Category: Sports

Riyadh: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced the postponement of the match between Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates and Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia for 24 hours due to weather conditions after it was scheduled to be played this evening at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain in the first leg of the AFC Champions League semi-finals.

The AFC said in a statement on its official website that the postponement of the match between Al Ain of the UAE and Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia during the first leg of the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League 2023-2024 was due to weather conditions.

The match was scheduled to kick-off at 8:00 pm UAE time, but following the directives of the authorities in the UAE, the UAE Football Association suspended all football activities today, Tuesday in order to maintain the safety of fans, players and all parties. The match is rescheduled to be held tomorrow, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in the same stadium and at the same time.

Since Monday, the UAE has been hit by a strong storm
accompanied by heavy rain. The UAE government announced remote work and study for employees and students, and the sports federations postponed all scheduled activities for Tuesday.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: In anticipation of the FEI Jumping and Dressage World Cup Finals 2024, riders from around the globe, including the top six show jumpers in the world rankings, commenced their training regimen on Monday.

This initial session lays the groundwork for the upcoming championship, scheduled to commence at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC) in just two days’ time. The action will unfold on Wednesday and span over four days within an indoor arena, marking the first time for the Middle East to host the competition.

A total of 51 equestrians, comprising both male and female riders from 24 nations, are poised to showcase their skills in the championship.

On another front, the championship organizing committee has completed the comprehensive veterinary examination for all 60 participating horses at the competition venue. The examinations encompassed a variety of essential factors, including thorough physical and medical assessments, as well as evaluations aligned with the standard
s governing show jumping and dressage horses.

Utilizing devices to measure hoof sensitivity, the examinations also ensured that the horses received necessary vaccinations while verifying the validity of their passports. Following the examinations, riders were cleared to begin their warm-up routines, enabling them to acclimatize to the arena awaiting them.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: In anticipation of the FEI Jumping and Dressage World Cup Finals 2024, riders from around the globe, including the top six show jumpers in the world rankings, commenced their training regimen on Monday.

This initial session lays the groundwork for the upcoming championship, scheduled to commence at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC) in just two days’ time. The action will unfold on Wednesday and span over four days within an indoor arena, marking the first time for the Middle East to host the competition.

A total of 51 equestrians, comprising both male and female riders from 24 nations, are poised to showcase their skills in the championship.

On another front, the championship organizing committee has completed the comprehensive veterinary examination for all 60 participating horses at the competition venue. The examinations encompassed a variety of essential factors, including thorough physical and medical assessments, as well as evaluations aligned with the standard
s governing show jumping and dressage horses.

Utilizing devices to measure hoof sensitivity, the examinations also ensured that the horses received necessary vaccinations while verifying the validity of their passports. Following the examinations, riders were cleared to begin their warm-up routines, enabling them to acclimatize to the arena awaiting them.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Seoul, Brentford FC defender Kim Ji-soo will not play for South Korea at the upcoming Olympic men’s football qualifiers in Qatar due to his club commitments, the national football federation announced Monday, the latest blow to the country’s pursuit of a ticket to Paris.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Football Association (KFA) said Brentford decided not to release their 19-year-old defender for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Asian Cup, citing club-related reasons. Head coach Hwang Sun-hong selected Pohang Steelers midfielder Kim Dong-jin as a replacement.

Hwang’s team traveled to Dubai last Friday to set up a training camp, and they’re scheduled to travel to Qatar on Wednesday. The U-23 Asian Cup, which doubles as the AFC qualifiers for the Paris Olympics, will kick off next Monday.

Kim Ji-soo, who doesn’t turn 20 until Christmas Eve, would have been South Korea’s youngest player at the AFC event. He has appeared in three matches for the U-23 national team and earned a callup to t
he senior national team for the AFC Asian Cup earlier this year in Qatar, though he didn’t see any action.

Kim had been one of five players based in foreign leagues selected. However, clubs aren’t obliged to release their international players for this AFC tournament, which isn’t on the FIFA international match calendar.

Scottish champions Celtic FC informed the KFA that they would not send forward Yang Hyun-jun to Qatar. Brentford will keep Kim Ji-soo in England.

Dsseldorf forward Kim Min-woo joined the South Korean squad in Dubai. Bae Jun-ho of Stoke City and Jeong Sang-bin of Minnesota United have yet to report to the national team.

At the AFC tournament, South Korea will play in Group B against the United Arab Emirates, China and Japan.

The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the quarterfinals, and the top three nations will book their spots in the Olympics. The fourth-place team will face Guinea in an intercontinental playoff.

South Korea has played at every Olympic men’s foo
tball tournament since the under-23 age limit was put in place in 1992.

