Latest news with #EasternProvince
Argaam
2 days ago
- Business
- Argaam
Eastern Province unveils Global Village Project with up to SAR 650M investments
The Eastern Province Municipality announced the 'Global Village Project", a major investment initiative in collaboration with a Thai investor, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. Spokesman Faisal Al-Zahrani said the project combines entertainment, tourism, culture, and commerce in a modern design, featuring 16 country-themed pavilions, each with a restaurant showcasing its national cuisine. The development will be built around a man-made lake, featuring a floating market and an open-air amphitheater with 7,000 seats, expandable to 10,000 for large events. Other attractions include a 17,000-square-meter (sqm) amusement park for all age groups, a large outdoor skating rink, global restaurants, and family-oriented activities, positioning the site as a key entertainment destination in the region. The project covers over 600,000 sqm of land and water, with phase one valued at SAR 200 million and total investment set to reach SAR 650 million, according to studies by the municipality and its investor partner.
The Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald
Academy has passion for building cricketers for the future
When he was four years old, Elnathan Meiri held a cricket bat for the first time and since then, he has been hooked on the sport. Fast forward a few years later, Meiri is now a passionate cricket coach and qualified educator. He started the Unicorn Academy in 2020 to give young cricketers the opportunities he was fortunate to have growing up. Having represented provincial teams such as the Eastern Province Colts and Northern Cape Heat Colts, he says his journey in the sport has been long and meaningful. The Unicorn Cricket Academy (formerly known as the Old Grey Cricket Academy) was established in 2020 during Covid, offering young cricketers a place to play cricket matches and train while school sport could not be played. The academy also creates a revenue stream for the Old Grey Cricket Club. What is your core service? We provide private and group coaching as well as match practice for young cricketers to play in a safe, fun, and educational environment and enjoy their cricket. This has enabled us to provide young cricketers with a unique cricket experience and fulfil our mission to foster a love and excitement for cricket in young cricketers. What makes your business unique? What truly sets us apart is that our coaches genuinely care about each player's development, both on and off the field. Every coach in our team has played cricket at a high level and brings valuable insight into what it takes to succeed at various stages, especially within school systems. We understand the specific skills required at each age and ability level, and tailor our approach accordingly. As an academy, we offer a full spectrum of cricketing opportunities: from skills training and mentorship to competitive match play, net sessions on turf pitches, and real-game experience that mirrors school and club structures. This holistic approach ensures that every cricketer's needs are met, whether they're just starting or aiming for provincial selection. How did you navigate your business during the pandemic and load-shedding? At our academy, we offer young cricketers the unique opportunity to play night matches, which are a highlight of our programme. However, load-shedding has often forced us to postpone or reschedule these games. We've learnt to adapt by planning flexibly, communicating clearly with parents, and making the most of available daylight hours. Like many small businesses, we've had to stay agile and solution-focused to keep operations running smoothly. If someone wanted to copy your business model, how would they start? They'd need a deep understanding of cricket coaching, a passion for youth development, strong community ties and a plan that balances professionalism with heart. Starting with one-on-one coaching to build trust and reputation is a good foundation. What are some of the biggest inhibitors your business faced before getting off the ground? One of the biggest challenges was learning how to operate a business while already being deeply involved in cricket as a player and coach. I had to learn many aspects of running a business on the job — from admin and finance to communication and planning. Another major hurdle was time management, as I was juggling my own playing career, coaching commitments and academic studies at the same time. It was a steep learning curve, but one that helped shape the academy's foundations. Do you have any tips for budding entrepreneurs or new business owners? My biggest advice is to pursue what you love — passion fuels perseverance. When you truly enjoy what you're doing, it becomes easier to show up consistently, even during the tough times. Consistency is key: small, focused efforts every day compound into long-term success. What are some of your biggest challenges in day-to-day business operations and your particular industry? Weather plays a massive role in our operations, as outdoor training is at the core of what we do. Maintaining high coaching standards every single day is another priority that requires careful planning. Communication with parents is also essential, as we need to confirm sessions, manage changes and keep everyone informed. On top of that, planning future bookings, organising matches, and developing new ideas to keep our offering fresh and exciting are ongoing challenges that require constant attention. What is the best advice anyone gave you on success? 