Al-Ittihad’s dream becomes reality with Benzema signing

French superstar striker Karim Benzema. @SPL_EN
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French superstar striker Karim Benzema. @SPL_EN
French superstar striker Karim Benzema. @SPL_EN
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French superstar striker Karim Benzema. @SPL_EN
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Updated 11 August 2023
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Al-Ittihad’s dream becomes reality with Benzema signing

French superstar striker Karim Benzema. @SPL_EN
  • Jeddah club strengthens with French international days after celebrating first SPL title in 14 years

What an amazing week for Al-Ittihad fans. Days after winning their first Roshn Saudi League title since 2009, French superstar striker Karim Benzema was confirmed to be joining the Jeddah club from Real Madrid.

It is another dream come true for Al-Ittihad followers and a scary prospect for rivals. The team were relentless in their title-winning campaign. Not only did they have the tightest defense with just 13 goals conceded in 30 games, they also had a devastating strike force. 

Abderrazak Hamdallah topped the scoring charts with 21 and Brazilians Romarinho and Igor Coronado also stood out. Coach Nuno Santo already has a wealth of talent at his disposal.

Now there is Benzema, one of the most feared strikers in the world, even at the age of 35. He may not be at the peak of his career, but he still has plenty to offer, especially with his status as the most recent recipient of the Ballon d’Or. 

He received that coveted individual award — given to the best player in the world — in October of last year after his exploits dug Real Madrid out of a hole more than once as they went on to become the champions of Europe with the Frenchman finishing the Champions League top scorer with 15 goals.

It was the fifth time he has won the biggest prize in club football. 

“If you can’t appreciate Benzema’s greatness then you don’t understand football,” said Zinedine Zidane (also linked to a coaching move to Saudi Arabia) and few would disagree.

Benzama’s Champions League medal haul even matches that of Cristiano Ronaldo. The presence of his former Madrid team-mate in Saudi Arabia has made a difference on a personal level. He contacted Ronaldo to ask about life in the country on and off the pitch. The reply must have been positive.

Ronaldo’s move to Riyadh has had a knock-on effect across the globe, with the huge rise in interest in the Saudi Pro League. He signed with Al-Nassr in December, suddenly putting a move to Saudi Arabia on the radar of many big names in world football. He was the first but there were always going to be others following. 

The only question was whether they would be players at the highest echelons of the world game. It can safely be said that Benzema is firmly in that category. With the Ballon d’Or holder the first major signing of the summer, it is perhaps a sign of things to come.

Title rivals have to accept Al-Ittihad’s challenge. If the champions are strengthening to such an extent, so early, then others are going to have to make similar moves. Al-Nassr have Ronaldo but fell short at the end and are currently without a head coach. That is going to change soon and given the captain’s stature, the new man is going to need a serious reputation.

Al-Hilal finished third and are also on the hunt for a coach to replace Ramon Diaz. After being banned from the last two transfer windows, there is going to be a lot of activity. Lionel Messi has been heavily linked but there are others such as Sergio Busquets. 

Then Al-Shabab are going to invest to try and build on fourth and that is even before Al-Ahli, the other Jeddah powerhouse, who bounced back straight away from their shock relegation, flex their muscles.

Now all know what they are dealing with. Karim Benzema has just made the best team in Saudi Arabia better and has set the scene for a sizzling summer.


Chinese leader inaugurates Asian Games in presence of Saudi Olympic Committee president

Chinese leader inaugurates Asian Games in presence of Saudi Olympic Committee president
Updated 24 September 2023
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Chinese leader inaugurates Asian Games in presence of Saudi Olympic Committee president

Chinese leader inaugurates Asian Games in presence of Saudi Olympic Committee president
  • Athlete Dunia Abu Talib and equestrian Ahmed Al-Sharbatly carry Saudi Arabian flag during opening ceremony
  • Saudi taekwondo competitors Wahid Mughais and Abrar Al-Bukhari will begin their competition in the poomsae category on Sunday

HANGZHOU, China: China’s President Xi Jinping inaugurated the 19th Asian Games in the presence of Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, president of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, on Saturday.
Xi launched the opening ceremony of the tournament, which will continue until Oct. 8, in the presence of several world and Asian leaders, in addition to the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, and Acting President of the Asian Olympic Council, Raja Randhir Singh.
Saudi attendees included Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Vice President Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, and the Director of the Saudi Arabian delegation, Prince Abdullah bin Fahd bin Abdullah.
Athlete Dunia Abu Talib and equestrian competitor Ahmed Al-Sharbatly carried the Saudi Arabian flag as they led the Kingdom’s delegation of athletes, sportsmen and sportswomen during the parade.
Al-Sharbatly and Abu Talib expressed their pride in carrying the flag, saying “it is a dream that any Saudi citizen would wish for” and wishing their teammates success.

