From fighting boys to Saudi Olympic history for female taekwondo star
Abha, Saudi Arabia - Saudi taekwondo standout Donia Abu Taleb had an unusual introduction to the sport: for years she trained...
Israel out of Euro 2024 chase, Ukraine in dramatic fightback
Israel's hopes of reaching the European Championships for the first time against the background of bloody conflict at home were...
Economy
Brazilian striker Firmino scores hat-trick on Saudi debut
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia--Brazilian forward and former Liverpool star Roberto Firmino hit a hat-trick on his Saudi Pro League debut on Friday...
- The Brazilian striker scored the goals in the 6th, 10th and 72nd minutes for the team who also fielded several new signings
- Saudi Pro League backed by the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund has lured big names from the major European leagues
Saudi League starts, as world watches after a year of high-profile transfers
The world's biggest oil exporter has thrown hundreds of millions at sports deals including Ronaldo's capture, Formula One in Jeddah...
- Clubs in the oil-rich Gulf state have drawn global stars, with Karim Benzema, Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane among those following in Cristiano Ronaldo's footsteps
- Last month Al-Hilal made a $328 million bid for Kylian Mbappe, though the Paris Saint-Germain striker reportedly refused to meet with officials from the club
Business
PIF sets up SRJ Sports Investments firm
The investments are expected to localize partnerships.
- The new company will target businesses specialized in offering unique fan engagement activities and transformative sports technology.
- This firm will help bolster Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment destinations.
Will keep spending money to attract biggest names: Saudi League executive
British director Peter Hutton, who sits on the league's board, told the BBC: "I think the budgets are in place...
- Clubs in the oil-rich Gulf state have lured global stars, with Karim Benzema, Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane among those following in Cristiano Ronaldo's footsteps
- Last month Al-Hilal made a $328 million bid for Kylian Mbappe, though the Paris Saint-Germain striker reportedly refused to meet with officials from the club
Sadio Mane joins Ronaldo at Saudi side Al Nassr
The twice African footballer of the year is the latest high profile player to join the cash-rich Saudi league. Both...
- Mane won the Champions League and Premier League in six seasons with Liverpool and was a key part of Jurgen Klopp's devastating front three with Mohamed Salah
- in the summer of 2022, Mane decided he wanted a new challenge -- unconfirmed rumours said he had tired of sharing the limelight with Egypt's Salah at Anfield
Arts & Culture
Saudi league’s transfer window can affect Europe’s clubs, says Liverpool
Singapore, Singapore - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on Tuesday urged football authorities to address the late closure of the transfer window...
- Since the start of the year, clubs in the oil-rich Middle Eastern kingdom have spent generously to sign some of the world’s leading players.
- Brazilian midfielder Fabinho on Monday became the third Liverpool player to move to a Saudi club in this close season when he joined Al-Ittihad.
Arts & Culture
French footballer Maximin to play for Al-Ahli after three-year deal
Paris, France - French winger Allan Saint-Maximin on Sunday signed a three-year deal with Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli after leaving English club...
- Saint-Maximin, 26, made 124 appearances for Saudi-backed Newcastle and scored 13 goals since joining from Nice in 2019.
- The financial terms of the deal were not revealed but English press reports have estimated it to be in the region of $38.5 million.
Arts & Culture
Cash rich Saudi football league ‘changed market’, says English club
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on Saturday that the Saudi Pro League had "completely changed the...
- "The Saudi league completely changed the market," Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said.
- City winger Riyad Mahrez this week became just the latest big name to move to Saudi football.
Arts & Culture
Saudi club Al-Ahli signs Manchester City player Riyad Mahrez
London, United Kingdom - Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez has left the treble winners to join Saudi side Al-Ahli, the two...
- The 32-year-old Algerian winger joined Pep Guardiola's team in 2018 from Leicester, winning 11 major trophies at the club.
- City agreed a fee understood to be worth up to £30 million ($38.6 million) with Al-Ahli last week.
Geostrategy
Turkey, Italy seek joint hosting of Euro cup 2032, says UEFA
Paris, France - Italy and Turkey have asked to jointly host the 2032 European Championship, UEFA announced on Friday.European football's governing...
- Turkey, who lost out to Germany for Euro 2024, entered the process for both editions, while Italy decided to bid only for 2032.
- In 2021, UEFA initiated a bidding process for the hosting of two editions of its European Championship, in 2028 and 2032.
From fighting boys to Saudi Olympic history for female taekwondo star
Abha, Saudi Arabia - Saudi taekwondo standout Donia Abu Taleb had an unusual introduction to the sport: for years she trained...
Company News
Saudi football dominates Gulf sports scene this year
Arts & Culture
Latest News
Ronaldo effect? Saudi spending spree fuels Asian Cup hopes
Saudi Pro League sides have shelled out to lure big-name players while Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034...
Arts & Culture
Palestine’s Asian Cup team seeks to ‘put smile’ on their compatriots
Doha, Qatar - The Palestinian team hope to reach the knockout stage of the Asian Cup for the first time to...
Geostrategy
Son set to light up Asian Cup as Qatar takes center stage again
The 24 teams spanning Australia to Palestine will battle for regional glory over the next four weeks, culminating in the...
Arts & Culture
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Business
Sharp-shooting Al-Attiyah takes aim at sixth Dakar title
A 425-strong colorful caravanserai made up of cars, bikes, quads and trucks sets out from Al-Ula on a treacherous 4,900-mile...
- Al-Attiyah took bronze at the 2012 London Olympics, and in September added two medals at Asian Games
- He first mastered the Dakar in 2011 in a Volkswagen, winning the 2015 edition in a Mini
Gaza war overshadows football as Asian Cup looms for Palestine
The Palestinian Football Association had celebrated in June last year when the national team won -- for the third time...
- Qatar hosts the 2023 Asian Cup from January 12 to February 10, and Palestine will play its opening game on January 14 against Iran
- Palestinian team's coach said the team hopes to "qualify for the latter stages of the Asian Cup and show the honorable face of Palestinian football"
Arts & Culture
Saudi football dominates Gulf sports scene this year
The Kingdom's football undergoes a historic transformation in 2023 with major investments and player signings, and Saudi Arabia wins the...
- The Kingdom's football undergoes a historic transformation in 2023 with major investments and player signings, and Saudi Arabia wins the bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
- UAE-owned Manchester City wins the Champions League, while Qatar hosts major 2023 sports events, preparing for the 2024 Asian Football Cup, taking the Gulf sports to next level.