'Birds of a feather flock together' — surround your environment with people who want to move forwards and add value. . How do you measure or define success in your business? For me, success is seeing our players improve — not just technically, but also in their confidence and love for the game. The true indicator is long-term: if our cricketers continue playing the sport and stay passionate as they grow, then we know we've had a positive impact. Our motto is 'Building Cricketers for the Future,' and everything we do is aligned with that vision — developing not just skills for today, but foundations for a lifelong journey in the game. What are some of the best practices that have made your business successful? One of our core practices is always being available for our customers — building trust with both parents and players is essential. We also focus on instilling 'gold medal behaviours' in our young athletes: discipline, respect, effort, and a winning attitude both on and off the field. Lastly, consistency in our coaching standards and in the way we operate has helped us build a strong, reliable reputation over time. What kind of advertising do you do? We advertise mainly through our social media platforms — Facebook and Instagram — under the handle @unicorncricketacademy. We also use WhatsApp broadcast lists to communicate directly with parents and clients. And of course, being based in Gqeberha, we rely heavily on word of mouth, which has been incredibly powerful in growing our community. What is your company's vision? Our vision is to build a wholesome cricketing community in Gqeberha — one where we support and guide players throughout their entire journey, from as young as five through to life after school, helping them reach the highest level of the game. We aim to create an environment where cricketers have access to quality coaching, the right equipment, and opportunities to learn from and shadow professional players. It's about developing well-rounded individuals and building a sustainable cricket culture in our city. What is your target market? Our target market is young schoolboys and girls between the ages of five and 13. This is a crucial stage for building fundamental skills, developing a love for the game, and setting the right habits early on in a cricketer's journey. What have some of your highlights been in running your business? One of our standout highlights was hosting our first eight-a-side tournament on March 21. The event was a huge success — we accommodated more than 100 young cricketers across 12 teams and three different age groups. It was an incredible day of fun, competition and community spirit. Another ongoing highlight is seeing our players grow in confidence and skill, playing the game with joy and purpose. Watching their development over time is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. We're also excited to announce that we'll be hosting another tournament on September 24, and we look forward to welcoming even more young players to experience competitive cricket in a fun and supportive environment. How important is social media and an online presence for your business? We've recently started placing more emphasis on building our social media and online presence, as we recognise the value it brings in terms of visibility and engagement. However, up until now, much of our growth has come through word of mouth — which speaks to the trust and satisfaction of our clients. Going forward, we aim to strengthen our digital footprint to reach more families and showcase the work we do. How many people do you employ? We currently have four dedicated coaches. Do you have any plans for expanding the business, and how would you go about this? Yes, we're excited to introduce a membership programme soon. This initiative will help us improve the quality and consistency of our Friday matches, host pop-up coaching clinics with professional cricketers and provide parents with discounts on cricket equipment. It will also allow us to give away prizes for our members — adding excitement and value to their experience. Most importantly, the membership model will help us keep coaching and match day prices as low as possible, ensuring the game remains accessible to more families while continuously raising the standard of our offering. 21. How did you acquire funding for the business? I initially used my personal savings to purchase cricket equipment and get the academy off the ground. Over time, we've also received support from local businesses — most notably ONE GOLF PE, who generously supplied our coaches with professional coaching shirts. Their contribution has helped us maintain a strong, unified image and continue delivering quality sessions. What is the biggest lesson you've learnt from your business journey so far? The biggest lesson I've learnt is that if you take care of your product and always give your best, the rest will take care of itself. Consistency, effort and staying true to your purpose go a long way in building something meaningful and lasting. What have been the greatest challenges and advantages of running your business in Gqeberha? I love Gqeberha, and one of the things I appreciate most is how 'small' and connected it feels — word spreads quickly, and people notice when you're being genuine. That sense of community can be incredibly powerful. The greatest advantage of running a business here is definitely the people. If you offer a good product and stay consistent, the trust and support you receive from the community is unmatched. That said, Gqeberha being a smaller city means that our numbers can fluctuate depending on the season, especially with school schedules, holidays and weather. It requires flexibility and planning, but the supportive nature of the community makes it worthwhile. What would you say are the three key traits of a successful entrepreneur? Passion, consistency and a strong work ethic. What would you say are the key traits of a successful employer? A successful employer is empathetic and leads by example. They should never ask employees to do something they wouldn't be willing to do themselves. Being hands-on, approachable and always willing to assist where needed builds trust, respect and a positive working environment. What should people know about your industry? Cricket is a lifelong sport that teaches young players valuable life skills such as patience, discipline, resilience and teamwork. What many people don't realise is that the best way to succeed in cricket is to play for the love of the game — passion fuels growth. It's also a mentally challenging sport, where failure is part of the process. That's what makes success in cricket so rewarding — because it's earned through perseverance in a game built around overcoming setbacks. The Herald
