Latest news with #Abassi
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Tennis ace delighted to win second title at Wimbledon
Abassi, 48, who plays and coaches at David Lloyd Chigwell, featured in the national finals at Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, which is the UK's largest individual mass participation tennis competition and is delivered by Vodafone in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club. Thousands of players took part in the qualifying stages this year, leading to county and regional finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on Wimbledon's Aorangi Courts last week. Abassi won the men's wheelchair tennis competition, having also claimed the inaugural Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone title in 2023. Our grass courts are back in action 🤩 This week, they're hosting the Finals of Play Your Way to #Wimbledon, powered by @VodafoneUK 🎾 He said: "It's great the way Play Your Way is giving opportunity to the players from the regions and all disabilities. This is a great initiative, and I really admire the hospitality and the venue itself is very historic. Being a part of this family is incredible. 'Playing on these courts reminds you how the big names have been part of this venue, and we are a part of the same. It's an amazing feeling.' This year's tournament delivered over 10,000 playing opportunities with thousands of singles and doubles players taking part at 800 venues, leading to county and area finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on the All England Club's Aorangi Courts from 3 – 9 August 2025. The competition aims to broaden playing opportunities and to inspire people of all ages and abilities to play tennis and follow in the footsteps of their tennis heroes by competing for a chance to play on Wimbledon's iconic courts. In addition to 14 and under singles, 18 and under doubles and adult doubles draws, the categories also included wheelchair (adult and juniors), learning disability and visually impaired competitions. The national finals also saw the return of popular para-standing and deaf tennis exhibition matches held during the week. World No.1 wheelchair doubles partners and Vodafone ambassadors Alfie Hewett OBE and Gordon Reid OBE were in attendance to cheer on the players at SW19 and offer their experience and advice. 'We would have loved to have had something like this when we were younger and playing,' said Hewett. 'Play your Way to Wimbledon is a massive event for someone to pick up a racket for the first time or start playing again if they haven't for a while. 'It's about being active at grassroots level, making friends and new tennis partners and that is the beauty of events like this.' Reid added: 'We want tennis to be available and accessible to everybody and get as many people as possible enjoying the sport. 'This event encapsulates that perfectly and we're proud to be a part of it.' Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, is the UK's largest individual mass participation tennis competition. It is delivered by Vodafone, in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club, forming part of Vodafone's ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots tennis in the UK and making the sport more accessible for players of all ages and abilities.
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Tennis ace delighted to win second title at Wimbledon
Abassi, 48, who plays and coaches at David Lloyd Chigwell, featured in the national finals at Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, which is the UK's largest individual mass participation tennis competition and is delivered by Vodafone in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club. Thousands of players took part in the qualifying stages this year, leading to county and regional finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on Wimbledon's Aorangi Courts last week. Abassi won the men's wheelchair tennis competition, having also claimed the inaugural Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone title in 2023. Our grass courts are back in action 🤩 This week, they're hosting the Finals of Play Your Way to #Wimbledon, powered by @VodafoneUK 🎾 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) August 7, 2025 He said: "It's great the way Play Your Way is giving opportunity to the players from the regions and all disabilities. This is a great initiative, and I really admire the hospitality and the venue itself is very historic. Being a part of this family is incredible. 'Playing on these courts reminds you how the big names have been part of this venue, and we are a part of the same. It's an amazing feeling.' This year's tournament delivered over 10,000 playing opportunities with thousands of singles and doubles players taking part at 800 venues, leading to county and area finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on the All England Club's Aorangi Courts from 3 – 9 August 2025. The competition aims to broaden playing opportunities and to inspire people of all ages and abilities to play tennis and follow in the footsteps of their tennis heroes by competing for a chance to play on Wimbledon's iconic courts. In addition to 14 and under singles, 18 and under doubles and adult doubles draws, the categories also included wheelchair (adult and juniors), learning disability and visually impaired competitions. The national finals also saw the return of popular para-standing and deaf tennis exhibition matches held during the week. World No.1 wheelchair doubles partners and Vodafone ambassadors Alfie Hewett OBE and Gordon Reid OBE were in attendance to cheer on the players at SW19 and offer their experience and advice. 'We would have loved to have had something like this when we were younger and playing,' said Hewett. 'Play your Way to Wimbledon is a massive event for someone to pick up a racket for the first time or start playing again if they haven't for a while. 'It's about being active at grassroots level, making friends and new tennis partners and that is the beauty of events like this.' Reid added: 'We want tennis to be available and accessible to everybody and get as many people as possible enjoying the sport. 'This event encapsulates that perfectly and we're proud to be a part of it.' Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, is the UK's largest individual mass participation tennis competition. It is delivered by Vodafone, in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club, forming part of Vodafone's ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots tennis in the UK and making the sport more accessible for players of all ages and abilities.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Tennis ace delighted to win second title at Wimbledon
