Big money as Saudi Arabia makes foray into cricket with IPL auction
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has backed extravagant sports investments -- set to culminate in Saudi Arabia hosting the football...
Imane Khelif – boxer in gender row and now Olympic champion
A strong athlete, she played football with the boys in her village of Biban Mesbah, but beating them in matches...
Business
Abu Dhabi council review budget, sports development
Abu Dhabi, UAE - Abu Dhabi Sports Council discussed business developments and plans for developing the sports sector here, local...
- The board reviewed the general financial budget for 2024, which reflects the strong performance of the council and its impact on the sports sector
- They also reviewed the strategic and operational performance report for the first half of 2023 and the performance indicators report
Business
Turkish clubs financially hit attracting big names in transfer market
Eyes have been on Saudi clubs' transfer outlays which have rivaled those of the top European sides, but Turkish teams...
- Reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray spent US$32 million this summer, down on the US$45 million of the same window last year.
- Economist Kerem Akbas believes trying to appease football fans in the country pushes clubs into spending money they cannot afford.
China fans cheer for Syria after ‘another embarrassing defeat’
Beijing, China - Angry China fans turned on their team and applauded the visiting Syrians off the pitch after what Chinese...
- China's Serbian coach Aleksandar Jankovic blamed bad luck for the 1-0 friendly loss in Chengdu on Tuesday, which came days after they were held 1-1 by Malaysia also at home
- President Xi Jinping wants China to one day host and even win the World Cup, but they are ranked 80th in the world and confidence is rock-bottom ahead of World Cup qualifying
Arts & Culture
Saudi clubs spent $875.4m on new players from June 1- Sept 1, says FIFA
Spending by Saudi Arabian football clubs in the transfer window just closed was second only to that by teams in...
- Much of the Saudi Pro League's business was done with English Premier League clubs, which received $698 million in overseas transfer fees.
- The Pro League's net spend, deducting money received from selling players, was $907 million, placing it behind Premier League's net spend of $1.39 billion.
Arts & Culture
Demarai Gray quits Everton to join Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ettifaq
London, United Kingdom - Demarai Gray has left Everton for Al-Ettifaq ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline in the Saudi Pro League.The...
- The 27-year-old forward is the latest Premier League player to head to the Gulf nation, joining former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson at Al-Ettifaq.
- The Jamaica international said that he would be "forever proud" to have played for Everton, who are in the relegation zone after a poor start to the season.
Israel’s sports team makes landmark visit to Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - An Israeli sports delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday to participate in the World Weightlifting...
- Three Israeli weightlifters are set to compete in different weight classes during the World Weightlifting Championships
- Israeli athletes are expected to participate in a competition in Qatar in December, even though neither Saudi Arabia nor Qatar maintains diplomatic ties
Geostrategy
Saudi and Iran to resume home-and-away matches: AFC
The move by the two countries' football federations would contribute to "fostering closer ties between their respective footballing communities, allowing...
- Saudi Arabia and Iran severed ties in 2016 after Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran were attacked during protests over Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
- The AFC then decided that football matches between the two countries would take place on neutral ground, an arrangement it described at the time as "most unfortunate".
Economy
Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur enters last 16 at US Open
Jabeur, who will now face China's Zheng Qinwen in the last 16 on Monday, said her punishing training regimen in...
- Tunisian fifth seed Jabeur, whose own US Open campaign has been disrupted by a flu virus, completed a 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 victory to subdue Bouzkova in 2hr 56min
- A contest of high drama on the Arthur Ashe Stadium saw Bouzkova play virtually half of the match on one leg after suffering a thigh injury midway through the second set
Arts & Culture
Liverpool turns down Al-Ittihad $190m offer for Mohamed Salah
LONDON, UK - Liverpool have rejected a blockbuster £150 million ($190 million) offer for Mohamed Salah from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad,...
- Egypt star Salah has been linked with a move to the Gulf State for several weeks and it is believed a verbal offer was made to Liverpool by Al-Ittihad.
- His agent had publicly ruled out a switch to Saudi during the close-season amid a host of Premier League stars opting to accept lucrative offers from the Gulf State.
Geostrategy
Gulf Federation for Electronic Sports formed, will develop regional talent
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Gulf Federation for Electronic Sports was established Thursday on the sidelines of the Next World...
- A total of 14 MoUs and agreements were signed at the Next World Forum, an event in Riyadh that brings together leaders and experts of the gaming and e-sports.
- The agreements included aspects related to federations, sponsorships, proposed values, and education.
Big money as Saudi Arabia makes foray into cricket with IPL auction
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has backed extravagant sports investments -- set to culminate in Saudi Arabia hosting the football...
Company News
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Coach Mancini lays out Saudi’s plan at Asian Cup
Arts & Culture
Al Nassr thrash Inter Miami as Ronaldo, Messi watch on
Otavio drilled in the opener as Miami lost the ball trying to play out from the back, bringing Ronaldo to...
Saudi football chief brands Mancini penalty walkout ‘unacceptable’
Doha, Qatar - The president of Saudi Arabian football said Roberto Mancini's disappearing act before the end of the penalty shootout...
Arts & Culture
Iran ‘following dreams’ in trying to win first Asian Cup since 1976
Doha, Qatar - Iran are "following our dreams" in trying to win the Asian Cup for the first time in 48...
Arts & Culture
Most Read
Son faces Saudis, Palestine make history in Asian Cup last 16
The knockout phase begins on Sunday when Australia play Indonesia, followed the same day by the United Arab Emirates against...
- The tournament has been whittled down from 24 teams to 16 but trying to predict who lifts the trophy on February 10 looks more difficult than ever
- Japan came to Qatar as favourites and looking to win the title for a record-extending fifth time, but they reached the knockout phase as only runners-up in their group behind Iraq
Arts & Culture
Coach Mancini lays out Saudi’s plan at Asian Cup
Doha, Qatar - Roberto Mancini said on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia fear no team at the Asian Cup and will not...
- "Our calculation is always to win all the games we play," said Mancini, who won the European Championship with his native Italy in 2021.
- Mancini has repeatedly played down Saudi Arabia's chances of winning the Asian Cup saying Japan, South Korea, Iran and Australia are favorites.
Business
Tata Group retains IPL sponsorship rights for record $300m
New Delhi, India - Corporate behemoth Tata Group has again been awarded title sponsorship rights of the Indian Premier League for...
- Tata Group already holds the title sponsorship for the IPL and its sister competition, the Women's Premier League, which staged its first tournament last year
- The IPL attracts cricket's top international stars with bumper salaries, and features 10 sides competing in the sport's hugely popular Twenty20 format