Arab News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Manga Productions empowers Saudi voice actors with dubbing contest
JEDDAH: Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Misk Foundation, has launched the Saudi Dialects Dubbing Contest to empower local voice talent and highlight the Kingdom's linguistic diversity. The initiative aims to create audio content that reflects Saudi society by celebrating its rich regional dialects, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The contest features scenes from the hit animated series 'Asateer2: Future's Folktales,' which has gained international acclaim with more than 150 million views across five continents and eight platforms. Participants are invited to dub using dialects from regions such as AlUla, Hail, Makkah, Jeddah, the Eastern Province, Qassim, Asir, Tabuk, and Jazan. The four-week contest will run through digital challenges, with active public participation on social media. The company aims to train aspiring voice actors under the guidance of its professional team. Outstanding contestants will be invited to join future Manga Productions projects, further boosting local creative talent. Sara Waldaddah, head of the creative department at Manga Productions, said the initiative aligns with the company's mission to support national talent and highlight Saudi Arabia's cultural and linguistic richness. She said that scenes from 'Asateer2: Future's Folktales' are ideal for the contest, as the series celebrates Saudi heritage through stories that reflect national values and encourage voice acting in native dialects. Waldaddah added that the goal is to transform this linguistic diversity into a creative force that reinforces the Kingdom's cultural identity and shares it with regional and global audiences. Abdulaziz Al-Muaina, head of marketing and communications at Manga Productions, highlighted the Kingdom's rich geographical and cultural diversity reflected in its many dialects. He said that the contest aims to showcase this diversity by providing a platform for Saudi voice talents to creatively celebrate the Kingdom's beauty and generosity. Participants are invited to submit voice recordings in local Saudi dialects by choosing a scene and uploading entries at Use of AI tools for voice generation or editing is strictly prohibited to ensure authentic submissions.
Argaam
3 days ago
- Business
- Argaam
NADEC CEO says dividend policy tied to strategy, operations
Solaiman Altwaijri, CEO of National Agricultural Development Co. (NADEC), said the cash dividend decision depends on several strategic and operational factors, mainly the company's current stage and future funding requirements. He explained in an interview with Argaam that since NADEC is undergoing an expansion phase, financial resources are currently directed toward executing its growth plans. Altwaijri added that the company's outlook for the remainder of 2025 remains aligned with its strategic and operational roadmap and that no major developments are anticipated. He said Q2 2025 net profit rose on the back of a 5.1% year-on-year (YoY) increase in net revenue, driven by growth in new business segments, and although operating costs rose due to higher fuel expenses, this was offset by a 23% YoY increase in treasury income. Commenting on the protein segment, Altwaijri stated that the red meat business, a recent addition, generated SAR 59 million in net revenue during Q2, marking a 35% YoY growth, while profitability indicators remained stable. He noted that the dairy and food segment remained the top revenue contributor at 89%, followed by the protein segment at 7% and agriculture at 4%. Altwaijri also pointed out that the Central and Eastern Provinces recorded the strongest demand during Q2, with both seeing significant sales growth.
The Herald
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
CSA mourns death of Zed Ndamane
Cricket SA is mourning the death of Zama Thembekile Ndamane, affectionately known as Zed, who died aged 61 in Gqeberha on Saturday. At the time of his passing, Ndamane was a senior CSA match referee and valuable member of the Betway SA20 match referee panel. 'His dedication to the sport was evident throughout his career, which included serving as an umpire on the CSA first-class panel. 'His impact extended far beyond his official duties,' CSA said in a release. 'He was a highly respected match official and a dedicated mentor to a new generation of umpires, generously sharing his knowledge and passion for the game.' Over his career, Ndamane officiated in an impressive 243 matches, standing in eight Women's One-Day Internationals (ODIs). He became a trailblazer after starting his umpiring career as an amateur in the Eastern Province league cricket structure. He made history as the first black African umpire since unity was forged in 1991 to be selected onto the first-class panel, and subsequently, the first black African appointed to the CSA match referee panel. He also contributed to the sport as the cricket services manager for the Gauteng Cricket Board before venturing into the business world. His death comes just months after the loss of his wife, Thulani. Ndamane leaves behind two daughters. He will be laid to rest in Gqeberha on Saturday. — CSA corporate communications
