$41,000 in prizes up for grabs in race for female jockeys at the Crown Prince Camel Festival

$41,000 in prizes up for grabs in race for female jockeys at the Crown Prince Camel Festival
The fifth edition of the Crown Prince Camel Festival began on August 1, 2023, at Taif Camel Racing Field. (SPA)
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Updated 10 August 2023
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$41,000 in prizes up for grabs in race for female jockeys at the Crown Prince Camel Festival

$41,000 in prizes up for grabs in race for female jockeys at the Crown Prince Camel Festival
  • The race on Aug. 28 is organized in cooperation with the International Camel Racing Federation, in support of the development of women’s sports
  • The Crown Prince Camel Festival, which includes 589 races and a total prize pool of SR56.25 million, began on Aug. 1 and culminates on Aug. 28

Female jockeys will compete for a total prize pool of SR155,000 ($41,000) in a 2 kilometer race during the fifth Crown Prince Camel Festival at Taif Camel Field this month.

The race, which will take place on Aug. 28, was established by the festival’s organizing committee in cooperation with the International Camel Racing Federation in support of efforts by local and international camel racing authorities to help develop women’s sports.

Competitors can register for the race through Saudi Camel Racing Federation’s social media platforms, organizers said. It will take place in accordance with the rules, regulations and supervision of the ICRF, which stipulate that riders must be at least 18 years old, wear appropriate uniforms and use proper safety equipment, as specified by the organizing committee. The race is open to the following categories of camel: Hail, Thanaya Bakkar, Zamoul, and Thanaya Qadaan.

The Crown Prince Camel Festival, which includes 589 races and a total prize pool of SR56.25 million, began on Aug. 1 and culminates on Aug. 28.


Former MMA star Sapp praises Saudi Arabia’s fighting ambitions

Former MMA star Sapp praises Saudi Arabia’s fighting ambitions
Updated 30 September 2023
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Former MMA star Sapp praises Saudi Arabia’s fighting ambitions

Former MMA star Sapp praises Saudi Arabia’s fighting ambitions
  • Bob Sapp is one of the most famous foreign MMA fighters in Japan

TOKYO: Bob Sapp, one of the most famous foreign MMA fighters in Japan, has praised Saudi Arabia for its sporting ambitions, which will be highlighted at the end of October when WBC Heavyweight Boxing Champion Tyson Fury takes on UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou in an exhibition match in Riyadh.

“Saudi Arabia, I tell you, it looks to be very exciting,” Sapp said in an interview with Arab News Japan. “Saudi Arabia is a powerhouse in the combat entertaining, combat sports arena. Hosting Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou is absolutely excellent. Tyson Fury is the No. 1 heavyweight in the world in boxing, Francis Ngannou is the No. 1 MMA heavyweight. This will be very big.”

Twenty years ago, Sapp was one of the most famous MMA athletes in the world, having given up NFL football for fighting. He became hugely popular in Japan both in the K-1 mixed martial arts field and as a celebrity. At the age of 50, he is still active and says he would also like to fight in the Middle East, hinting that a big fight could take place later this year.

“Who will go against Saudi Arabia or Tyson Fury vs. Ngannou?” he asked. “I think Dubai, they’ve got some very big powerhouse hitters as well and Dubai would like to compete in the arena as well.”

Sapp says negotiations are ongoing for a possible fight against a big-name fighter in an Arab country, but no deal has been confirmed yet.

This article originally appeared on Arab News Japan


Koreas clash at Asian Games as fierce rivalries take center stage

Koreas clash at Asian Games as fierce rivalries take center stage
Updated 30 September 2023
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Koreas clash at Asian Games as fierce rivalries take center stage

Koreas clash at Asian Games as fierce rivalries take center stage
  • Arch-rivals North and South Korea face off in football, while India and Pakistan compete in hockey
  • Saturday will see gold medals awarded in weightlifting, diving, shooting, table tennis, and eSports

