Latest news with #KhalidAlZarooni
The National
04-07-2025
- The National
This teenage Emirati real estate broker has already sold a million dirham house
Khalid Al Zarooni, 18, is considered to be one of the youngest licenced agents in Dubai
The National
04-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Teenage Emirati real estate broker aims high after selling Dh2.3m worth of homes
An 18-year-old Emirati who became one of the youngest licensed real estate brokers in Dubai has reflected on what it took to achieve so much at such an early stage of his career. Khalid Al Zarooni, a recent high school graduate, was inspired by his father, a seasoned real estate expert and company owner. 'I followed in my father's footsteps. I used to go with him to the company and listened carefully to his tips,' Mr Al Zarooni told The National. While many of his peers are preparing for university, Mr Al Zarooni is balancing life as a student and a professional broker. He launched his own business, KBW Perfumery, when he was 16 while attending Al Salam Community School in Dubai. In May last year at the age of 17, he signed up for the Dubai Real Estate Broker Programme, launched to boost local representation in the sector, and got his licence just days later. The national programme aims to allocate between 10 per cent and 15 per cent of units to be sold by Emirati brokers. How did the programme help? 'I wanted to be an entrepreneur from a young age. I love business and will continue my academic studies in business or property management,' he said. 'My father told me about the programme and encouraged me to enrol. I was accepted and was trained by professionals and experts in real estate,' he said. 'It is a free programme that has so many advantages. It allows you to be a part-time broker.' For those looking for full-time work in the sector, the programme also helps secure employment at an estate agency. After obtaining his brokerage licence after his three days of training, Mr Al Zarooni joined his father's company W Capital real estate. By May this year, he had sold two Dubai apartments – one to an Emirati and the other to an investor from outside the Emirates. 'I closed two deals for a one-bedroom and two bedrooms at the Rabdhan Gates projects in Dubai with a total value of Dh2.3 million,' he said. Tips to get to the top Dubai Land Department announced on Sunday that Emiratis interested in joining the programme can now register on its official website. This follows strong interest since its launch, with the department calling on developers and brokers to get involved by presenting their proposals and initiatives for further success. The number of qualified Emirati brokers has reached more than 180 per cent of the annual target. Real estate transactions exceeding Dh500 million have been registered and 231 new real estate brokerage firms have been licensed from the programme's launch through the end of April this year, official figures show. Mr Al Zarooni believes that Emirati youths are capable of excelling if given the right opportunities and support. 'I'm grateful to my family support,' he said. 'I dedicated time outside school to enter the real estate sector. Young Emiratis can work in any sector and succeed.' A good real estate broker should have a lot of connections and be aware of new off-plan projects, Mr Al Zarooni added. 'The most important thing is to be honest with clients in this sector. I hope to be a well-known name in real estate brokerage in Dubai,' he added.
