Ram gets Dubai visa

The United Arab Emirates UAE will allow Israel8217;s Andy Ram to play in the men8217;s Dubai Championships next week,the state news agency WAM said on Thursday. A UAE foreign ministry official was quoted as saying the doubles specialist would be given special permission to take part.

This8230;does not politically imply any form of normalisation with countries with which the UAE has no diplomatic relations, the official told WAM.

Top Israeli player Shahar Peer had to forfeit her place in the women8217;s tournament in Dubai this week after the UAE blocked her visa application,inviting criticism from officials and players alike. The UAE,like most Arab countries,has no diplomatic ties with Israel and routinely denies entry to Israelis.