Al-Ittihad fans hail possible signing of Karim Benzema

Al-Ittihad fans hail possible signing of Karim Benzema
Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema celebrates scoring a goal from the penalty spot during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Athletic Club Bilbao. (File/AFP)
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Updated 06 June 2023
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Al-Ittihad fans hail possible signing of Karim Benzema

Al-Ittihad fans hail possible signing of Karim Benzema
  • French striker leaving Real Madrid after 14 seasons
  • Announcement on deal expected ‘in coming days’

JEDDAH: The reigning champions of Saudi Arabia, Al-Ittihad, are reportedly edging ever closer to signing Karim Benzema from Real Madrid.

This comes in the wake of the Spanish club announcing on Sunday morning that the French forward is departing after 14 seasons.

The 35-year-old has been the subject of much speculation recently, with the striker expected to confirm his move in the coming days.

Benzema has reportedly received a lucrative offer from Al-Ittihad. He could become the latest major star to play in Saudi Arabia after his ex-teammate Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr.

Reports started circulating after Benzema also confirmed on Sunday he would leave the Bernabeu this summer. There was also a report that Al-Ittihad’s president and vice president traveled to Madrid on Saturday morning, on a mission to sign the player.

Many Al-Ittihad supporters are hoping that the Saudi champions can get this deal sealed over the next few days.

Hamza Al-Sayed, a sports columnist, told Arab News that Benzema would be a coup for the Kingdom. “Benzema has been crucial for Real Madrid in their quest for Champions League glory in recent years, and now he is considered to be one of the legendary players (to have) played for Real Madrid.”

Al-Sayed said that if Benzema joins Al-Ittihad, it would be a move to one of the oldest football clubs in Saudi Arabia that has won nine Saudi league titles and holds 48 championship wins, three of which are in Asia.

It would be “simply, a great player joining a great club,” said Al-Sayed.

Omar Abu Al-Faraj, a big supporter of Al-Ittihad, who has been a season ticketholder since the age of 14, and hardly missed a game, said he was excited at the possibility.

“I think this year is holding great moments for us as Ittihad’s fans, winning the Saudi Premier League, the Saudi Super Cup, qualified to play among top clubs at the FIFA Club World Cup, and now we are getting very close to sign the great striker Benzema. It has been really a lucky year and we are having amazing achievements,” he said.

“Having the great striker Benzema with our squad is really a great addition and we really look forward to seeing him in Al-Ittihad’s shirt.”

Many Al-Ittihad fans have taken to Twitter to express their delight at the prospect of the Ballon d’Or winner joining the team.

Sara Aziz tweeted: “@benzema all eyes on you, cant wait to see you wearing black and yellow.”

Faisal Al-Harbi, another fan, tweeted: “Welcome ‘Benzema’ to the greatest club in the Middle East.”

Fan Walid Al-Sharari tweeted: “Whatever you expect, your luck is great … Benzema left a great football club in Europe and now coming to the greatest club in Asia.”

Al-Ittihad have also been linked with Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, whose status at the English club is uncertain. The president and vice president of Al-Ittihad reportedly traveled to London on Monday to sign Kante.


Saudi U-23 football team defeats Mongolia to top group at 2023 Asian Games

Saudi U-23 football team defeats Mongolia to top group at 2023 Asian Games
Updated 21 September 2023
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Saudi U-23 football team defeats Mongolia to top group at 2023 Asian Games

Saudi U-23 football team defeats Mongolia to top group at 2023 Asian Games
  • Saudi female rower Haya Al-Mami qualifies for the semifinals of the women’s single sculls competition
  • Over 6,000 journalists and 1,500 photographers have applied to cover the 19th Asian Games

