Hudson takes over at Qatari club a week after quitting American job

Hudson takes over at Qatari club a week after quitting American job
Anthony Hudson has agreed a two-year deal to guide Al Markhiya in the Qatari soccer league. (AFP)
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Updated 07 June 2023
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Hudson takes over at Qatari club a week after quitting American job

Hudson takes over at Qatari club a week after quitting American job
  • Anthony Hudson has agreed a two-year deal to guide Al Markhiya in the Qatari soccer league
  • The club posted confirmation of the two-year contract on social media platforms

DOHA: Anthony Hudson has agreed a two-year deal to guide Al Markhiya in the Qatari soccer league a week after quitting as interim head coach of the US men’s national team.
The club posted confirmation of the two-year contract on its social media platforms late Wednesday, saying Hudson’s immediate goal is to help Al Markhiya improve on the seventh-place finish it achieved in its first season after promotion to the Qatar Stars League.
Hudson quit as interim head coach of the US men’s team last week, just two weeks before he was to lead the Americans in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals.
He was replaced by BJ Callaghan. At the time, the US Soccer Federation said Hudson was taking a job with a club but not identify the team or the role.
Hudson had been appointed to the US job on Jan. 4, and guided the Americans to two wins, one loss and two draws. His five games were the fewest for a US coach since John Kowalski in 1991.


Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk to fight in title bout in Riyadh

Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk to fight in title bout in Riyadh
Updated 12 sec ago
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Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk to fight in title bout in Riyadh

Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk to fight in title bout in Riyadh

LONDON: WBC world heavyweight title holder Tyson Fury and WBA, WBO and IBF world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will fight in Riyadh, it was announced on Friday.

Additional details, including the fight date, will be announced shortly, BBC Sport reported.

“Delighted to finally get this fight signed, this is the biggest fight that could possibly be made in our sport,” Queensbury promoter Frank Warren said.

“The heavyweights always spark the imagination of the fans, and I have no doubt this will be the biggest boxing event of the century,” he added.

“I can't believe that it's happening but it is,” Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk said.

Usyk - who has won all of his 21 professional bouts - defended his titles against British fighter Daniel Dubois in August.

Fury will fight a non-title bout against MMA star Francis Ngannou on 28 October, also in Riyadh.

The fight is part of the Riyadh Season line-up of events for its 2023 edition.


Man Utd’s Martinez ruled out for ‘extended period’

Man Utd’s Martinez ruled out for ‘extended period’
Updated 29 September 2023
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Man Utd’s Martinez ruled out for ‘extended period’

Man Utd’s Martinez ruled out for ‘extended period’
  • Lisandro Martinez will be out of action for an extended period due to an aggravation of the foot injury he suffered in April
  • Defender Sergio Reguilon will miss the game against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford

LONDON: Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for an “extended period” after aggravating a foot injury he suffered last season.
Martinez was sidelined for around two months when he sustained a fractured metatarsal in United’s Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla in April.
The Argentina center-back is now likely to be out of action for a similar period after United confirmed the foot problem is still an issue.
“Lisandro Martinez will be out of action for an extended period due to an aggravation of the foot injury he suffered in April,” a statement said.
“The Argentinian defender experienced the setback in our Premier League game against Arsenal earlier this month.
“Martinez bravely continued playing for the following two games against Brighton and Bayern Munich.
“But it has now been determined that he needs a period on the sidelines for recovery and rehabilitation. Assessment is ongoing to decide next steps.”
Adding to United boss Erik ten Hag’s problems, the club also confirmed that defender Sergio Reguilon will miss the game against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday with a “minor injury.”


Abu Dhabi preseason games key to building championship-winning habits, says Dallas Mavericks’ head coach

Abu Dhabi preseason games key to building championship-winning habits, says Dallas Mavericks’ head coach
Updated 29 September 2023
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Abu Dhabi preseason games key to building championship-winning habits, says Dallas Mavericks’ head coach

Abu Dhabi preseason games key to building championship-winning habits, says Dallas Mavericks’ head coach
  • Dallas Mavericks take on Minnesota Timberwolves in two games as part of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd says his team will look to build “championship habits” when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in two preseason games as part of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 presented by ADQ.

The matchups are scheduled for Oct. 5 and 7 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island and mark the second consecutive year the NBA, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, is hosting preseason games in the UAE capital.

“In both games, we will bring our competitive spirit to the court,” said Kidd, a 10-time NBA All-Star. “It’s all about improvement and developing championship habits. Our visit to Abu Dhabi provides a unique opportunity to cultivate those championship habits, and we are fully committed to doing just that.”

Reflecting on the previous season’s disappointing conclusion, which saw the Mavericks finish with a losing record for the first time since 2018-19, Kidd added: “We didn’t finish the previous season as we had hoped, but with a fresh start ahead, including a training camp and a full season, we anticipate stronger team chemistry, also between Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. Our primary focus is to build a championship-caliber team, and that requires adhering to the championship ethos while assembling the right pieces around Kyrie and Luka. The ultimate goal is to win the championship.”