Source:Bahrain News Agency

The Olympic team delegation arrived in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Monday morning, to enter a short training camp, including a friendly match with its Japanese counterpart next Thursday, in preparation for the Asian qualifying finals for the Paris Olympics.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Abu Dhabi, The Diriyah Saudi Super Cup 2024 semi-finals will take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from April 8-11. First, Al-Ittihad faces Al-Wahda at Al Nahyan Stadium, then Al-Hilal clashes with Al-Nassr at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium. All teams have made thorough preparations for these crucial matches.

The Diriyah Saudi Super Cup is being held outside Saudi Arabia for the fourth time, and it is the first time to be held in another Arab country. The three previous editions were held in London.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh: The Minister of Sport and Chairman of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, is leading the Kingdom’s delegation at SportAccord 2024, a sports gathering. The event, which began on Monday in Birmingham, will last four days and is being attended by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, and the President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), Robin E. Mitchell. SportAccord 2024 also features the participation of numerous international sports federations and other sports organizations, making it the world’s foremost global sports gathering held annually under the umbrella of the SportAccord organization.

The Saudi delegation includes the Vice President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Prince Fahad bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, as well as CEO and Secretary General of the committee, Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Baeshen. Additionally, several workshops focusing on topics such as sports and health, hosting
mega sports events, and sports legislation will be conducted on the sidelines of the convention.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Suzuka, World champion Max Verstappen got back to winning ways on Sunday with a third straight pole-to-flag victory at the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix, leading team mate Sergio Perez across the line for a Red Bull 1-2 at Suzuka.

The Dutchman suffered his first retirement since 2022 in Melbourne last time out to snap a nine-race winning streak but had no mechanical issues this week in a dominant performance to make it three wins from four races this season.

Verstappen, who becomes only the second driver to win three consecutive Japanese Grands Prix alongside seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher, now has a 13-point lead in the driver standings over Perez.

Red Bull lead the constructor standings on 141 points ahead of Ferrari (120) and McLaren (69).

Perez jumped ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the driver standings. Ferrari’s other driver Carlos Sainz, the winner in Australia two weeks ago, rode fresher tyres in the latter stages of the race to grab the final podium spot, edging out Leclerc
, who used a one-stop strategy.

But the Spaniard was more than 20 seconds behind Verstappen, underlining the gap between the teams in dry, sunny conditions.

McLaren’s Lando Norris finished fifth with the Mercedes pair of George Russell and Hamilton down in a disappointing seventh and ninth respectively after a tactical strategy to switch to hard tyres early in the race backfired.

Hamilton, who said in qualifying it was the best he has felt in the car in years, cut a despondent figure after the race.

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso finished sixth, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri eighth.

RB’s Yuki Tsunoda came in 10th, securing points in his home grand prix for the first time to the delight of the crowd.

Alex Albon’s Williams and the RB of Daniel Ricciardo crashed into each other on the opening lap, triggering a red flag and a 30 minute delay while the debris was cleared and a barrier repaired.

Both drivers emerged unscathed and after the stewards investigated the incident, they decided to take no action.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Riyadh: The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has unveiled the official lineup of participants for the 2024 FEI World Cup Series Finals (Dressage and Jumping), marking the first time these prestigious events will be held in the Middle East, specifically in Riyadh.

The release of the participant list has ignited anticipation and excitement within the equestrian community, as it includes the top six consecutive riders in the world rankings. Leading the pack is Swedish rider Henrik von Eckermann, the reigning titleholder, followed by German rider Isabell Werth, Swiss rider Steve Guerdat, and French riders Julien Epaillard and Kent Farrington, all of whom rank among the top five participants in both dressage and show jumping.

Riyadh is set to host the largest finals in show jumping from April 16th to 20th, with the competitions slated to take place at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center within an indoor arena. The event promises a unique atmosphere, complemented by an area dedicate
d to accompanying events for sponsors and participants.

The decision to award Saudi Arabia the hosting rights for the world finals was announced by the FEI in November 2019. This milestone marks Saudi Arabia as the 12th country to host the championship since its inception in 1978, as it welcomes the 45th edition of the event.

The finals will feature 34 world-class riders, including three Saudi representatives: Olympic medalist Ramzy Al-Duhami, Khaled Al-Mobty, who earned his spot through exceptional performances in international competitions, and Abdullah Al-Sharbatly, who clinched the Saudi team’s bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Manama, BRAVE® Combat Federation (BRAVE® CF), the most global Mixed Martial Arts promotion in the world, signed a strategic partnership agreement with BitDelta, a leading cryptocurrency exchange enabling diverse asset and commodity trading, who will serve as the brand’s official global trading platform partner.

As part of the agreement, BRAVE® CF will co-host International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) events, featuring aspiring talents who are both sponsored and supported by BitDelta. The announcement strengthens BitDelta’s position in the combat sports industry after it recently signed a deal to become the official global trading platform partner of IMMAF.

Founded in 2016, BRAVE® CF expanded quickly, hosting 80 events in 30 different nations, an industry record, reaching more than 180 countries and territories around the world with the broadcast of its events.

