First Palestinian Olympic boxer fights hurdles before history
Beitunia, Palestinian Territories - Every morning Palestinian boxer Waseem Abu Sal checks texts from his Cairo-based coach -- a Gazan who...
What has gone wrong for Saudi-backed Newcastle?
Despite qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, Newcastle still had to tread a fine...
Business
World Cup buzz includes drills, hammers as Qatar races to be ready
A short drive north, sparks from drills and grinders light up a Doha golf club, where workers are constructing a...
- Across the Qatari capital, new hotels are opening, spectacular street art has gone on display and the flags of the 32 competing nations dominate avenues
- At the Katara 'cultural village', a huge white hotel resembling India's Taj Mahal remains part-shrouded in scaffolding
Geostrategy
Qatar authorities seize 144 counterfeit World Cup trophies
The interior ministry of Qatar said officers launched an operation "acting on a piece of information about a website that...
- The Qatari ministry has released a photo showing the 144 life-sized trophies laid out across a floor and stated that "further legal procedures will be followed".
- In June, Qatar warned drivers for having illegal World Cup logo on car number plates, after special plates were sold in online auctions.
Business
Sanchez the patriarch of Qatar’s football family
Under Sanchez, Qatar have already caused a major surprise once at a major tournament in the Middle East, beating Japan...
- Under Sanchez, Qatar have already caused a major surprise once at a major tournament in the Middle East, beating Japan to take the Asian Cup in 2019
- The Spaniard has spent 16 years coaching at various levels in Qatar, having learned his trade over 10 years with Barcelona's youth teams
Arts & Culture
The eight stadiums that will host World Cup 2022 matches in Qatar
Lusail Iconic Stadium, which will host the final on Dec 18, is Qatar's biggest with a capacity of 80,000. There...
- Al Khor, Al Bayt Stadium, the second biggest, is constructed in the form of a Bedouin tent although there are plans for the upper tier to be removed after the competition.
Business
Qatar sets up consular facility for World Cup fans needing help
In order to help football fans who lose their passport or get arrested, Qatar has opened a World Cup consular...
- According to Mexico's ambassador, it is expecting more than 70,000 fans and will have "an important number" of diplomats on duty during the 29 day tournament
- Thousands of Saudi fans are also expected to pour across the border into Qatar, said Saudi ambassador Prince Mansour bin Khaled bin Farhan al-Saud
Geostrategy
GCC condemns German minister’s remarks on Doha World Cup
The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned remarks by Germany's interior minister on the World Cup due to...
- GCC chief Nayef al-Hajraf expressed support for Qatar in a statement published on the council's website.
- The six-member Gulf bloc backs Doha in addressing any interference in its internal affairs, the GCC chief said.
Business
Equal fee for India’s men and women cricketers
Match fees are however separate from annual pay packets -- there will still be enormous differences between what men and...
- Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah said, "We are implementing pay-equity policy for our contracted @BCCIWomen cricketers."
- Shah said that men and women players will now get 1.5 million rupees ($18,000) for each Test, 600,000 rupees for one-day internationals and 300,000 rupees for T20 internationals.
Business
Dubai’s talks to join basketball Euroleague evoke ‘positive’ response
"Negotiations with the European league began eight months ago, and its goal is to involve a club from Dubai in...
- Euroleague, which bills itself as second only to the NBA, is Europe's top basketball club competition and Real Madrid has won it 10 times.
- The Gulf countries, although currently enjoying a resources boom, are trying to diversify their economies away from fossil fuels and attract foreign businesses and talent.
Economy
Qatar market braces for football World Cup boom
Crowds are already growing as a World Cup buzz mounts. Fan zone attractions and temporary stores are being set up...
- The narrow alleys of the century-old Souq Waqif will be a magnet for the one million football followers expected at the tournament
- Devastated by a major fire in 2003, most of it has been rebuilt with arched pedestrian alleys, as part of a project to regenerate central Doha
Interview
Private sector plays key role in FIFA Cup projects
There is a need for concerted efforts by citizens and residents to make this global event a success, Sheikh Khalifa...
- Qatar has become a leading global investment destination, says Qatar Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani
- The World Cup Qatar 2022 will leave a unique imprint in the history of the FIFA World Cup, he says, adding that Qatari economy is expected to grow by 4.9%
First Palestinian Olympic boxer fights hurdles before history
Beitunia, Palestinian Territories - Every morning Palestinian boxer Waseem Abu Sal checks texts from his Cairo-based coach -- a Gazan who...
Company News
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Educational institutions are shaping UAE’s tomorrow
"Dubai's schools attract students of various nationalities seeking holistic education. These schools emphasize well-rounded education, with a sports culture enhancing...
Arts & Culture
Esports scores big for Saudi economy, culture & jobs
The Kingdom, with its passion for sports and tech, is set to reshape the competitive gaming landscape by hosting the...
Arts & Culture
No suspension for Mazraoui over Gaza post, says Bayern Munich
Berlin, Germany - Bayern Munich on Friday said defender Noussair Mazraoui would not be suspended, after a probe into the Moroccan...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Middle East emerges as a global esports powerhouse
The Middle Eastern region, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is swiftly becoming a global esports hub, driven by...
- The Middle Eastern region, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is swiftly becoming a global esports hub, driven by its vast gamer community and strategic investments
- The region's esports growth transcends gaming, with stakeholders from elite teams to media firms collaboratively shaping the region's live entertainment future
Women’s squad seeks its share of Saudi football boom
A FIFA+ documentary released last month tracks how the national team has seized on new freedoms, contrasting the hostility its...
- The Saudi women squad only formed two years ago and entered the FIFA rankings in March, at 171st place
- The eager Saudi players are standard-bearers for broader changes afoot in Saudi Arabia
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia announces bid to host World Cup in 2034
The bid "intends to deliver a world-class tournament and will draw inspiration from Saudi Arabia's ongoing social and economic transformation...
- Sport is a major component of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform agenda, which aims to transforms Saudi Arabia into a tourism and business hub.
- In the coming weeks, the kingdom is set to host the final LIV Golf League tournament of the regular season and a boxing match featuring Anthony Joshua.