Table tennis
In the table tennis competition, Vietnam defeated Saudi Arabia in their second match in the group stage 3-1. In their first match, the Saudis lost 0-3 to China, the top-ranked team in the world.
Players Ali Al-Khudrawi, Azam Alam, Turki Al Mutairi and Khalid Al Sharif represented the Saudi team in the Iron group. Saudi players will still compete in the doubles and singles events.

Taekwondo and rowing
Saudi taekwondo competitors Wahid Mughais and Abrar Al-Bukhari will begin their competition in the poomsae category on Sunday.
Meanwhile, rowers Turki Al-Aaref and Sultan Al-Shali will compete in the men’s double sculls on Sunday evening in group B to determine the rankings from six to 12.
The race will take place in Fuyang Lake Water Sports Center in Hangzhou, with teams from Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan and Thailand taking part.

Esports
Saudi esports player Ahmed Mujahid concluded his technical training on Saturday in preparation for the EA Sports FC Online game on Sunday at the esports venue.

Tennis
Saudi tennis player Ammar Al-Haqbani will face Qatari player Rashid Naif in the 64th round in the men’s singles competition on Sunday. His teammate and sister, Yara Al Haqbani, will meets Mongolian competitor Maraljoo Shumjav in the 64th round of the women’s singles tennis competition on Sunday afternoon.

Handball
The Saudi national handball team face Japan in their opening match at the Gongshang University Sports Center on Sunday afternoon as part of group D, which also includes Iran and Mongolia.

Football
The Saudi U-23 football team is looking to secure a spot in the second round of the Asian Games when they face Vietnam in group B’s final match at the Linbing Sports Center in Hangzhou on Sunday.
The Green Falcons’ Saturday training included fitness recovery exercises, practicing crosses and free kicks, and concluded with stretching exercises.
The team had a goalless draw in their first match against Iran and defeated Mongolia 3-0 on Tuesday.


Saudi Olympic Committee president arrives in Hangzhou for Asian Games

Saudi Olympic Committee president arrives in Hangzhou for Asian Games
Updated 22 September 2023
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Saudi Olympic Committee president arrives in Hangzhou for Asian Games

Saudi Olympic Committee president arrives in Hangzhou for Asian Games
  • Saudi delegation comprises 193 athletes competing in 19 sports
  • Kingdom’s table tennis team lose 3-0 to world champions China

HANGZHOU: Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, president of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, is leading the Kingdom’s delegation to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
According to a media statement on Friday, Al-Faisal arrived in the host city ahead of Saturday’s opening ceremony and was welcomed by Prince Abdullah bin Fahd, the delegation’s director, and Abdulrahman Al-Harbi, the Kingdom’s ambassador to China.
The Saudi delegation comprises 193 athletes, who will compete in 19 sports in the Games, which conclude Oct. 8.
Since the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, Saudi athletes have won 61 medals (25 gold, 13 silver, 23 bronze) in total.
Chinese President opens Asian Games
China’s President Xi Jinping will officially launch the Asian Games on Saturday in the presence of Asian presidents and representatives and the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, at the Big Lotus Stadium in Hangzhou.
The stadium, which accommodates over 80,000 spectators, will host both the opening and closing ceremonies.
Having been delayed for a year due to COVID-19, the 19th Asian Games will host 12,000 athletes representing 45 countries, making it one of the largest so far.
Saudi rower moves on to Group B competitions
Saudi rower Haya Al-Mami has advanced to the Group B competitions after she finished sixth in the semifinals of the women’s single sculls (W1x) on Friday.
The Group B competitions determine rowers’ ranking from 6-12 and will take place on Sept. 25.
Her fellow Saudi athlete Rakan Ali Riza came in third place in the Group C competitions of the men’s single sculls (M1x) category.
Saudi table tennis team lose to world champions
The Kingdom’s table tennis team played China, the world champions and gold medalists at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Jakarta 2018 Asian Games, on Friday. The Saudi team — Ali Al-Khadrawi, Turki Al-Muteiri, and Azam Alam — lost 3-0. Their next match in Group A is against Vietnam.
The Green Falcons prepare for Vietnam
The Saudi Arabian U-23 football team trained on Friday ahead of their final match in the group stage against Vietnam, which takes place on Sunday. The Green Falcons are currently second in Group B.
Basketball team concludes training camp
The Saudi basketball team concluded their six-day training camp in Hangzhou with two friendlies against local clubs, winning both games. The Saudi team are in Group A with Kazakhstan, Iran, and the UAE. Their opening match is against Kazakhstan on Tuesday.
Handball and archery
The Kingdom’s handball and archery teams arrived in Hangzhou on Friday. The handball team have been placed in Group D along with Iran, Mongolia, and Japan. The squad consists of 16 players, who will play their first match against Japan on Sunday.


