On the back of a difficult 2024-25 campaign that saw them slump to a 24-58 record and miss the play-offs, the Philadelphia 76ers are in Abu Dhabi, looking to get their pre-season off to a positive start when they take on the New York Knicks in a double-header at Etihad Arena this week.
Some injuries still cast a shadow over the team, with former MVP Joel Embiid and nine-time All-Star Paul George yet to confirm a return date and Jared McCain suffering a UCL tear in his right shooting hand. But the Sixers were in good spirits as they gave 150 kids an experience of a lifetime during a basketball clinic at NYU Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Embiid, who had ice wrapped around his recovering knee at the start, was joined by George, Tyrese Maxey, Adem Bona and the rest of the Sixers squad, who put the children through their paces during the 60-minute workout.
“It was awesome,” Bona told The National on the sidelines of the clinic. “It’s really amazing to be able to help the kids, to see the excitement in their eyes.
“They were really excited to be here and, also, we just have to match the energy, bring the same similar energy they bring. Helping out, showing that we care, representing the NBA and the Philadelphia 76ers is really important to us, so it was a great experience.”
For a fourth consecutive year, the NBA has brought two teams to play preseason games in the UAE capital, thanks to a multi-year deal between the league and the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi.
The partnership is multifaceted and includes grass roots initiatives, talent development, and direct interaction between the Abu Dhabi youth and NBA players in settings like the clinic conducted on Tuesday.
For the players, the trip to Abu Dhabi is a crucial part of their preparations for the new season, and it gives them a chance to square off with a team that made the Eastern Conference finals in their last campaign.
“It’s really important for us. This trip is going to be a huge factor for the team,” said Bona. “It helps with team bonding, we get to spend more time together.
“We’re out here playing the New York Knicks, it’s a really important game for our pre-season, so it’s really important getting to spend time with the team, build our team bonding, build the team chemistry ahead of the season.
“It’s also amazing that we get to do it in Abu Dhabi here, learn the new culture of the people here and also the way of life here so it’s an amazing trip for us.”
The 22-year-old Bona is entering his sophomore season with the Sixers, who drafted the Nigerian-born Turkish centre last year.
With injuries plaguing Philadelphia all season, Bona was called upon during his rookie year way more than was initially expected and he ended up taking part in 58 of the 82 regular season games.
In the last month of the 2024-25 campaign, he averaged 29.5 minutes on the court, and an impressive 13.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
“I would say the most important thing that was said to me was being patient,” said Bona of the most valuable advice he received after getting drafted.
“Patience is key, you never know when you’re going to be called upon, you just got to be ready and stay patient whenever you get called.
“It definitely doesn’t come easily. Patience is really hard but I believe that when you wait and stay patient, the end result you feel more fulfilling and more thrilled because after the end it pays off and you feel more grateful.”
Bona is coming off of a big summer, where he was part of the Turkey squad that clinched the silver medal at the EuroBasket championship two weeks ago.
His teammates, like Maxey, and Sixers coach Nick Nurse can already see the progress he has made over the summer, both technically and physically, and Bona agrees that his national team experience was invaluable.
“It definitely did help. The EuroBasket is one of the biggest competitions, the biggest stage in basketball in Europe so it was really exciting for me to be there, to experience that moment, to play with my teammates,” said Bona.
“Most of the guys there, I’ve been playing with them since I was younger so it was a good experience but for my basketball confidence, it helped a lot.
“Playing a high-stake game like the quarter-finals, playing the knockout games where you know every player matters, that was really good for me.
“Just kind of also set the platform for me going to the NBA, playing in the play-offs where like every single player matters so it’s really exciting.”
The Sixers will take on the Knicks in Game 1 on Thursday at 8pm local time and in Game 2 on Saturday at 7pm.
The years Ramadan fell in MayUAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsZayed Sustainability PrizeUAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsThe five pillars of IslamMohammed bin Zayed MajlisWhy does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
More on animal traffickingMore from Neighbourhood Watch:The five pillars of IslamCompany%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hoopla%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jacqueline%20Perrottet%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2010%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20required%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The Bio
Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Author: CJ Sansom
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
Favourite food: A Sunday roast
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsThe years Ramadan fell in MayFrom exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the ‘De Vernufteling’ people’s choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
Killing of Qassem SuleimaniMohammed bin Zayed MajlisZayed Sustainability PrizeElectric scooters: some rules to remember
Riders must be 14-years-old or over
Wear a protective helmet
Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
Do not drive outside designated lanes
Killing of Qassem SuleimaniOther workplace saving schemes
The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
The design
The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.
More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.
The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.
The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.
A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.
Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.
Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.
Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.
From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.
Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019.
Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ogram%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Karim%20Kouatly%20and%20Shafiq%20Khartabil%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20On-demand%20staffing%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2050%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMore%20than%20%244%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20round%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%2C%20Aditum%20and%20Oraseya%20Capital%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
More from Rashmee Roshan LallVolvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsLabour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
– Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
MATCH INFO
Champions League last 16, first leg
Tottenham v RB Leipzig, Wednesday, midnight (UAE)
Points to remember
Debate the issue, don’t attack the person
Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you’re losing control or when there’s anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
Listen actively without interrupting
Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
About Seez
Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017
Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer
Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon
Sector: Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing
Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed
Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round – in the process of closing Series A
Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds
MATCH INFO
Sheffield United 2 Bournemouth 1
United: Sharp (45 2′), Lundstram (84′)
Bournemouth: C Wilson (13′)
Man of the Match: Jack O’Connell (Sheffield United)
The years Ramadan fell in MayMohammed bin Zayed MajlisMohammed bin Zayed MajlisSly%20Cooper%20and%20the%20Thievius%20Raccoonus
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sucker%20Punch%20Productions%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sony%20Computer%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%202%20to%205%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition
Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
RESULT
Fifth ODI, at Headingley
England 351/9
Pakistan 297
England win by 54 runs (win series 4-0)