HANGZHOU: North and South Korea clash on the football pitch and India do battle with Pakistan in hockey as fierce rivalries take center stage at the Asian Games on Saturday.
The men’s and women’s 100m sprint titles will also be contested on the athletics track in Hangzhou, where the rain fell steadily in the early afternoon.
With the Games approaching their halfway point, hosts China have raked in 107 gold medals, far ahead of the rest, with Zhang Zhizhen doing his part on Saturday by winning the men’s tennis crown.
The 60th-ranked Zhang made a slow start and fell 4-1 behind in the first set of the final against Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki.
But with the home crowd roaring him on, the 26-year-old from Shanghai battled back to win 6-4, 7-6 (9/7) and become the first Chinese men’s singles tennis champion at the Games since 1994.
“It’s been a very, very tough week, not just this match, but very tough for the whole week actually, from the first match onwards,” said Zhang.
“But I’m super-happy that from the beginning of the first match, step by step, I’ve played better and better tennis.”
Earlier in the day, Taiwan’s Chan Hao-ching and Chang Yung-jan won gold in women’s doubles. The second-seeded pair beat fellow Taiwanese Lee Ya-hsuan and Liang En-shuo 6-4, 6-3.
Rising Chinese star Zheng Qinwen won the women’s singles title on Friday.
Some of Saturday’s most mouthwatering match-ups come later in the day.
North Korea and South Korea face off for a place in the semifinals of the women’s football, with local and regional bragging rights at stake between two countries that are still technically at war.
Also in the last eight, holders Japan play the Philippines, China face Thailand and Taiwan meet Uzbekistan.
Towards the end of another packed schedule, arch-rivals Pakistan and India face off in a men’s hockey group match, in what is sure to be another fierce encounter between neighbors with fraught ties.
Gold medals will be won on Saturday in other sports, including weightlifting, diving, shooting, table tennis and eSports.
Diving, which is expected to be dominated by the home nation’s world-class squad, and weightlifting get under way for the first time at these Games.
The drizzle could be a factor in the outdoor sports.
As well as the 100m titles, five other golds will be snapped up on the second day of track and field.
EJ Obiena of the Philippines, the world number two, will be hot favorite to clinch a first Asian Games gold of his career in the pole vault.
 


Al-Hilal return to SPL summit after Riyadh Derby win over Al-Shabab

Al-Hilal return to SPL summit after Riyadh Derby win over Al-Shabab
Updated 30 September 2023
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Al-Hilal return to SPL summit after Riyadh Derby win over Al-Shabab

Al-Hilal return to SPL summit after Riyadh Derby win over Al-Shabab
  • Despite a missed Neymar penalty, a 2-0 win saw the former champions leapfrog Al-Ittihad who had drawn 0-0 with Al-Fayha

Al-Hilal returned to the top of the Roshn Saudi League table after defeating Al-Shabab 2-0 in the Riyadh Derby at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Friday night.

Al-Hilal had entered the eighth round of matches trailing reigning champions Al-Ittihad by one point, but took advantage of their Jeddah rivals’ 0-0 draw against Al-Fayha earlier in the day to return to the summit with three deserved points.

Al-Hilal’s goals came from Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly in the 68th minute and Serbian forward Aleksandar Mitrovic eight minutes later.

Al-Hilal now top the Saudi Pro League table with 20 points, while Al-Shabab remainon eight points in 11th place ahead of the round’s remaining matches over the weekend.

Al-Hilal’s Brazilian superstar Neymar remains without a goal for the club after having first half penalty saved by Al-Shabab goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.

The South Korean No.1 had previously conceded three penalties in two matches against Neymar playing for his country and had told Arab News prior to the match that he was ready to face his nemesis in the SPL.

However, his heroics could not prevent the two second goals that put an end to Al-Shabab’s three match winning streak.