Thousands of players took part in the qualifying stages this year, leading to county and regional finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on Wimbledon's Aorangi Courts last week. Abassi won the men's wheelchair tennis competition, having also claimed the inaugural Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone title in 2023. Our grass courts are back in action 🤩 This week, they're hosting the Finals of Play Your Way to #Wimbledon, powered by @VodafoneUK 🎾 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) August 7, 2025 He said: "It's great the way Play Your Way is giving opportunity to the players from the regions and all disabilities. This is a great initiative, and I really admire the hospitality and the venue itself is very historic. Being a part of this family is incredible. 'Playing on these courts reminds you how the big names have been part of this venue, and we are a part of the same. It's an amazing feeling.' This year's tournament delivered over 10,000 playing opportunities with thousands of singles and doubles players taking part at 800 venues, leading to county and area finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on the All England Club's Aorangi Courts from 3 – 9 August 2025. The competition aims to broaden playing opportunities and to inspire people of all ages and abilities to play tennis and follow in the footsteps of their tennis heroes by competing for a chance to play on Wimbledon's iconic courts. In addition to 14 and under singles, 18 and under doubles and adult doubles draws, the categories also included wheelchair (adult and juniors), learning disability and visually impaired competitions. The national finals also saw the return of popular para-standing and deaf tennis exhibition matches held during the week. World No.1 wheelchair doubles partners and Vodafone ambassadors Alfie Hewett OBE and Gordon Reid OBE were in attendance to cheer on the players at SW19 and offer their experience and advice. 'We would have loved to have had something like this when we were younger and playing,' said Hewett. 'Play your Way to Wimbledon is a massive event for someone to pick up a racket for the first time or start playing again if they haven't for a while. 'It's about being active at grassroots level, making friends and new tennis partners and that is the beauty of events like this.' Reid added: 'We want tennis to be available and accessible to everybody and get as many people as possible enjoying the sport. 'This event encapsulates that perfectly and we're proud to be a part of it.' Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, is the UK's largest individual mass participation tennis competition. It is delivered by Vodafone, in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club, forming part of Vodafone's ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots tennis in the UK and making the sport more accessible for players of all ages and abilities.
Al-Ahram Weekly
16-05-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Eased tariffs, geopolitical risks fuel Egypt's gold export boom: Experts - Markets & Companies
Gold experts and traders told Ahram Online that eased tariffs and geopolitical tensions are behind the significant increase in Egyptian gold exports. According to a previous statement by Ihab Wasef, head of the Gold and Jewellery Division at the Metallurgical Industries Chamber of the Federation of Industries, gold exports hit $3.2 billion during the first quarter (1Q) of 2025. Global and regional geopolitical tensions and Trump's new tariffs have driven gold prices to significant surges, which caused a local increase of gold prices by about 24 percent since the beginning of the year until mid-May 2025. Egypt's ranking as a global jewellery exporter rose from 94th in 2022 to 54th by the end of 2023. Within two years, Egypt aspires to be ranked among the top ten jewellery exporters globally. Ahram Online spoke to experts about Egypt's prospects of achieving that target, given the ongoing challenges and the reasons behind the country's advancement in the gold exports rank. Reasons for the increase Rafik Abassi, the former head of the Gold and Jewellery Division at the Metallurgical Industries Chamber of the Federation of Industries, explained to Ahram Online that the current surge in gold jewellery exports results from nearly two years of exporting. Abassi added that exports increased after overcoming previous export obstacles, including valuation fees and the cancellation of the stamp duty. "Over the past few years, I have attempted to facilitate export activities by eliminating the valuation fee of one percent on the value of gold, which puts us at a disadvantage in foreign markets. I have also worked on abolishing the Egyptian stamp that importers do not favour," he explained. In a previous statement, Wassef attributed the exceptional performance to the significant rise in global demand for gold amid escalating geopolitical tensions and international trade wars. He added that these circumstances enhanced foreign markets' inclination towards gold as a haven, opening new opportunities for Egyptian producers to enter these markets. Furthermore, Wassef noted that the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) 's decision to extend the export proceeds payment period to 75 days helped increase export rates during the past period. He highlighted that the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are the top importers of Egyptian gold. Egyptian gold has also entered new markets in Europe and the United States. Urgent demands of gold exporters Abassi told Ahram Online that gold exports require additional measures, including allowing banks to lend to gold jewellery manufacturers at a two percent interest rate, like most countries worldwide. "Recently, I proposed that the Union of Egyptian Banks approve borrowing gold from banks outside Egypt at an interest rate of two percent to provide them with sufficient guarantees. The union would then lend it to us at an interest rate of 5 percent to facilitate the production process. This will undoubtedly have a significant impact on export activity." Abassi pointed out that in facilitating the export process for its producers, Turkey became the highest-ranking jewellery exporter in Europe, surpassing even Italy. On the other hand, Wassef told Ahram Online that the Gold and Jewellery Division will work on providing external marketing for Egyptian products to achieve the export target by 2027. Strong industry Abbasi explained that Egypt has "about 20 major producers