Sport in the UAE

Above - Soccer supporters are fanatical here. UAE fans celebrating their win of the Arabian Cup Final.

Above - Camel in back of ute on the way to Camel race. Just don't get caught down wind!

Above - Dubai to a 'tee', Magnificent golf course with expanding city in the background. note all the cranes.

Above - Tiger Woods playing his 3rd shot on the 18th, par 5 in the Dubai desert Classic. only 2 blades of grass stopped this rolling back into the water.

Above - Tiger rushing to meet Nick for some tips.

Above - Dreamer, Nick with Winner's trophy. Nice backpack, could i look any more like a tourist?

So, sports in the UAE. If you love Soccer (football), you'll be in heaven here. it appears on 2 out of every three channels and plays games from all over the world.

Last week i was driving home, the streets were packed with cars and people, everyone had their hazard lights on and the young Arabs were doing burnouts and 'bunny hops' down the main streets. They had their passengers hanging out the windows and sunroofs and the police were happily watching and cheering the events. UAE had just beaten Oman in the final of the Arabian Cup, 1-0. i australia the odd fanatical supporter may paint an old Datsun 120 with their team colours. Here, nearly everyone spraypaints the UAE coulrs and flags on their 4x4's, Hummers, Lexus, sports cars and anything else that moves.

Most streets have local kids playing soccer or cricket on the gravelly nature strips or parks and most carparks of Mosques are filled with Pakistan and Indian adults playing cricket.

I was doing a site inspection at one of the parks and came across a couple of local Pakistan kids playing cricket. they had the tennis ball taped one side and all for a bit of extra swing. they couldn't understand what i said, but got the gesture to give me a bowl. The client with me (from Lebanon found this amusing, he had no idea about cricket). I told the kids i was Brett Lee..giggles from the kids. Came in from the run up, pitched a beauty just outside off and...got smashed by and 11 year old. Second ball, told them I was Shane Warne... more giggles.. short run up, bit of wrist action, pitched outside leg, came across, (not unlike the famous Warne / Gating ball),...got smashed for 4 more runs. I gestured my arm was sore, and threatened the kids with some 'chin music' next time.

Went t Dubai yesterday for my weekend. the Dubai desert Classic was on, and this was a rare chance to go and watch the great Tiger Woods and others in action. I arrived in Dubai, was lost immediately, and after half an hour driving in circles, finally gave a taxi driver 40dhs o take me to the Emirates Golf Course. I was so lucky to arrive as Tiger Woods, Miguel Jimenez and some other guys were being announced. I followed the group for the day and saw some great golf. What an experience. Got to see Norman in his last professional event also.

Another huge sport here is camel racing. The camel is revered in the UAE, there is big money to be won on races and as an owner. I haven't been to a race meet , but plan to do this over the coming month or so.

I have been caught behind a ute / small truck a couple of times now where a camel has been transported. Warning to any new comers in the UAE - Avoid this at any cost. The smell is horrendous!! I still have remnants in my car as if the thing was sitting in my back seat.

Other sports unique to the UAE include - hunting with Falcons. This is fairly restricted to the royals and their underlings, but is a tradition still kept. 4x4 motocross is huge amongst the younger generation here too. They all have the quad bikes towing behind their Lexus, Hummer or Pajero, and take them into the sand dunes for some action. Ice hockey is popular in Al Ain too. there is 2 ice rinks, and the junior (6-8 year olds) got a write up for winning some games. Ski Dubai has been operating in the UAE for a short time and skiing and snowboarding (indoors of course) is very popular.