Top women golfers set for Aramco Series Challenge in Jeddah

Special Top women golfers set for Aramco Series Challenge in Jeddah
Georgia Hall, middle, and Olivia Cowan, left. (Supplied)
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Updated 08 November 2022
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Top women golfers set for Aramco Series Challenge in Jeddah

Top women golfers set for Aramco Series Challenge in Jeddah
  • Previous winners are back, including Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, Olivia Cowan and reigning individual champion Pia Babnik
  • The event will include an individual 54-hole stroke play tournament and a 36-hole team contest

JEDDAH: A world-class field of 108 women golfers from 26 countries will contest this weekend’s Aramco Team Series in Jeddah. 

Previous winners are back, including Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, Olivia Cowan and reigning individual champion Pia Babnik.

They will be joined by this year’s Aramco Team Series London individual winner, Bronte Law, and 2021 Aramco Team Series Sotogrande individual winner, Alison Lee.

Solheim Cup Captain Suzann Pettersen is also among the names, as are Moroccans Maha Haddioui and Lina Belmati.

The event will include an individual 54-hole stroke play tournament and a 36-hole team contest. Each has a prize pool of $500,000 (SR1.9 million).




Maha Haddioui. (Supplied)

Speaking in Jeddah on Tuesday, Georgia Hall, the English winner of the Aramco Saudi Ladies International held in the city in March, said: “I am very excited to be back to one of my favorite golf courses and looking forward to another challenge.”

Meanwhile, German golfer Cowan said she was looking forward to replicating her recent success as winner of this year’s Hero Women’s Indian Open  

“I don’t think I am under any pressure after my win In India. I had a good weekend there and came up on the top,” she said. “What I want to do this weekend here in Jeddah is just enjoy playing and see what happens.”

Both Hall and Cowan said that Saudi Arabia was doing great things promoting golf in the region.

Haddioui, the first Arab woman with playing privileges on the Ladies European Tour, said she was looking forward to her fifth consecutive year in Jeddah.

“To be part of the Aramco Series Challenge is incredible. I’m always happy to play in Saudi Arabia and hope to make a good result this weekend,” she said, adding other players were looking forward to competing in the Kingdom.




Lina Belmati. (Supplied)

Her fellow countrywoman Lina Belmati, who is returning to Jeddah for the second year in a row, said that she was ready for an exciting weekend.

“This is my second year and it has been a great experience to play among the best in Europe,” she said. “Hopefully I and Maha Haddioui, the only Arab golfers to play, will make a good impression and make our Arab world proud.

“I am very happy with the development of golf in the Arab countries. I hope for a better future and for Arabs to participate in golf. I thank the Aramco Team Championship Series for giving us this opportunity and providing the best possible organization for the championship.”

The Aramco Team Series is a new concept and the first team event series on any professional tour, where the world’s best compete in concurrent team and individual contests. This year’s event takes place between Nov. 9 and Nov. 11 at the Royal Green Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City, Jeddah.


Saudi’s Abdullah Abkar claims 200m silver at Asian Games

Saudi’s Abdullah Abkar claims 200m silver at Asian Games
Updated 23 min 38 sec ago
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Saudi’s Abdullah Abkar claims 200m silver at Asian Games

Saudi’s Abdullah Abkar claims 200m silver at Asian Games
  • Abkar led from the gun but was pipped on the line by the fast-finishing Ueyama Koki of Japan who took gold in a time of 20.60
  • Saudi runner Issa Ghazwani advanced to the final of the 800m after winning his semifinal in a time of 1:48.98

HANGZHOU: Abdullah Abkar won the fourth Saudi medal of the 19th Asian Games when placing second in the men’s 200m at the Olympic stadium in Hangzhou.

Abkar led from the gun but was pipped on the line by the fast-finishing Ueyama Koki of Japan who took gold in a time of 20.60, Abkar had to settle for silver with a time of 20.63.

 

The Saudi basketball team has qualified for the quarterfinals, in Hangzhou, after defeating Hong Kong 95-72.

Saudi Arabia were without Marzouq Al-Muwallad, who had returned home following the death of his brother.

Saudi runner Issa Ghazwani advanced to the final of the 800m after winning his semifinal in a time of 1:48.98.

The Saudi 4x100m relay team, Sultan Al-Khaldi, Abdulaziz Atafi, Hamoud Alwani and Mahmoud Hafiz, exited the games after finishing fifth in their heat in a time of 40.34.

Sami Alyami set a new personal record in the 800m, finishing third in his semifinal with a time of 1:49.56, but failed to advance to the final.

The Saudi archery team of Abdulaziz Al-Rawdhan, Bilal Alawadhi and Majdi Al-Sobhi exited the games at the quarterfinal stage after losing to Iran.

The Saudi archers, along with Sara Bin Saloom and Shaden Al-Marshoud in the women’s, also exited the men’s individual competition.