capable of producing and competing globally and nearly 2000 small workshops that produce gold artefacts. These workshops can manufacture and export through other companies." Wassef, in turn, highlighted that the government substantially supports the sector in overcoming various obstacles facing production and export activities. Moreover, Abbassi confirmed that Egypt has outstanding designers and that Egyptian products appeal to various tastes in foreign markets. However, Wassef pointed out that the factories are not fully operational. He noted that operating at full production capacity would enable these factories to meet future demands. He also highlighted the importance of expanding investments in existing factories. In addition, Wassef indicated that the sector is working on qualifying trained labour to provide a factory workforce. This would increase the quantity of gold produced to meet the targets. Self-sufficiency of gold ore Wassef told Ahram Online that Egypt has achieved self-sufficiency in the raw gold factories needed for production. He explained that consumers' gold items are a primary source for obtaining the raw material used in manufacturing. Similarly, Gold market expert Amir Rizk told Ahram Online that the quantities of bullion and coins purchased in the local market over the past two years reflect the abundance of raw materials available in the market and of raw material itself. Meanwhile, Wassef anticipated that the sector would increase exports fourfold during the upcoming period, given its advantages in the gold jewellery industry, which enable it to compete in global markets. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Revealed: The Pro-Palestine teachers pushing Gaza agenda to colleagues or their pupils in Britain's schools
A primary school teacher who shared a conspiracy theory on Facebook that Mossad were behind the 9/11 attacks has shown pupils a video which accuses Israel of apartheid to 'educate them'. The case of Nazia Abassi is just one example unearthed by a Mail investigation that has discovered far-Left teachers proudly claiming to be sharing pro-Palestine materials in their schools. Others have taken part in hardline campaigns and protests against Israel. It comes after the National Education Union, Britain's largest teaching union, last week backed a motion accusing Israel of 'apartheid' and vowed to produce school resources that 'raise awareness' of the situation in Palestine. And NEU members in east London organised a conference last year called How To Talk About Palestine In Our Schools. Our investigation shows: A maths teacher standing for election to the NEU's governing body declared that he has introduced 'solidarity actions' in west London schools in support of Palestine; Several teachers have re-posted hard-Left articles on social media, including one from Socialist Worker which justified Hamas's October 7 terror attack, saying: 'The Palestinian people have every right to respond in any way they choose to the violence that the Israeli state metes out to them every day.' A religious education teacher in south-west London called the Hamas atrocity a 'justified act of resistance' and wrote that Hamas had 'committed no crime'. Ms Abassi, who is based in Hampshire, has publicly shared videos that push the conspiracy theory that Israel's intelligence agents were responsible for the New York 9/11 attacks and has also been teaching 'affluent' pupils at a private school about 'what Israel is doing to Palestine'. Ms Abassi – described online as a primary school teacher for more than 20 years – also last year reposted an image of an anti-Semitic mural of Jewish bankers playing Monopoly on the backs of the poor. There is no evidence to suggest Ms Abassi, who is not a member of the NEU, has campaigned outside school. Last night she declined to comment. Shadow education spokesman Laura Trott last night called on Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and union bosses to 'root out those behaving in this utterly reprehensible way'. Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel described our revelations as 'shocking', adding: 'Parents should be able to send their children to school without fear that their teachers will be indoctrinating them in Leftist ideologies.' Guidance was published in 2022 to ensure teachers do not promote 'partisan' views. But education sources say some are determined to spread Pro-Palestine views. Mat Milovanovic, a maths teacher at Northolt High School in west London, has boasted on an NEU election leaflet that he is 'proud to have built solidarity actions in Ealing schools and on the demonstrations in support of the Palestinians'. In February, he described on Instagram how he ran a workshop 'around Palestinian solidarity in our schools'. Earlier this month, the PSC posted a video of Sajia Iqbal (pictured), the NEU's former president in Redbridge and a teacher at Beale High School, clearing the shelves of a Sainsbury's store of Israeli food as part of the PSC's 'Don't Buy Apartheid' campaign Mr Milovanovic, who spoke at last year's NEU conference wearing a Palestinian shawl, or keffiyeh, declined to tell the Mail what 'solidarity actions' he has organised in schools. The NEU said his 'solidarity work' is with other teachers and not children. In Norwich, Andrea Abeyesinghe, 50, juggles her job as a science teacher at Northgate High School with chairing Norfolk's branch of the far-Left Palestine Solidarity Campaign. In January, she organised a protest against three Israeli competitors taking part in the World Indoor Bowls Championships, being held near Great Yarmouth. Ms Abeyesinghe insisted she does not push her political views in the classroom, adding: 'That's not part of our role as teachers.' Earlier this month, the PSC posted a video of Sajia Iqbal, the NEU's former president in Redbridge and a teacher at Beale High School, clearing the shelves of a Sainsbury's store of Israeli food as part of the PSC's 'Don't Buy Apartheid' campaign. She declined to comment last night. Alex Hearn of Labour Against Anti-Semitism, said: 'Increasingly the NEU appears to be dedicating itself to an extremist anti-Israeli ideology. They now appear to be directly encouraging members to break the law by encouraging teachers to adopt partisan political positions.' Lawyers for Israel said: 'Government policy is for there to be no political indoctrination in schools. The NEU is trying to persuade teachers to breach these laws.' The NEU said: 'Teachers know the responsibility they have towards the students and the need for calm, balanced and informed information to be given.' The Department for Education said: 'Children deserve to feel safe in school.'