BRAVE® CF COO Ms. Valeria Lang says, “We are excited to have BitDelta, a platform that disrupts the norm and brings the world of trading u
nder one roof, to partner with BRAVE CF that is introducing 650 million MMA fans to a new era of Mixed Martial Arts.”

BRAVE® CF President Mohammed Shahid adds “Together we will be able to give the fans access to the diverse trading opportunities at BitDelta and develop the sport worldwide and be a part of the inspiring global stories of world’s best fighters and the biggest moments of the new transformation of the MMA industry with BRAVE CF.”

Lauren Martin, BitDelta Chief Marketing Officer, added: ‘This partnership marks another step forward for BitDelta as we continue to support the evolution of Mixed Martial Arts and, in particular, the career paths of the sport’s young talents’.

‘We are delighted to join forces with BRAVE® CF, a highly respected brand within the combat sports industry which has achieved tremendous success in a relatively short period of time. The agreements we have signed with both BRAVE® CF and the IMMAF not only showcase our commitment to MMA but also ensure a positive future for the
sport with three major brands working collaboratively’.

The largest Mixed Martial Arts promotion in the Middle East, BRAVE® CF was nominated for the Promotion of the Year prize at the 2021 World MMA Awards.

BitDelta, a disruptive multi-asset trading platform, is committed to becoming the leading platform for traders around the world and ensuring trading is accessible to all.

The partnership will see BRAVE® CF promote BitDelta’s services across its platforms, while also hosting activations at various events designed to enhance the overall fan experience.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

A double from Rodrygo helped Real Madrid restore their eight-point lead at the top of LaLiga EA Sports after a routine 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu.

With title rivals Barcelona temporarily closing the gap to five points and Girona sealing a last-gasp win over Real Betis earlier in the day, it was down to Los Blancos to demonstrate their capability as potential champions when the title race reaches its climax in May.

And it didn’t take Carlo Ancelotti’s side long to prove their point, with just seven minutes on the clock when Rodrygo opened the scoring with a sublime solo goal, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported.

The 23-year-old might lose his place in the three-man attack to Kylian Mbappe next season if the PSG star, as expected, signs on a free transfer. But the Brazilian showed he still has plenty to offer with an outstanding strike, dribbling through the middle and curling past goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala from 25 yards out.

That moment of quality was the only clear-cut cha
nce to separate the two sides going into the interval in an otherwise cagey first half, with a long-range strike from Federico Valverde and effort from Aurelien Tchouameni the only other opportunities.

After the break, Athletic offered some more attacking intent without truly troubling Andriy Lunin in the Real Madrid goal and Ernesto Valverde’s decision to take off top goalscorer Gorka Guruzeta said everything about his quiet night up front.

But with Ancelotti’s men in control, they soon put the game to bed – and it was that man Rodrygo again, who shimmied past substitute Dani Vivian and coolly slotted past Agirrezabala to make it 15 goals for the season in all competitions.

That proved to be enough to quash any chance of a comeback from the visitors, and while Athletic may have been forgiven for having one eye on their Copa Del Rey final against Real Mallorca on 6 April 2024, this defeat could prove costly at the end of the season. Atletico Madrid are now only a point behind them in fifth place and posses
s a game in hand in the race for a top-four spot.

But for Real Madrid, who still haven’t lost a match to Athletic in their last 18 meetings, their healthy advantage means it would take the most dramatic of title collapses to deny them a 36th LaLiga crown now.

Source: Oman News Agency

Riyadh: The Sports Boulevard said in a press release issued today that it has launched the “Walking Track” initiative, in collaboration with Al Nakheel Mall, in Riyadh during the holy month of Ramadan, to encourage residents and visitors to exercise through walking.

The walking track in the mall is 506 meters long, equivalent to approximately 750 steps.

According to the release, this initiative aims to promote physical activities among the community and increase public awareness about the facilities that the Sports Boulevard project will provide upon completion, as part of the Sports Boulevard’s social responsibility toward the community. The initiative has received significant interest from community members, and aims to make walking a healthy habit.

The Sports Boulevard also announced that the cycling experience RIYDE is going on; it is designed to promote a culture of cycling and sports using cutting-edge technology, to bring cycling to Riyadh’s residents, enabling them to ride virtual routes and compet
e against one another in an immersive cycling booth.

Sports Boulevard Foundation Chief of Communications Ahmed bin Askar said: “At the Sports Boulevard, we seek to contribute to improving the quality of life by enabling residents and visitors of Riyadh to adopt a lifestyle based on making healthier and more sustainable choices, in addition to promoting sports practice and community participation. The ‘walking track’ initiative in commercial centers has a tangible impact on community members, and we are keen to activate these initiatives to fulfill our social responsibility towards our community.”

Source: Saudi Press Agency