It's hard to believe we are into the 4th month of 2012 already. Let's start with good news, Fernando Torres scored his first premier league goal in over 6 months yesterday. That is not an April Fool's Joke. I'm pleased for him. He is clearly a very talented footballer, and it can't be nice to lose your goalscoring touch for no apparent reason. Moving on and here in the UAE April is set to be another packed month of sporting action. We'll get you closer to the action on this blog.

Monday 30th April 2012 Former UAE Coach Roy Hodgson

Former UAE manager Roy Hodgson is being lined up to take over as England manager. For many, Harry Redknapp has been their favorite but Hodgson has a host of experience at international level and has managed clubs right across Europe, making him a great candidate. International wise he spent time leading Switzerland and got them to 3rd in the world rankings at the peak of his time in charge. He led them to the 1994 World Cup in a tough group including Italy and Portugal. In fact, during qualification for America, the Swiss did not lose to Italy, the eventual finalists only losing to Brazil on penalties. Hodgson went on to secure qualification for Euro '96 easily with Switzerland before leaving before the tournament in England got underway to take charge of Inter Milan. While in charge of Finland, they narrowly avoided qualifying for Euro 2008, missing out by just 3 points. Finland have never qualified for a major tournament. Hodgson's other international experience came here in the UAE. Between 2002 and 2004, Hodgson managed the national squad plus the Olympic squad. Of his time in the UAE Hodgson said "That was a period where I didn't know where my career was going. But all these experiences enrich you and it was good to know I could get my message to players who many say are uncoachable. It's hard work; they're basically lazy. But I had them drilled and pressuring opponents almost like an English team. Most coaches who go there are just fannying around, but it's not my nature." Ironically enough, the UAE team will soon be playing many of the English players Hodgson will soon be coaching, as the UAE head to the London Olympics and will face Team GB on July 29^th at Wembley.

Monday 30th April 2012 Asian 5 Nations UAE v Hong Kong

A tough opening game for the UAE in this year's Asian 5 Nations. Up against two A5N giants, Japan and Hong Kong, it was never going to be easy. A task that has been made even harder with the loss of Andy Russell. I was at the game to see how both the UAE and Hong Kong got on.

Saturday 28th April 2012 The Grill UAE Rugby Coach Duncan Hall

The Asian 5 Nations got underway last night at the Sevens which saw Duncan Hall's UAE take on Hong Kong. Looking to stay in the top tier of the A5N for a 3rd year, a 2nd year under the newly reformed UAE banner, Duncan Hall discussed the challenge's ahead.

Saturday 28th April 2012 The Grill Dubai Fighting Challenge

It's now under a week until history is made as DFC 1, The Beginning takes place on Friday 4th may 2012 at the Al Andalus Ballroom, Habtoor Grand, Dubai. Stacked fight card featuring a heavyweight main event with ex UFC champion Ricco Rodriguez & the very best fighters in the UAE.

Wednesday 25th April 2012 Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona this week has again hinted he may leave Al Wasl FC, and Dubai. At a pre-match press conference he said that because player investment was not meeting with his ambitions for the club he may be forced to leave his role as manager of Al Wasl, 1 year into his 2 year contract. For any funds lacking in the player investment department, they are made up in Maradona's salary, which includes the use of a private jet. This latest outburst on feeling like he will have to leave comes week's after announcing to the the Bahrain FA that he would be interested in taking over as their international coach should they decide in replacing their current boss, former England coach Peter Taylor. Taylor is actually doing a decent job, so he looks safe for some time to come. Diego's international managerial CV isn't the best, almost failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup and leaving the tournament after a 4 - 0 loss to Germany summed up his time in charge. So are all these comments acting as a way to get what he wants form Al Wasl? Or is he genuinely feeling unhappy in Dubai? It could be the latter. Having missed the passing of his Mother back in November because he couldn't get back to Argentina in time from Dubai may be playing on his mind, and he has admitted to wanting to spend more time with his grandson Bejimen. By the way, if Benjimen doesn't become the greatest footballer of all time there is something wrong. Here is his family tree. Granddad - Diego Maradona. Father - Sergio Aguero, Godfather - Lionel Messi. Incredible. Al Wasl are from where they want to be, adrift of not only the top of the table but a spot in next year's Asian Champions League as well. Diego has hinted too that he may leave football for good after 31 years in the sport. It would be nice to think he could enjoy some success in Dubai before he left. We'll have to see if many of his comments have been to get what he wants from the Wasl chairman, or if indeed, the Pro-League is where we'll last see one of the world's greatest ever players at work. Or on the other hand, are Al Wasl quite happy for Diego to be as outspoken as he is, after all, it's making headlines and that's exactly why Maradona was brought to the UAE in first place, to help get the UAE football league on the map.