Former World Series champion Dennis Cook named manager of Baseball United’s Falcons franchise

Former World Series champion Dennis Cook named manager of Baseball United’s Falcons franchise
Updated 02 October 2023
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Former World Series champion Dennis Cook named manager of Baseball United’s Falcons franchise

Former World Series champion Dennis Cook named manager of Baseball United’s Falcons franchise
  • Former MLB pitcher Dennis Cook to team with ex-New York Yankees slugger and Baseball United co-owner Nick Swisher, who will serve as the franchise’s honorary general manager
  • Swisher, who was recently in Dubai for the launch of the Falcons franchise, will also play a role as a color analyst for Baseball United’s television broadcasts

DUBAI: Baseball United, the first-ever professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and Indian subcontinent, has announced that former Major League Baseball World Series champion Dennis Cook will lead the Abu Dhabi-based Falcons franchise as their first-ever manager.

Cook embarks on this journey armed with 15 years of experience at the MLB level, as well as recent coaching experience at Northwestern University. Cook pitched for several MLB teams, including the San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, and New York Mets. He won a World Series title with the Florida (Miami) Marlins in 1997.

Cook will team with Baseball United co-owner and former New York Yankees All-Star Nick Swisher, who will serve as the team’s honorary general manager. Swisher also won a World Series title in 2009. The two former MLB stars will work to create a winning culture at one of the Middle East’s first-ever professional baseball franchises.

“Dennis is an amazing addition to our Baseball United team,” said Kash Shaikh, CEO, chairman, and majority owner of Baseball United. “He’s a proven winner, with meaningful contributions to a lot of winning ball clubs for a decade and a half during his MLB career. Since then, he’s stayed wired into the game at the amateur, professional, and international levels. You can feel his passion in every conversation, and he will be an amazing ambassador for the game here in the UAE. I can’t wait to see him on the field leading the Falcons.”

Cook pitched over 1,000 innings at the MLB level, amassing more than 60 wins and over 700 strikeouts, shifting from starter to relief pitcher for the majority of his career. Cook was also a good hitter and is No. 2 on the list of Major League All-Time Best Hitting Pitchers between 1973 and 2003 (with 100 or more at-bats).

On the international stage, Cook served as Team Sweden’s head coach in 2010.

“I’m honored to be named the manager of the Falcons,” said Cook. “It’s been so exciting watching Baseball United develop, and it’s a blessing to now be a central part of this journey. I’m truly grateful to Kash, John Miedreich (executive vice president of baseball operations), and the entire team for giving me the opportunity to be part of something incredibly special. The credentials of this ownership group are outstanding, and we have the right people to execute this remarkable vision. I can’t wait to work alongside Nick to help make the UAE proud.”

Swisher, who was recently in Dubai for the launch of the Falcons franchise, will also play a role as a color analyst for Baseball United’s television broadcasts.

“I continue to be grateful for the opportunities that Baseball United has awarded me,” said Swisher. “As an investor and co-owner, my goal was to be an active participant in the creation and growth of this league. Now, not only will I be able to call the games from the broadcast booth, but I’ll be able to help shape the roster of one of our flagship franchises. The best part — I get to partner with Dennis to make it all happen.”

The Falcons will start play during Baseball United’s first season, slated to begin in November of 2024.


Al-Ittihad’s match against Iran’s Sepahan cancelled due to Qassem Soleimani busts in stadium

Al-Ittihad’s match against Iran’s Sepahan has been officially cancelled due to busts of Qasem Soleimani at the stadium.
Al-Ittihad’s match against Iran’s Sepahan has been officially cancelled due to busts of Quds Force commander
Updated 02 October 2023
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Al-Ittihad’s match against Iran’s Sepahan cancelled due to Qassem Soleimani busts in stadium

Al-Ittihad’s match against Iran’s Sepahan has been officially cancelled due to busts of Qasem Soleimani at the stadium.
  • Match against Saudi club called off over pitchside banners and busts honoring dead warlord Qassem Soleimani

JEDDAH: A furious row erupted on Monday after an Iranian football club tried to use a match against Saudi opponents for political propaganda.

The AFC Champions League match at the Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium in Isfahan between Sepahan and Jeddah team Al-Ittihad was called off when the Iranian club refused to remove political banners and busts of the late Revolutionary Guard warlord Qassem Soleimani from the edge of the pitch.

Al-Itiihad staff and some players noted the busts and banners at an initial pitch inspection, and reported the issue to the referee and observers from the Asian Football Confederation. AFC rules explicitly outlaw the use of a football match to promote a political message. Confederation officials asked Sepahan staff to remove the offending propaganda, but they refused.

After requesting a delay of half an hour to assess the situation, the Saudi team and staff left the stadium to head to the airport and back to Saudi Arabia.

The confederation said Monday’s second round group stage match had been “canceled due to unanticipated and unforeseen circumstances. The AFC reiterates its commitment toward ensuring the safety and security of the players, match officials, spectators, and all stakeholders involved. This matter will now be referred to the relevant committees.”

Saudi Arabia and Iran signed a Chinese-brokered agreement in March to resume diplomatic relations after seven years of tension. Home-and-away football matches between Saudi and Iranian teams resumed only in September, after being played at neutral venues since 2016.


