Dear Abu Dhabi Week,
Through the media, Dubai seems to be promoting the World Cup 2010 in a very big way, and from your weekly editorials I've not witnessed something similar here. Both E-Vision and du are out to make a quick buck charging an exorbitant price of approximately AED 646 for an event which lasts only a month. Dubai boasts many venues which will showcase this event at a nominal fee for residents – could you provide information where we could enjoy the FIFA World Cup games in Abu Dhabi?
Melwyn
Editor: See next week’s issue for a comprehensive guide to watching the World Cup.
We’ve also had a few letters and calls about the cards available from Al Jazeera Sports (which has the UAE rights to the World Cup). The cards slot into the Etisalat HD decoder. You can purchase online at www.aljazeerasport.net but it’s hard if you have no Arabic; an online translator like the one built into Firefox helps. Click the menu item that looks like a stack of cards to get started.
There’s also a ‘where to buy a card in person’ menu, but that is even more difficult to use if you have no Arabic (and no helpful Arabic-speaking friends). Otherwise, drive to Dubai; Eppco service stations sell the cards, and there’s one just over the border.
Your other option for watching at home is to plug a laptop into your TV and locate a free internet streaming TV service that includes the World Cup. A Google search should produce a few options, some of which require you to spend a small amount for a year’s access that includes the World Cup month; expect to pay something between $15 and $50 (most of these services are American). There are a couple of completely free services too, normally inviting a modest donation.
The guys in one of the computer stores should help you find the right cable. If you have a fairly recent laptop and a modern TV, you probably have HDMI connectors on both; that simplifies things greatly, since you only need one cable.
Dear Abu Dhabi Week,
I have noticed that the trees in the Formal Park on the Corniche and all along the Corniche itself are continually being pruned back. Why do they keep pruning the trees, when it would be much more pleasant to walk along shaded paths? When people use the park in the day they always try to find shaded areas.
Keith Walters
Dear Abu Dhabi Week,
Can you do an article on all the summer camps available for children here in Abu Dhabi?
Sharon Pais
Editor: It’s in hand – watch this space!
Thanks for doing a wonderful job out there! I am a Pakistani who was born in Abu Dhabi and I love what you guys are doing. I am wondering if I would be able to contribute to your magazine in any way. Also, can you list ladies-only swimming pools for membership?
Sanam Imran
Editor: Thank you for the kind words. We welcome contributions to the Thinking Allowed opinion column; drop me a line first to discuss what you want to say (mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). As for the ladies-only pools, the only one we know of is at the Abu Dhabi Ladies Club – 02 666 2228 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