The National
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The National
Kuwait hope ILT20 link up will mark ‘momentous' shift in cricket landscape in the region
When the DP World International League T20 first mooted plans to expand its footprint around the region, the likely destinations seemed obvious. There is already a scenic, well-appointed cricket venue in Muscat, where Oman have one-day international status. Saudi Arabia, too, has big plans for the sport, and a rapidly growing expat community of cricket lovers, albeit without a stadium with grass as yet. Doha has an international cricket venue that has hosted star names of the international game in the past. It also has a ready audience of fans, particularly from South Asia. Instead, the UAE franchise competition's first link up is with a country whose entire programme has to schedule playing time on its one grass cricket facility. Last week, the ILT20 announced an agreement with Kuwait Cricket. It said it will organise matches in the country which will be aimed at identifying and developing players. That includes plans to stage a development tournament similar to the one in Dubai which helps the six ILT20 franchises select local players for their squads. The organisers also stated that, 'in the coming years, the league will also aim to host ILT20 matches in Kuwait'. 'Kuwait is very important to us; it is a great country and keen on promoting and further developing cricket,' Khalid Al Zarooni, the chairman of the ILT20, said. 'Kuwait and the rest of the Gulf countries are all one. [Cricket playing] communities are residing throughout the region and our aim with the DP World ILT20 is to grow and develop the game in the entire region.' The link up is an acknowledgement for the strides the country has made in the sport. Imperceptibly, Kuwait have been making a mark in the game in recent times. They have reached number 23 in the T20I world standings. That is the third best of any side in the Gulf region, behind the two most established sides – the UAE and Oman. It also puts them above sides like Hong Kong, Kenya and Bermuda, who have held ODI status in the past. Last winter, they fell two runs short of what would have been a statement win, when they lost to the UAE in the final of the Gulf T20I Championship at Dubai International Stadium. Frustrated as they were by failing to close out what would have been their biggest success to date, coach Qasim Ali said that game was a sign of the progress they are making. 'It would've been great for the lads and great for the country because UAE are a powerhouse in the GCC,' Qasim said. 'To beat them in their own backyard in their stadium, which the lads have never played in, would've been a momentous achievement for our side. 'Obviously, it was a little bit personal for me as well, but that comes secondary in terms of what we're trying to achieve. It would've been brilliant, but I think UAE have realised that we've gone up a few gears as well.' It was 'personal' for Qasim because he has a strong affinity with UAE cricket himself. He helped develop a number of the leading players in the country in his former role at head coach at the ICC Academy in Dubai, and remains a resident of the city. Over the past 18 months he has helped push Kuwaiti cricket forward. Now he believes the link up with the ILT20 can help fast forward the progress. 'Without a shadow doubt, this is a huge moment in the landscape of GCC cricket,' he said. 'This is fantastic for Kuwait Cricket, and everybody associated with Kuwait, past, present and future. 'It really sets the milestone for where we are headed strategically, to partner with ILT20. It allows our players to come and demonstrate their skills in a professional franchise environment, which none of our lads have been involved in. 'To have a development programme in Kuwait itself, backed by ILT20, is a huge achievement. We cannot overstate how important this will be for our players locally.' The coach said the partnership is the result of 'a lot of hard work' by Kuwait Cricket's president Haider Farman and secretary general Sajid Ashraf. 'It opens the door to a long-awaited dream: enabling our Kuwait players to pursue full-time professional cricket careers on the international franchise stage,' Ashraf said. Ashraf hopes it will help drive investment, saying there is a cricket-loving community of two million people in Kuwait, in a country of five million. 'This initiative provides a unique opportunity for Kuwaiti brands to expand their footprint regionally, starting with the UAE,' Ashraf said. 'We are deeply passionate about our Kuwaiti businesses becoming an integral part of both [Kuwait Cricket] and the DP World ILT20. 'These well-established corporations in Kuwait have so much to offer in supporting the continued growth of cricket across the region.' While the facilities for the sport in Kuwait are some way behind the UAE and Oman at present, Qasim is hopeful they will see ILT20 matches there at some point soon. 'It would be fantastic for our fan base, players, administrators, local businesses to see some of the best stars coming over to Kuwait,' the coach said. 'We're a little way off from that, but I would love to see that sooner rather than later. Obviously there are other countries in the region who've probably got a ready-made set-up. 'If we could get something in Kuwait to back up the development programme, and some of our players going into the auction and being picked by the franchises, maybe some of the coaches, that would be a big success for us.'