Tuesday 24th April 2012 London Olympics Men's Football

What a draw for the UAE Olympic football squad. The draw was made earlier today and the UAE, after a successful qualifying campaign have been placed in the same group as Great Britain, Senegal & Uruguay. That will see them play players such as David Beckham, Luis Suarez & Papiss Cisse. The UAE will first play Uruguay at Old Trafford on July 26th, then it's to Wembley to face Great Britain on July 29th before taking on Senegal at Coventry's Ricoh Arena on August 1st. UAE head coach, Mahdi Ali was in London for the draw and explained that it will not be easy being up against so many strong teams and what's most important is to be ready. To do this, the UAE will play 6 to 8 preparation matches before heading to London. One aspect that could act against the UAE team is the fact that they will be playing through Ramadan. Whilst covering hundreds of miles around England during their campaign, the team will be fasting during daylight hours and the the worry is that the team will feel fatigued. UAE keeper, Khalid Essa hopes that they can work well through difficult conditions. The UAE couldn't have asked for a better draw and will be relishing the chance to play against the world's best at their first Olympic games

UAE Key Players

Ahmed Khalil - Attacker - Age: 20

The UAE's top scorer and a real threat in front of goal. Named "Most Promising Arab Footballer" and "Asian Young Footballer of the Year" during his career. Currently playing for Al-Ahli, where David O'Leary managed & Italy's most capped defender, Fabio Cannavaro finished his playing career and still works behind the scenes. 2006 saw Khalil win the Under 17 Gulf Cup of Nations with the UAE U17 team. Khalil was top scorer. He went on to be top scorer during the 2007 President's Cup. He was top scorer & player of the tournament at the AFC U19 championship in 2008. In 2010 he was top scorer in the U23 Gulf Cup of Nations and awarded "Best Young Athlete of the year".

Hamdan Al Kamali - Centre Back - Age: 22

Al Kamali was picked up by Abu Dhabi club, Al Wahda when he was just 7 years old. His professional club career didn't get off to the best start, being sent off on his debut in 2006 against Al Jazira. Things got better for him though and just 4 seasons later he was listed as one of the best 100 players in the world by "Don Balon", the popular Spanish football magazine. It wasn't long before Europe came calling, and he can now be found playing for Lyon in the French Ligue 1 whilst on loan from Al Wahda.

Omar Abdulrahman Al Amoodi - Attacker - Age: 19

A man who attracted Spanish club Espanyol when he was 17, but no deal was completed so he stayed with Al Ain. Currently sitting at the top of the Pro League and playing week in , week out with Asamoah Gyan you can't hide the fact this 19 year old is picking up a heap of good experience. Al Amoodi is the man that scored the goal against Australia which helped the UAE qualify for London. 