The NBA’s partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi aims to promote basketball in the Middle East and foster local talent. Kidd, a two-time Olympic basketball gold medalist, is aware of the sport and its standing outside the US.

“When it comes to basketball, the NBA has made significant investments in the game’s development,” Kidd said. “I firmly believe that, given time and resources, we will see players from the Middle East make it to the NBA. This transformation won’t happen overnight, but I envision a future where every country in the world produces an NBA player.”

In addition to the games themselves, the Abu Dhabi experience offers players and teams an opportunity to explore what the UAE capital has to offer.

“We are excited to visit Abu Dhabi and discover a different part of the world,” said Kidd. “Basketball not only unites us on the court, but also opens doors to experiencing new cultures, cuisines, and languages. This presents a fantastic opportunity for those who have not yet explored the Middle East to embrace these enriching aspects.”

Tickets for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 presented by ADQ can be purchased at etihadarena.ae and ticketmaster.ae.


Indonesia ready to face Saudi squad at Futsal Asian Cup qualifier 

Indonesia ready to face Saudi squad at Futsal Asian Cup qualifier 
Updated 29 September 2023
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Indonesia ready to face Saudi squad at Futsal Asian Cup qualifier 

Indonesia ready to face Saudi squad at Futsal Asian Cup qualifier 
  • Saudi Arabia will play Indonesia in Dammam on Oct. 11 
  • Indonesia head coach says Saudi futsal league can become ‘best in the world’ 

JAKARTA: Indonesia is preparing to face Saudi Arabia in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers, the national team’s head coach said on Friday, as the team arrived in the Kingdom for the competition starting next week. 

The AFC Futsal Asian Cup is the biennial international futsal championship organized by the Asian Football Confederation for the men’s national teams of Asia. Its 17th edition is going to be held in Thailand in April next year. 

Sixteen teams are competing in the tournament and the top four will qualify for the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan. 

Indonesia is in Group B, together with the hosts and the national teams of Afghanistan and Macau. All Group B matches will be held at Green Hall Sports City in Dammam from Oct. 7 to Oct. 11. 

Marcos Sorato, the Indonesian team’s Brazilian head coach, said they had been training very hard ahead of the competition. 

“We are very happy to be here, and we will do our best for Indonesian futsal,” Sorato told Arab News over the phone from Dammam. “We are representing Indonesia’s futsal, the players, staff and fans.” 

Indonesia will play Macau on Oct. 7 and Afghanistan on Oct. 9. They will face Saudi Arabia on the last day of the competition. 

Sorato expected Saudi Arabia to be Indonesia’s toughest opponent, as the team have been doing “a great job” under their Spanish head coach Andreu Plaza. 

“They are doing great,” he said. “They are the strongest national team in our group.” 

He sees a bright future not only for the Kingdom’s side but also for the whole league. 

“Saudi Arabia’s futsal league can be the best in the world if there is investment and support,” he said. 

“The league is very good today, (with) 20 clubs. I’m sure it will be a great league in the next years.” 

Sorato was appointed the head coach of the Indonesian National Futsal Team in August. 

Previously serving as an assistant and head coach of Brazil, he steered his team to victory in the Futsal World Cup in 2008 and 2012. 


Olympics-No restrictions on hijab in Paris 2024 Games’ athletes village-IOC

Olympics-No restrictions on hijab in Paris 2024 Games’ athletes village-IOC
Updated 29 September 2023
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Olympics-No restrictions on hijab in Paris 2024 Games’ athletes village-IOC

Olympics-No restrictions on hijab in Paris 2024 Games’ athletes village-IOC
  • The sports competitions at the Olympics are organized and overseen by the individual international sports federations
  • There are 32 sports on the program of the Paris Games

BERLIN: Athletes can wear a hijab in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games athletes’ village without any restriction, the International Olympic Committee said on Friday, days after France’s sports minister banned it for the host country’s athletes.
The Olympic body also said it needed to better understand the situation in France and had been in contact with the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF).
French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said on Sunday French athletes would be barred from wearing a hijab during the Paris Games to respect principles of secularism.
“For the Olympic Village, the IOC rules apply,” an IOC spokesperson said. “There are no restrictions on wearing the hijab or any other religious or cultural attire.”
The vast majority of the approximately 10,000 athletes at Olympic Games reside in apartments in the Olympic village and share common spaces, including dining halls and recreational areas.
“When it comes to competitions, the regulations set by the relevant International Federation (IF) apply,” the IOC spokesperson said.
The sports competitions at the Olympics are organized and overseen by the individual international sports federations.
There are 32 sports on the program of the Paris Games.
“Since this French regulation relates to the members of the French team only, we are in contact with the CNOSF to further understand the situation regarding the French athletes,” the spokesperson said.
Home to one of Europe’s largest Muslim minorities, France has implemented laws designed to protect its strict form of secularism, known as “laicité,” which President Emmanuel Macron has said is under threat from Islamism.
Some Muslim associations and human rights groups allege those laws have targeted Muslims, chipped away at democratic protections and left them vulnerable to abuse.
The French decision to bar its athletes from wearing a hijab was criticized by the United Nations human rights office this week.
Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to Aug. 11 next year.