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    Lionel Messi’s historic FIFA World Cup jerseys to be auctioned at Sotheby’s

    Emirates Man

    by Ruman Baig
    1 hour ago

    In an exciting move in the world of sports memorabilia, Sotheby’s is set to auction a remarkable collection of six match-worn shirts donned by football legend Lionel Messi during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
    Expected to become the most valuable sports memorabilia collection ever sold, these jerseys, worn in the Final, Semi-final, Quarter-final, Round of 16, and key Group Stage matches, provide fans and collectors a tangible link to Messi’s triumphant journey.
    The auction, orchestrated by US-based tech startup AC Momento, showcases Sotheby’s role in the thriving sports memorabilia market. Attracting a new wave of collectors, more than 50% of bidders and buyers are newcomers to Sotheby’s, with half under the age of 40.
    The auction house, known for setting benchmarks with memorabilia from icons like Michael Jordan, Diego Maradona, Kobe Bryant, and Tom Brady, recently earned the title of The Official Game Worn Source of the NBA.

    This momentous event marks the one-year anniversary of Messi’s historic World Cup victory. After captivating the world with a stellar performance, Messi and Argentina triumphed over defending champions France in what is widely regarded as the greatest football match of all time. The shirts, meticulously preserved by AC Momento, are now estimated to fetch over $10 million in the upcoming auction.
    Beyond the excitement of the auction, there’s a philanthropic touch. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the UNICAS Project, a collaboration between Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children’s Hospital and the Leo Messi Foundation. This initiative aims to support children suffering from rare diseases, building on the foundation’s existing work with the SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cancer Center.
    From November 30 to December 14, the public will have the opportunity to view this extraordinary collection at Sotheby’s New York in a free exhibition. The shirts, steeped in the history of Messi’s monumental achievement, serve not only as coveted collector’s items but also contribute to a noble cause.
    As the auction unfolds, all eyes are on whether Messi’s jerseys will surpass the current sports memorabilia records. Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey holds the top spot at $10.1 million, followed closely by Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ shirt, which sold for $9.3 million. Sotheby’s, a trailblazer in the realm of sports memorabilia, is once again poised to make history with this iconic collection from the world’s greatest football player.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Instagram @lionelmessi More

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    Moroccan footballer makes history by wearing hijab at a World Cup

    Life

    by Ruman Baig
    3 hours ago

    Nouhaila Benzina made history at the World Cup as the first woman to wear a hijab during a match.
    She joined the Moroccan national team for the second group stage match, playing a crucial role in the defense, and her milestone received global attention.
    FIFA’s previous ban on hijabs in tournaments makes this moment even more significant. Benzina proudly wears the hijab in both training and matches, acknowledging its importance.
    Recently, she expressed her immense pride for doing what she loves without compromising on her beliefs, “I am very proud to wear the hijab.”

    With her presence on the pitch, Morocco secured a vital 1-0 victory over South Korea, marking their first win at a Women’s World Cup. The team’s focus is now on advancing to the next round, with a closely contested match against Colombia for the second spot in the group standings. It’s noteworthy that Morocco is one of eight teams making their debut at this summer’s tournament.
    Morocco achieved an early breakthrough during the match with their first World Cup goal in the sixth minute, courtesy of striker Ibtissam Jraïdi. Hanane Aït El Haj provided a well-executed cross from the right, and Jraïdi skillfully headed the ball into the net at the far post.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Image: Instagram @benzinahouhaila More

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    Anoud Al-Asmari becomes Saudi Arabia’s first international female referee

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    2 hours ago

    Saudi women are continuing to break barriers globally, especially in the world of sports.
    By making the nation proud, Anoud Al-Asmari has become the first Saudi international female football referee to receive the international badge from the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) according to the list announced by The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) published on Thursday on Twitter.

    الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم يعتمد قائمة الحكام السعوديين الدوليين لعام 2023 🔽 pic.twitter.com/MSnlsM5Gom
    — الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم (@saudiFF) January 5, 2023

    The list of Saudi international referees for 2023 released titles for eight arena referees, nine assistant referees and six video referees with a futsal referee, making Al-Asmari the only woman on the list.
    This announcement came one year after the KSA’s women’s football team won its first-ever international match, making history. The Greens Team witness a victorious moment as they won their first international game with Seychelles in February 2022.

    As one for the books, this historical moment also received an official congratulations from the renowned football player Péle on his personal Twitter account.
    By hoping to see more Saudi women compete in sports and reach professional levels globally, the leaders are taking all the necessary steps to ensure, women receive adequate representation and are change agents for future generations and bring about new reforms in line with the Kingdom’s 2030 vision.
    Saudi’s first women’s football league
    In November 2020, The Kingdom officially launched its first women’s football league after a lengthy postponement due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. With a total of 24 teams with over 600 players in different cities in the country, including Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh.
    Per the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA), the league aims “to empower women to encourage them to become active and to participate in sports at the community level.”
    A big kudos to Saudi Arabia’s first female referee for paving the way for women in the future!
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied  More

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    FIFA World Cup 2022: Where to watch in Dubai

    Emirates Man

    by Dan Robinson
    2 hours ago

    World Cup fever is officially underway.
    Set to take place in Qatar, many hotels and flights are already selling out. So, you might ask yourself where you can watch the games on the big screen here in Dubai.
    Whether you will be hardcore watching every game, supporting your favourite team, or just wanting to join the festivities. The energy will undoubtedly be undeniable as we witness this landmark in the Middle East and football history.
    With only three months before the kick-off on November 20, 2022, venues have already started selling tickets for VIP fan zones and general admissions.
    Below, we list the top places below to get in early and make a booking.

    – For more on how to look smart and live smarter, follow Emirates Man on Instagram
    Images: Instagram.com  More

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    Are you game? Inside the new state-of-the-art sports centre in Downtown Dubai

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    1 minute ago

    A new state-of-the-art sports centre has just opened its doors right in the heart of Downtown Dubai.
    With an expansive space of over 80,000 sq ft, Ballers is an all-encompassing space aiming to attract like-minded individuals all with a similar passion for sport.
    Featuring top-tier professional football and rugby pitches, a boutique gym, a bespoke multipurpose studio and up to six padel courts, there’s no other centre like it in Dubai.

    With the growing padel tennis community in the UAE, this luxe new facility offers a state-of-the-art Padel Tennis Academy with both private and group coaching sessions. Members can opt for 60 minutes for an individual class and 90 minutes for a group class.
    For those who wish to unwind after a long day, there will be a host of meditation classes including yoga and rhythmic breathing sessions to improve daily concentration levels.
    To ensure athletes and members are offered the best facilities, each court uses Mondo artificial turf, created with non-toxic materials to enhance performance and control ball bounce. As the only certified ISO 9001 training facility, the football pitch features 20mm shock pads for a better playing experience and a cooler playing surface due to the EPDM infill.

    Access to the facilities such as the padel tennis courts for members start from Dhs450 for 90 minutes and for football 5-a-side starts for Dhs1,000 for groups. The sessions come with padel coaching for individuals or groups of up to four people.
    This all-in-one experience includes a plethora of sports including a place to dine, relax and unwind with friends and family, adding to its mission of enhancing Dubai’s sporting community.
    This sporting facility is open daily from 6am to 12am with an on-site car park for members’ ease and views surrounding Downtown Dubai.
    For more information visit ballers.ae
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied  More