Pakistan’s World Cup worries continue with warm-up loss to New Zealand

Pakistan’s World Cup worries continue with warm-up loss to New Zealand
Updated 30 September 2023
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Pakistan’s World Cup worries continue with warm-up loss to New Zealand

Pakistan’s World Cup worries continue with warm-up loss to New Zealand
  • Mohammed Rizwan scores 103, Babar Azam makes 80 as Pakistan scored 345-5
  • Half-centuries by Ravindra, Williamson and Chapman power Kiwis’ successful chase

HYDERABAD: Pakistan’s Mohammed Rizwan hit an impressive century inside an eerily empty stadium on Friday but his team suffered a heavy defeat to New Zealand in their World Cup warm-up fixture.
Pakistan went down to a five-wicket loss to the Black Caps at the 55,000-capacity Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The game, however, was played behind closed doors due to a Hindu festival and security issues in the southern Indian city.
Rizwan hit 103 with nine fours and two sixes in his 94-ball innings while skipper Babar Azam made 80 in Pakistan’s 345-5 after electing to bat first.
“A hundred is hundred in any conditions. I feel proud and satisfied,” said Rizwan.
Rachin Ravindra and the returning Kane Williamson then played key knocks as New Zealand chased down the target with 6.2 overs to spare.
Ravindra (97) and Williamson (54) put on 137 to put their team on course against a Pakistan attack missing pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Williamson, who returned from a six-month lay-off due to a knee injury and played the match only as a batsman, looked impressive in his 50-ball stay before he retired out.
“It held up pretty good,” Williamson, who will miss the tournament opener against England on October 5, said about his knee after the win.
“Little bit of icing after that (knock). But that’s part of the process. Fortunate with that recovery and being named in the squad was exciting to me.”
Left-hand batsman Mark Chapman made an unbeaten 65 while Mitchell Santner contributed 59 before he retired out.
At Guwahati, Liton Das, Tanzid Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz struck half-centuries to guide Bangladesh to a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their opening warmup match.
Chasing Sri Lanka’s 263, Bangladesh knocked off the runs with eight overs to spare
Liton and Tanzid got Bangladesh motoring from the off as they put on 131 for the first wicket in 20 overs.
Liton cracked 10 boundaries in his 56-ball 61 before being caught by Matheesha Pathirana off Dushan Hemantha.
Tanzid, 22, has only played five ODIs but looked at home as he stroked two sixes and 10 fours on his way to 84 from 88 balls.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, skipper for the day, led Bangladesh home with an undefeated 67 off 64 balls with five boundaries and two sixes.
He and Mushfiqur Rahim (35) put on an undefeated 76 for the fourth wicket.
Sri Lanka had won the toss and chose to bat.
Opener Pathum Nissanka top scored with 68 while Dhananjaya de Silva hit 55.
The day’s other scheduled warm-up between Afghanistan and South Africa in Thiruvananthapuram was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain.
On Saturday, five-time winners Australia face the Netherlands at Thiruvananthapuram while hosts India tackle defending champions England at Guwahati.
 


Asian Games: India beat arch-rivals Pakistan to bag gold in men’s squash

Asian Games: India beat arch-rivals Pakistan to bag gold in men’s squash
Updated 15 min 21 sec ago
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Asian Games: India beat arch-rivals Pakistan to bag gold in men’s squash

Asian Games: India beat arch-rivals Pakistan to bag gold in men’s squash
  • Pakistan qualified for Asian Games squash final after 13 years
  • India beat defending champions Malaysia to qualify for the final

ISLAMABAD: India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday to bag the gold medal in the men’s squash tournament for the 19th Asian Games in China’s Hangzhou city, the World Squash Federation (WSF) confirmed.
It was the first time in 13 years that Pakistan had qualified for the squash tournament final in the Asian Games. Their journey to the final was sealed with a victory over No.3 seeds Hong Kong in the men’s team squash semifinal. Likewise, India secured their place in the final by defeating the defending champions, Malaysia, in a match on Friday.
“India defeat rivals Pakistan to win the men’s team squash championship at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou,” the World Squash Federation (WSF) announced on X, formerly Twitter known as Twitter.


Pakistan entered the Asian Games championships as the underdogs, with the team seeded fourth. Pakistan earlier beat No.1 seeds India during their pool stage of the match to finish on top of the table.
On Friday, Pakistan’s Noor Zaman, 19, and Nasir Iqbal won their games against the Hong Kong players to hand the South Asian side a 2-1 victory over their opponents, helping them qualify for the final.