Al Bawaba
20-06-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
DP World International League T20 and Kuwait Cricket Board enter strategic partnership for growth of the sport in Kuwait
The DP World International League T20 and the Kuwait Cricket Board have entered an exciting partnership for the growth of the sport in Kuwait. Through the partnership the DP World ILT20 will organise cricket matches in the country which will be aimed at identifying and developing the participating agreement between the Kuwait Cricket Board and DP World ILT20 was inked at a signing ceremony organised recently at the Dubai International Stadium. As per the agreement, a domestic event like the DP World ILT20 UAE Development Tournament, will be conducted annually in Kuwait to provide the players from Kuwait an opportunity to get selected by ILT20 franchises for the main DP World ILT20 event. In the coming years, the league will also aim to host DP World ILT2o matches in Kuwait. Chairman ILT20 and Vice-Chairman Emirates Cricket Board Khalid Al Zarooni: 'We are very proud to announce our collaboration with Kuwait Cricket Board as they join our league [DP World ILT20]. It is a great honour for us, and we look forward to many more such collaborations in the future. Kuwait is very important to us; it is a great country and keen on promoting and further developing cricket. 'Kuwait and the rest of the Gulf countries are all one, the [cricket playing] communities are residing throughout the region and our aim with the DP World ILT20 is to grow and develop the game in the entire region. Our endeavour is to provide maximum opportunities to the players and for the fans to join us at this great tournament which we are trying to grow more and more.'President Kuwait Cricket Haider Farman: 'I am honoured to formalise this agreement between Kuwait Cricket and the Emirates Cricket Board to further promote the DP World ILT20 — not only in our two nations but across the entire region. This partnership is a key pillar of the league's broader vision for the growth and globalisation of cricket. We firmly believe that cricket can serve as a powerful bridge between our countries, and we look forward to this collaboration bringing meaningful benefits to our players, coaches, and officials alike.'It is also a matter of great pride that Kuwait becomes the first country in the world to be officially recognized as a strategic partner of the DP World ILT20.'Cricket continues to grow in popularity in the State of Kuwait, with Kuwait Cricket making significant strides both on and off the field. This landmark collaboration with the Emirates Cricket Board and the ILT20 will play a critical role in helping us realize our long-term vision — to involve more Kuwaiti nationals in our cricketing ecosystem, especially as players and officials.'With the Asian Games scheduled to take place in Qatar in 2030 and Saudi Arabia in 2034, the timing couldn't be better. DP World ILT20 can be a transformative force in inspiring the next generation of local talent to embrace the sport across the GCC like never before.'CEO DP World ILT20 David White: 'I would like to congratulate Kuwait Cricket on their vision and foresight that has led to this exciting alliance. The DP World ILT2o's long term vision is to grow the game not only in the UAE but across the Gulf region.'This partnership provides a great opportunity for Kuwait Cricket and their young players to develop further. We have seen it in the DP World ILT20 how the young UAE players have benefited enormously through this incredible platform under some world-class coaching.'The UAE team recently won a T20I series against Bangladesh which is indeed a testament to the success of the DP World ILT20 as a lot of the UAE team members had received great exposure at the league in recent years, surely Kuwait and other countries in the region are going to benefit as well.'Director General Kuwait Cricket Sajid Ashraf: 'This momentous collaboration with the Emirates Cricket Board — a true leader in regional cricket development and the driving force behind the world-class DP World ILT20 — marks a historic milestone for Kuwait Cricket. It opens the door to a long-awaited dream: enabling our Kuwait players to pursue full-time professional cricket careers on the international franchise stage.'Just as importantly, it offers a powerful platform for corporate houses in Kuwait to connect with a vibrant, cricket-loving expatriate community of over two million people, within a total population of five million. This initiative provides a unique opportunity for Kuwaiti brands to expand their footprint regionally, starting with the UAE. We are deeply passionate about our Kuwaiti businesses becoming an integral part of both KCC and the DP World ILT20.'These well-established corporations in Kuwait have so much to offer in supporting the continued growth of cricket across the region, and their involvement will only strengthen the sport's ecosystem. This is undoubtedly a win-win for all stakeholders — players, sponsors, partners, fans, and the broader cricket community. We are excited about the ILT20 Development Tournament and eagerly await the first ball being delivered right here in the State of Kuwait.' Meanwhile, the DP World International League T20 Season 4 will begin on Tuesday, 2 December – UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad) with the six-team, 34-match tournament set to conclude with the final on Sunday, 4 January 2026. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Khaleej Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