HANGZHOU, China: The Saudi U-23 football team took the lead in the second group on Thursday after winning their second match against Mongolia at the 2023 Asian Games.
The Green Falcons thrashed Mongolia 3-0 with Haitham Asiri, Mohamed Marran and Naif Masoud scoring on the 18th, 49th and 74th minutes, respectively.
The Saudis now lead the group with three points following a goalless draw with Iran in their opening game.
Saudi female rower Haya Al-Mami has qualified for the semifinals of the women’s single sculls competition (W1x) after finishing third in the second round.
The semifinal will take place at 3 p.m. on Friday at the Fuyang Lake Water Sports Center, and will include competitors from South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan and China.
In the men’s lightweight double sculls (LM2x) competition, Saudi duo Turki Al-Aarf and Sultan Al-Shali advanced to group B after finishing fifth in the second round.
Their teammate Rakan Ali Reda advanced to group C in the men’s single sculls (M1x) competition after finishing sixth in the second round.
On Friday, the Saudi table tennis team start their participation when they face the host country China at 6 pm.
The draw for the table tennis competition on Thursday placed the Saudi team in the group with China and Vietnam.
The competitions involve 20 teams in the men’s category and 18 in the women’s category.
The Saudi e-sports team held its first training session at the e-sports hall in the Jiang Hotel in Hangzhou, with 22 players taking part.
Over 6,000 journalists and 1,500 photographers have applied to cover the Asian Games. The organizing committee has set up a comprehensive media center in the Expo Ground area in downtown Hangzhou.
The center features nine large screens for broadcasting live games and can accommodate over 500 media representatives at one time. It functions for 16 hours daily, and provides news, photos, and videos in languages including Arabic, English, Korean, Japanese, Russian and Chinese.
Organizers have dedicated an area for conducting live interviews with guests.


Ticket offer to fans wishing to watch Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games

Ticket offer to fans wishing to watch Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games
Updated 20 September 2023
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Ticket offer to fans wishing to watch Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games

Ticket offer to fans wishing to watch Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games
  • Organizing committee unveils special gesture to celebrate Saudi Arabia’s National Day for fans who purchase tickets between today and Sept. 25 for SR93
  • Single day tickets will also be available at just SR15

RIYADH: The Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games’ organizing committee has revealed a luring offer to fans wishing to watch the competitions at reduced prices, in a special gesture to celebrate Saudi Arabia’s National Day.
With 30 days remaining before the WCG kicks off on Oct. 20, the organizing committee unveiled the limited offer, according to which fans who purchase tickets between today and Sept. 25 will be able to attend the event with unlimited access to daily competitions for just SR93 ($24.79).
Single day tickets will also be available at just SR15, said a media statement.
The single-day tickets will feature a host of benefits, including complimentary parking and unrestricted access to all five sports venues and accompanying fan zone entertainment.
Riyadh hosts the 2023 WCG between Oct. 20 and 30 at King Saud University.
Moreover, free admission will be provided to children under 12, seniors over 65, disabled people and those accompanying them. Those attending the final day’s contests will also be granted entry to the closing ceremony celebrations.
Tickets can be purchased through the official Riyadh 2023 WCG ticketing website https://tickets.riyadh2023.com/ as well as onsite during the competition from designated kiosks at King Saud University.
WCG’s third edition has entered its final phase of preparations. The organizing committee is dedicated to deliver an exceptional experience for all attendees, ensuring that this global celebration of combat sports is accessible and entertaining for everyone.
Combat sports extravaganza is set to take place during 11 thrilling days with over 2,800 athletes and officials attending from over 80 countries.
Each athletic disciplines includes the following: Aikido, Arm-wrestling, Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Ju-jitsu, Karate, Kendo, Kickboxing, Muay-Thai, Sambo, Savate, Sumo, Taekwondo, Wrestling and Wushu.
This year will mark the WCG’s inaugural appearance in the Middle East, with Riyadh proudly serving as the host city.


Saudi national dodgeball team arrive in South Africa for training camp

Saudi national dodgeball team arrive in South Africa for training camp
Updated 20 September 2023
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Saudi national dodgeball team arrive in South Africa for training camp

Saudi national dodgeball team arrive in South Africa for training camp
  • The five-day training trip, during which the players will take part in 18 friendly matches, is part of their preparations for the Asian Dodgeball Championship 2024
  • Coach Hani Nabil will work with the main men’s team and the U-21 squad to assess and develop skills before choosing his team for the tournament next year

SOUTH AFRICA: The Saudi national dodgeball team has arrived in South Africa for a five-day training camp as part of their preparations for the Asian Dodgeball Championship 2024.
Coach Hani Nabil will work with the main men’s national team and the U-21 squad to assess and develop young players’ skill levels, before choosing the final team who will represent the Kingdom at the tournament next year
During their visit, the Saudi players will take part in the South African Friendly Championship and play 18 matches.
The national team squad includes 22 players: Hassan Aman, Ahmed Al-Muhar, Hadi Alawi, Ahmed Al-Quwaii, Mohamed Al-Fardan, Ali Al-Zayer, Hani Al-Abd Rabb Al-Nabi, Mustafa Al-Muhaishi, Ahmed Al-Muhaishi, Hussein Al-Basha, Ahmed Al-Kayyal, Abdul-Rahman Zidane, Salah Kassim, Firas Al-Dalaan, Abdullah Baatab, Sultan Fakhoury, Mohamed Al-Ghannam, Raed Salman, Khaled Al-Shaeri, Maitham Al-Hajji, Moaz Al-Maliki and Saleh Al-Saeed.
The training camp, which will conclude on Sept. 25, was organized by the Saudi Dodgeball Federation. The officials accompanying the team include Abdulaziz Al-Hazani, the federation’s executive director, administrative staff Laila Al-Hamidi, Mustafa Al-Fahd and Fatun Al-Jaber, and technical staff Hani Abdel Malek, Gumulur Issa and Ibrahim Mahdi.


