Latest news with #IrfanMohammed
Qatar Tribune
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Bologan wins QCA's blitz and rapid chess held at Hyatt Plaza
Tribune News Network Doha The Qatar Chess Association (QCA) conducted local open blitz and rapid chess tournament concluded at the Hyatt Plaza Mall successfully with the participation of approximately 120 players. The nine-round Swiss-style blitz competition saw GM Victor Bologan emerge as the winner, followed by Qatari national team star and former world champion Jo Chen in second place, and John Jobsy in third. Irfan Mohammed won the Best Qatari Player award, while Layan Al Qassabi was Best Qatari Female Player. Gerbi was named Best Qatari Under-20 Player. In the Under-16 category, which saw the participation of 100 players, and which used the seven-round rapid chess format saw Qatar's Irfan Mohammed win the event. Paranav Pardeep of India was second, followed by his compatriot Ayyappan Ashwath Narayanan in third place, and Apil Sajan in fourth. Mohammed Jarbi was the Best Qatari Player and Rawda Al Qassabi Best Qatari Female Player. Turki Bawazir won the award for Best Qatari Player under 14, Lujain Al Fahdawi as the Best Qatari Female Player under 12, Khaled Al Ziyara Best Qatari Player under 10, and Abdulaziz Al Mahasneh Best Qatari Player under 8. India's Apil Sajan won the award for Best Player while Sunil Kurup was Best Player in the Qatar Chess Federation's Training Center's category. Hamad Al Tamimi, Executive Director of the Qatar Chess Association, said, 'The association seeks to develop chess culture by hosting it in shopping malls to advance the sport, especially as QCA is preparing to organize the World Cup later this year.'
Khaleej Times
22-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Birthdays, appointments, meetings, all rescheduled for India-Pakistan clash
Indian and Pakistani expats in the UAE are putting their weekend plans on hold as the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash at the ICC Champions Trophy takes centre stage on Sunday. From birthdays and family gatherings to business meetings and even doctor's appointments, everything is being rescheduled to make way for the game. For Sharjah based Pakistani expat Irfan Mohammed, missing the match was never an option. 'We had a team bonding session planned for Sunday afternoon. I was thinking of an excuse when my boss himself postponed it. It turns out he realized no one was coming anyway.' Even medical appointments aren't spared. A general physician in Karama said multiple patients called to reschedule their check-ups. 'They just say they have 'personal reasons,' but let's be honest, it's because of the match.' Many personal events are also being moved. Amit Verma, an Indian expat in Bur Dubai, said, 'My daughter's birthday was planned for Sunday, but we moved it to today." Another Indian expat Nazia Khan faced a similar situation. 'We had a big family reunion lined up, but my brothers refused to come. We've now shifted it to next weekend—because, of course, cricket comes first.' Indians and Pakistanis together constitute around 55 of the UAE population, with Indians making up about 38% Pakistanis around 16.72%. While many are rearranging their schedules to watch from home or restaurants, thousands are heading to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, having secured tickets well in advance. 'We booked a block of seats the moment sales opened,' said Rizwan Ahmed, a Pakistani expat attending with his colleagues. 'It's a once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere. You just don't miss this.' Tickets sold out within minutes, and with demand far outstripping supply, resale prices have skyrocketed. Originally priced at Dh500, general admission tickets were listed for as much as Dh3,500 on various platforms. 'A friend of mine got a ticket for Dh800 last month. That same ticket is now going for Dh4,000,' said an Indian expat. For those unable to get stadium tickets, Dubai's cinemas and restaurants are stepping up to create a stadium-like atmosphere. VOX and Reel Cinemas screening the match at Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and Burjuman, with tickets priced from Dh42 to Dh95 per person. Roxy Cimemas also host live screenings at Dubai Hills Mall, The Beach JBR, and City Walk. Restaurants are pulling out all the stops to recreate the match-day experience. Raza Iqbal owner of Desi Village Restaurant & Café in Al Garhoud said they have set up massive screens and decked out the venue in team colours. 'We have got a Dh149 minimum spend, and staff will be in team jerseys,' he said. The cricket fever went up a notch when Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was spotted grabbing a bite at Raju Omlet in Business Bay on Friday, sending fans into a frenzy. 'I was just picking up my breakfast when I saw Rohit walk in,' said an excited fan, Priya Menon. 'Forget food, I just wanted a selfie.'