ILT20, KCB enter strategic partnership for growth of the sport in Kuwait
The DP World International League T20 and the Kuwait Cricket Board have entered an exciting partnership for the growth of the sport in Kuwait. Through the partnership the DP World ILT20 will organise cricket matches in the country which will be aimed at identifying and developing the participating players. The agreement between the Kuwait Cricket Board and DP World ILT20 was inked at a signing ceremony organised recently at the Dubai International Stadium. As per the agreement, a domestic event like the DP World ILT20 UAE Development Tournament, will be conducted annually in Kuwait to provide the players from Kuwait an opportunity to get selected by ILT20 franchises for the main DP World ILT20 event. In the coming years, the league will also aim to host DP World ILT2o matches in Kuwait. 'We are very proud to announce our collaboration with Kuwait Cricket Board as they join our league [DP World ILT20]. It is a great honour for us, and we look forward to many more such collaborations in the future. Kuwait is very important to us; it is a great country and keen on promoting and further developing cricket," said Khalid Al Zarooni, Chairman ILT20 and Vice-Chairman Emirates Cricket Board. 'Kuwait and the rest of the Gulf countries are all one, the [cricket playing] communities are residing throughout the region and our aim with the DP World ILT20 is to grow and develop the game in the entire region. Our endeavour is to provide maximum opportunities to the players and for the fans to join us at this great tournament which we are trying to grow more and more.' President Kuwait Cricket Haider Farman: 'I am honoured to formalise this agreement between Kuwait Cricket and the Emirates Cricket Board to further promote the DP World ILT20 — not only in our two nations but across the entire region. This partnership is a key pillar of the league's broader vision for the growth and globalisation of cricket. We firmly believe that cricket can serve as a powerful bridge between our countries, and we look forward to this collaboration bringing meaningful benefits to our players, coaches, and officials alike. 'It is also a matter of great pride that Kuwait becomes the first country in the world to be officially recognized as a strategic partner of the DP World ILT20. 'Cricket continues to grow in popularity in the State of Kuwait, with Kuwait Cricket making significant strides both on and off the field. This landmark collaboration with the Emirates Cricket Board and the ILT20 will play a critical role in helping us realize our long-term vision — to involve more Kuwaiti nationals in our cricketing ecosystem, especially as players and officials. 'With the Asian Games scheduled to take place in Qatar in 2030 and Saudi Arabia in 2034, the timing couldn't be better. DP World ILT20 can be a transformative force in inspiring the next generation of local talent to embrace the sport across the GCC like never before.' CEO DP World ILT20 David White: 'I would like to congratulate Kuwait Cricket on their vision and foresight that has led to this exciting alliance. The DP World ILT2o's long term vision is to grow the game not only in the UAE but across the Gulf region. 'This partnership provides a great opportunity for Kuwait Cricket and their young players to develop further. We have seen it in the DP World ILT20 how the young UAE players have benefited enormously through this incredible platform under some world-class coaching. 'The UAE team recently won a T20I series against Bangladesh which is indeed a testament to the success of the DP World ILT20 as a lot of the UAE team members had received great exposure at the league in recent years, surely Kuwait and other countries in the region are going to benefit as well.' Sajid Ashraf, Director General Kuwait Cricket. says the partnership will help the sport grow in Kuwait. 'This momentous collaboration with the Emirates Cricket Board — a true leader in regional cricket development and the driving force behind the world-class DP World ILT20 — marks a historic milestone for Kuwait Cricket. It opens the door to a long-awaited dream: enabling our Kuwait players to pursue full-time professional cricket careers on the international franchise stage," Ashraf said. Meanwhile, the DP World International League T20 Season 4 will begin on December 2, UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad). The six-team, 34-match tournament will conclude with the final on January 4, 2026.
