of 400 is a tad optimistic. We don’t expect them to challenge Man City just yet.
Run for it
Just a year after the Corniche opened to the public, plans are already underway to turn it into an athlete’s paradise with spaces for football and volleyball already under construction, as well as other boardwalks, cycle paths, football pitches, volleyball courts and skateboarding areas planned for the beach front. Now what would the Olympic comittee have to say about that?