Monday 23rd April 2012 Forumla One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix

As we look back on the Bahrain Grand Prix, thankfully we're talking more of the race, rather than the events elsewhere. In arguably the most talked about event of the F1 calendar so far this season, not because of the actual sporting occasion and more because of the ongoing civil unrest in the country of Bahrain, we saw a 4th different driver claim victory. Lewis Hamilton who was leading the driver's championship going into the first desert race of 2012 ended the weekend with a familiar view, Sebastian Vettel above him in the rankings. Remarkable that just one win for Vettel sends him straight back to the top of the standings, and pushes Red Bull Racing back to the top of the constructors. We certainly didn't see that being the case before the weekend, many believing that Mercedes powered cars would continue to dominate. Who knows where this year's championship is heading, this is turning out to be one of the most competitive season's we've had in a long time. Infact, the last time we had 4 different race winners after 4 races was back in 1983.

And a mention of the ongoing violence in Bahrain. Many feared that Formula One would cause more harm than good, and many felt the need to cancel the race for a 2nd year running. Bernie Ecclestone & the FIA decided along with the Bahrain government that the race would go ahead. Despite an incident involving Force India, which sadly was a case of wrong place at the wrong time for team, as they got caught in violence not directed at them, the race weekend was not affected. Infact, the fact that so much press attention has been focused the country leading up to the race may indeed have been a blessing. The King of Bahrain, on the morning of the race announced it was time to talk to his people. So many say sport & politics don't mix, on this occasion sport may have had a hand in helping the progress of the country.

Sunday 15th April 2012 X-Cat Powerboat Series

The X-Cat Powerboat series came to an end in Fujairah over the weekend after 5 great heats across the UAE. A sport that was born in the UAE, it now looks set to go global. I caught up with Team Mouawad ahead of their weekend of racing to find out exactly what it is like to be in the driver's seat of these mighty powerful boats.

Thank you Team Mouawad for letting me take their boat out for a spin. And congratulations on the 2nd place in the championship.

X-Cat Powerboat Series UAE 2012 Standings

1. Fazza
2. Mouawad
3. Qatar Team
4. Extreme Marine
5. Abu Dhabi Racing Team
6. Spirit of Abu Dhabi

Thursday 12th April 2012 Real Madrid

The race of the La Liga tittle is getting tense. Only a few weeks ago Real Madrid were 10 points ahead of Barcelona. At one point this week that gap was cut to just 1 point. Real Madrid have been busy on & off the pitch recently and the club have been here in the UAE. They announced plans for the world's first "Sportainment" destination on an island off the coast of RAK. I went up to look at what the Spanish ginats are planning in the country.

Wednesday 11th April 2012 Bahrain Formula One

As we appraoch the 3rd race meeting of the 2012 Forumla One season, it is still unknown whether the first race of the season in the MENA region will take place. All looked good to go in Bahrain for 2012 after the cancellation of the 2011 race due to unrest in the country. However, after more violence broke out on Monday the race has been thrown into doubt once more. Decisions will be made as Bernie Ecclestone, the teams and the FIA will sit down and discuss the situation. If teams decide not to go, they will be in breach of their contract and could receive fines, something that would be unwelcome to some of the smaller teams. At the same time Bernie Ecclestone has said he can't force them to be there. We'll wait and see what happenes, but it would be a shame to see the Bahrain Grand Prix cancelled for a 2nd year.

Saturday 7th April 2012 The Grill Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

Yesterday saw the end of the 2012 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenege and Tonya Colson, one of the competitors came along to The Grill, live from Barasti to chat about her experience.

Wednesday April 4th 2012 Emirates Airline Twenty20

With the 5th IPL getting underway it's only right that we look back at the Emirates Airline Twenty20 that took place at the 7s recently. So many big cricketing names took part with the likes of Rahul Dravid and Steve Harmison being in attendance.

Sunday April 1st 2012 Dubai World Cup

The Dubai World Cup is the richest horse race in the world and it took place yesterday. Meydan supplies the amazing backdrop and it's one event in Dubai that you have to be seen at. I was down there chatting to fans and looking at who, this year, would win the Dubai World Cup.