Pakistani Boxer Makes History in Al Ain as City Prepares for Eid Al Adha
Al Ain City has served as a stage for South Asian community achievements and observances, from a Pakistani schoolgirl's historic boxing medal to the city's elaborate preparations for Eid Al Adha. The UAE's fourth-largest city continues to demonstrate how deeply woven South Asian communities are into its cultural and civic life.
🤝 Pakistani Schoolgirl Makes History at Asian Junior Boxing Championship in Al Ain
Ayesha Mumtaz, a schoolgirl from Sargodha in Pakistan, secured a historic bronze medal at the Asian Junior and School Boxing Championship held in Al Ain City, Abu Dhabi. Competing in the pinweight (46 kg) category of the schoolgirls' event, Mumtaz demonstrated exceptional technical ability throughout the competition, reaching the semi-finals with a commanding performance. Her quarterfinal bout saw her defeat Thi Hong Yen Nguyen of Vietnam, showcasing her distinctive left-handed hooks and well-executed attacks that proved decisive against the Vietnamese opponent. That victory guaranteed her at minimum a bronze medal, making her only the second female boxer from Pakistan to win a medal at the Asian Boxing Championships, following Hadiya Kamal who claimed bronze in 2022. The Pakistan Boxing Federation expressed great pride in the achievement, with federation President Muhammad Khalid Mahmood personally congratulating the boxer, her coach, and her family. The federation described Mumtaz's success as a testament to the potential of Pakistani athletes on the international stage, noting her exceptional dedication and the strong support structure around her. The PBF also signalled its ongoing commitment to developing young talent across Pakistan, citing Mumtaz's achievement as an example of what structured investment in emerging athletes can produce at the continental level. [7]
🪔 Al Ain Illuminates 98 Kilometres of Roads for Eid Al Adha
Al Ain Municipality completed extensive Eid Al Adha decoration works across the city, installing nearly 1,400 lighting units along 98 kilometres of major roads and intersections to celebrate the festival. The project was managed by Engineer Moza Al Muhairi, who described the design philosophy as combining traditional Eid greetings with visual elements inspired by Al Ain's distinctive natural identity. The installations used environmentally friendly and energy-efficient lighting technologies, presented in calm and visually comfortable colours intended to create a welcoming festive atmosphere for all residents. The illuminated streets were designed to mark Eid Al Adha in a manner befitting a city that counts large South Asian Muslim communities among its residents, bringing the holiday's spirit to every major road and intersection. Meanwhile, Dibba Al Hisn Municipality also activated an integrated operational plan for the holiday period, expanding its municipal slaughterhouse capacity to accommodate Eid sacrifices under veterinary supervision and in line with approved health standards. Inspection teams were deployed throughout the city to monitor markets and facilities, ensuring public health and safety during the heightened visitor activity that accompanies the Eid Al Adha period, particularly in market areas and food distribution centres serving the city's diverse population. [2]
🤝 Al Ain Services Adjust During Eid Al Adha: Free Tolls, Parking, and Centre Closures
Residents of Al Ain navigated a range of service adjustments during the Eid Al Adha holiday period, with Q Mobility announcing that Darb toll gate fees across major Abu Dhabi gates would be waived from Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May 2026. Toll charges at gates including Sas Al Nakhl, Al Maqta, Rabdan, and Al Saadiyat were suspended for the full five-day period, with standard fees resuming on Saturday 30 May. Public parking across Abu Dhabi, excluding multi-storey car parks, was also free during the same period. Notably, the Al Qurm and Ghantout toll gates continued operating at their standard Dhs4 fee throughout the holiday. For many residents managing official paperwork or administrative requirements, the main Driver and Vehicle Licencing Centre in Al Ain City was scheduled to close from Monday 25 May through Sunday 31 May, with operations resuming on Monday 1 June. The holiday transport provisions were especially relevant for South Asian residents — including the large communities of Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Sri Lankans who form a substantial part of Al Ain's workforce — who needed to plan errands and administrative tasks around the extended Eid break, ensuring they could observe the festival with their families without disruption from service schedules. [3]
Sources: [7] The News International · [2] Gulf News · [3] GulfToday