Saudi U-23 football team tie with Iran in opening match at 19th Asian Games

Saudi U-23 football team tie with Iran in opening match at 19th Asian Games
Updated 19 September 2023
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Saudi U-23 football team tie with Iran in opening match at 19th Asian Games

Saudi U-23 football team tie with Iran in opening match at 19th Asian Games
  • The Kingdom is one of 45 countries competing at the Games, which are being hosted by Hangzhou in China and will continue until Oct. 8
  • Members of the Kingdom’s rowing team launch their medal bids on Wednesday, when Sultan Al-Shali and Turki Al-Aarif compete in the lightweight men’s double sculls

HANGZHOU: Saudi Arabia’s U-23 footballers played out a goalless draw with Iran on Tuesday, in their opening match at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Prince Abdullah bin Fahd bin Abdullah, the head of the Saudi delegation at the Games, watched the match, which took place at the Lining Sports Center. The Green Falcons’ next game is on Thursday morning when they will face Mongolia, who were defeated 4-2 by Vietnam on Tuesday.
The Kingdom is one of 45 countries competing in the Games in Hangzhou, which continue until Oct. 8. Members of the Saudi rowing team will launch their medal bids on Wednesday, when Sultan Al-Shali and Turki Al-Aarif compete in the lightweight men’s double sculls, starting at 9:20 a.m. at the main lake in the Fuyang Water Sports Center.
Haya Al-Mami, will race in the women’s single sculls individual event at 3:30 p.m., and Rakan Ali Reda in the men’s single sculls at 4 p.m. The Saudi rowers completed their final training session on Tuesday at the lake.
Meanwhile, the Saudi weightlifting and shooting teams arrived in Hangzhou on Tuesday. The weightlifting team, which includes Seraj Al-Salem, Ali Al-Khazal, Mahmoud Al-Hamid, and Nujood Kharumi, will take part in a 10-day training camp before their competitions begin. The shooting team includes 12 men and women.
The Saudi basketball team’s preparations for the Games continued on Tuesday with a victory in a friendly match against a Chinese team at Shuo Zhang University gym.
The Kingdom’s fencing team took part in morning and evening training sessions that included warm-ups, physical fitness work, and footwork and other individual exercises.
Saudi Arabia’s tennis hopefuls have been taking part in an intense training regime over the past few days, and on Tuesday coach Jean Marie gave brother-and-sister players Ammar and Yara Alhogbani a rest day, during which they visited the physiotherapy center for muscle treatments.
The Kingdom’s table tennis team began training on Tuesday, and took part in a technical meeting with their head coach that focused on tactical training for players Ali Alkhadrawi, Azam Alem, Turki Al-Mutairi and Khaled Al-Sharif.


Riyadh set to host 10th World Championship Festival of Arabian Horses

Riyadh set to host 10th World Championship Festival of Arabian Horses
Updated 19 September 2023
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Riyadh set to host 10th World Championship Festival of Arabian Horses

Riyadh set to host 10th World Championship Festival of Arabian Horses
  • Since establishment of festival, Italy has organized previous 9 events
  • Saudi organizing committee chairman looking forward to welcoming participants

RIYADH: Twenty countries are set to participate in the 10th World Championship Festival of Arabian Horses being hosted by Saudi Arabia next month.
Being staged in Riyadh between Oct. 11 and 14, all nine previous festivals have been organized by Italy.
The event, supervised by the King Abdulaziz Arabian Horse Center, will include the Manefah championship for Saudi Arabian horses of origin, as well as the World Championship for Arabian Horse Beauty in its seventh edition for the Egyptian origin.
Other festival attractions are expected to include a special horse expo, an exhibition of the Arabian Horse identity, an auction for purebred Arabian horses, and an opera bringing together artists from around the world.
Emad Al-Rashid, chairman of the festival’s organizing committee, said he was looking forward to welcoming visitors and participants from major international and local stables interested in purebred Arabian horses.
“We target all segments of society to spread the culture of equestrianism, which is an extension of the authentic Arab heritage and the history of our ancestors,” he added.