NBA, Mavericks and Timberwolves to engage with youth players in UAE

NBA, Mavericks and Timberwolves to engage with youth players in UAE
Updated 02 October 2023
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NBA, Mavericks and Timberwolves to engage with youth players in UAE

NBA, Mavericks and Timberwolves to engage with youth players in UAE
  • ‘Jr. NBA Week’ will return to Abu Dhabi and bring together more than 2,500 youth and 250 coaches from the local community and region
  • The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 presented by ADQ will feature the Mavericks and Timberwolves facing off twice at Etihad Arena

ABU DHABI: The National Basketball Association has announced a series of social impact programming for youth, coaches and basketball stakeholders that will be hosted in collaboration with the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 presented by ADQ.

The week of activities, which will be highlighted by the return of Jr. NBA Week to Abu Dhabi following its debut in 2022, will run from Monday Oct. 2 until Sunday, Oct. 8 and reach more than 2,500 youth and 250 coaches from the UAE and across the Middle East and Europe. 

Jr. NBA Week will feature youth clinics and basketball development programming focused on teaching the game, promoting health and wellness, and empowering the next generation of players, coaches and referees, and will feature appearances by Mavericks and Timberwolves players and coaches, NBA and WNBA legends, and USA Basketball Youth and Sport Development coach director, Don Showalter.

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 will feature the Mavericks and the Timberwolves playing two preseason games at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, Oct. 5 and Saturday, Oct. 7.

The event follows last year’s preseason games between the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks, which marked the league’s first games in the Arabian Gulf.  


Blitzers, Pearls, Thunderbolts and Marvels register wins in ILT20 Development Tournament’s opening weekend

Blitzers, Pearls, Thunderbolts and Marvels register wins in ILT20 Development Tournament’s opening weekend
Updated 02 October 2023
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Blitzers, Pearls, Thunderbolts and Marvels register wins in ILT20 Development Tournament’s opening weekend

Blitzers, Pearls, Thunderbolts and Marvels register wins in ILT20 Development Tournament’s opening weekend
  • Six squads finalized through a Player Draft are competing in the 18-match contest in Dubai
  • Preparations for DP World ILT20 season 2 in full swing following the success of first edition

DUBAI: The Blitzers, Pearls, Thunderbolts and Marvels have recorded impressive wins in the opening weekend of the ILT20 Development Tournament.

The contest is aimed at providing an opportunity for UAE players to grab 13 spots still up for grabs in the DP World ILT20 season two.

In the tournament opener, player of the match Usman Khan’s unbeaten 68 off 52 balls (nine fours, one six) ensured a comfortable seven wicket win for the Blitzers. The 115-run chase was delivered without any major hiccups, with 20 balls to spare.

Earlier, the Marvels lost opener Mayank Choudhry on the tournament’s very first ball, and struggled to get going in their innings after being asked to bat first. Young all-rounder Aayan Afzal Khan top-scored with 24 runs while captain Basil Hameed scored 20. Uzair Khan and Muhammad Zubair took three wickets each as the Marvels were bowled out for 114 in 18.1 overs.

The Pearls recorded a 19-run win against the Dynamos in the second match on Saturday — a competitive 151 for eight in their 20 overs. Asked to bat first, the Pearls were well served by their opener Aryansh Sharma who scored a blazing 63 off 41 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes. All-rounder Zawar Farid (player of the match) had a memorable game as he first contributed 26 useful runs with the bat in a 42-run fifth wicket partnership with Aryansh before taking four wickets with the ball.

The Dynamos got off to a flying start but failed to maintain the momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals. Opener Samal Udawaththa top scored with 28, and Muhammad Shahdad made a 23-run contribution. Zawar gave away a mere 20 runs in his 3.4 overs for his four wickets. Adhitya Shetty was also impressive with the ball, at three for 27.

In the opening match on Sunday and third of the tournament, Asif Khan’s 87 not out (59 balls, six fours, six sixes) for the Braves went in vain as the Thunderbolts powered through the 166-run chase for the loss of five wickets.

The Braves were asked to bat first and posted a competitive 165-run total on the back of Asif’s blazing innings, the opener hitting some lusty blows to propel his side past the 160-run mark. Junaid Shamzu smashed 31 off 10 balls (two fours, three sixes) in an unbroken 65-run alliance with Asif.

The Thunderbolts chased down the runs courtesy of an unbeaten 19-ball 45 by Ansh Tandon. The left-hander hit two fours and five sixes in his brilliant innings. Captain Rohan Mustafa scored 43 off 36 balls (six fours), and the Thunderbolts completed the chase with three balls left. Haider Ali took two wickets.

The Marvels registered their first win when they defeated the Pearls by seven wickets in the second match on Sunday. Batting first, the Marvels could only manage a paltry 121-run total. Player of the match Muhammad Zuhaib and Aayan Afzal Khan took four and three wickets respectively as the Marvels struggled to get going.

The 122-run chase was duly completed by the Marvels in 17.2 overs. Opener Mayank Choudhry top-scored with 47 off 49 balls (five fours, one six), and captain Rahul Chopra scored an unbeaten 31 off 23.