LIV Golf Jeddah to stage regular season finale next month

LIV Golf Jeddah to stage regular season finale next month
Updated 22 September 2023
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LIV Golf Jeddah to stage regular season finale next month

LIV Golf Jeddah to stage regular season finale next month
  • Individual and team titles, and 2024 league spots all on the line at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club from Oct. 13-15

JEDDAH: LIV Golf makes its highly anticipated return to Royal Greens Golf & Country Club here from Oct. 13 to 15, when the league’s 2023 regular season will reach its conclusion and set the stage for the Team Championship — and the future for many golfers.

The event marks the 13th tournament of the league’s first full season. There are 13 major winners who will compete in King Abdullah Economic City, including 2023 PGA Championship winner and 2023 US Ryder Cup Team selection Brooks Koepka, 2022 Open Champion Cameron Smith, World Golf Hall of Famer Phil Mickelson, 2020 US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau, and two-time major winners Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Martin Kaymer.

There will be much to play for amongst those atop the individual standings. Those further down the standings face a battle to secure their future, with players ranked 45 and below in the “Drop Zone” at season’s end facing relegation and losing their LIV Golf status for next year.

Smith currently leads the individual standings with 170 points after wins in London and Bedminster. In-form American Talor Gooch (149), a three-time individual champion this season, is in hot pursuit of the Australian. They are followed by seven contenders including 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed, 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah winner Koepka, 4Aces GC captain Johnson and Crushers GC captain DeChambeau, who shot a sensational 58 at LIV Golf Greenbrier earlier this year.

Those who finish in the top 24 in the overall standings will lock-in their position in the LIV Golf League for next season. Players finishing in the “Open Zone,” positions 25 to 44, however, may face trade or release by their respective teams. Meanwhile, those finishing in positions 45 and below sitting in the “Drop Zone” will be relegated and automatically qualify for the league’s promotional tournament, where they will have the opportunity to earn their spot back for the 2024 season.

Aside from the individual race, each player in the 48-man field has good reason to make their scores count, as the final team standings following LIV Golf Jeddah will determine seeds one to 12 for the LIV Golf Team Championship in Miami the following week, with the top four teams receiving first-round byes.

Through 11 events, 4Aces GC — featuring Johnson, Reed, Peter Uihlein and Pat Perez — sit atop the team standings with 172 points after wins in Adelaide and London. Torque GC, featuring Chilean stars Joaquin Niemann and Mito Pereira, Colombian Sebastian Munoz, and Spanish rookie David Puig, trail closely behind with 163 total points following wins in Orlando, D.C., Andalucia and Greenbrier.

The all-South African Stinger GC featuring major champions Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace and Dean Burmester, currently sit in third place with 156 points. DeChambeau’s Crushers GC (146 points), including Paul Casey, Charles Howell III and Anirban Lahiri, hold a three-point edge in fourth place over RangeGoats GC (143 points). They boast five top-three finishes this season thanks to standout performances by Gooch, Harold Varner III, Thomas Pieters, and captain Watson.


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.