Dubai-based Baseball United announces BONK as presenting partner for its inaugural season

Dubai-based Baseball United announces BONK as presenting partner for its inaugural season
BONK will be the rpesenting partner for Baseball United's inaugural 2025 season (Baseball United)
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Updated 16 August 2024
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Dubai-based Baseball United announces BONK as presenting partner for its inaugural season

Dubai-based Baseball United announces BONK as presenting partner for its inaugural season
  • The cryptocurrency will also serve as presenting partner for upcoming Arab Classic and Baseball United Cup events

DUBAI: Dubai-based Baseball United, the first professional league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, has announced BONK DAO as the official presenting partner for its inaugural 2025 season.

In addition, the leading technology and lifestyle brand and cryptocurrency will serve as the presenting partner for Baseball United’s upcoming national team tournament, the Arab Classic, as well as the region’s first franchise tournament, The Baseball United Cup.

“We are very excited to welcome BONK to the Baseball United family,” said Kash Shaikh, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Baseball United. “Our organizations have a lot in common.

“BONK’s young journey began around the same time as ours, and, like BU, they’ve been able to quickly create a deep and meaningful impact across the globe.

Season one next year will run from Oct. 23 to Nov. 23 and feature five franchises — the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Arabia Wolves, Mid East Falcons, and a new Riyadh-based franchise to be announced early next year.

Each team will play 12 regular season games, culminating with a United Series best-of-three championship featuring the top two teams. Overall, the league will host 33 games in 32 days.

The Baseball United Cup will take place next year from Feb. 22 to March 1, and feature the league’s first four franchises — the Cobras, Monarchs, Wolves and Falcons — in an eight-day tournament. Teams will compete in a round robin format, followed by the semifinals and finals.

The Arab Classic is BU’s signature event this year, taking place from Nov. 7 to 10 in Dubai. The event will have eight national baseball teams from the region, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

BONK will be integrated into all marketing channels for each event, with a full suite of creative and content assets, including venue branding, broadcast segments, social content, and fan experiences.

BONK is a leading technology and lifestyle brand with a market cap of nearly $1.5 billion and one of the most engaged communities in Web3.

BONK’s sponsorship of Baseball United builds upon the brand’s portfolio of sports partnerships, including a growing footprint across combat sports and football.

The collaboration also represents one of the most significant digital currency sponsorships within sports to date, and one of the largest for professional baseball worldwide.

“We are truly honored to join Baseball United’s historic mission as the Presenting Partner for all 2024 and 2025 events,” said Kadense, core contributor at BONK.

“We focus on the cross-section of currency and culture, and we truly believe that baseball — an iconic part of many cultures — will be the Middle East and South Asia’s next great sport.”

Kadense added: “Dubai is quickly becoming a lighthouse for crypto innovation, and Baseball United’s year-round presence in this amazing city is another element that inspired this partnership.”

 


Liverpool pile on misery for Man City, Man Utd boss Amorim earns first Premier League win

Liverpool pile on misery for Man City, Man Utd boss Amorim earns first Premier League win
Updated 02 December 2024
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Liverpool pile on misery for Man City, Man Utd boss Amorim earns first Premier League win

Liverpool pile on misery for Man City, Man Utd boss Amorim earns first Premier League win
  • City have lost four successive top-flight games for first time since 2008
  • First Premier League champions to endure such dismal run season after claiming title

LONDON: Liverpool piled on the misery for Manchester City as the Premier League leaders beat the troubled champions 2-0 at Anfield, while Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim earned his first league win with a 4-0 rout of Everton on Sunday.
Arne Slot’s side moved nine points clear of second-placed Arsenal after Cody Gakpo’s first-half opener and Mohamed Salah’s late penalty dealt another blow to reeling City, who are languishing 11 points behind Liverpool in fifth place.
City have lost four successive top-flight games for the first time since 2008, making them the first Premier League champions to endure such a dismal run the season after claiming the title.
City have clawed back significant deficits to win the Premier League in the Guardiola era, but they have never managed to lift the title after being behind by more than 10 points.
City’s seven-game winless run ranks as boss Pep Guardiola’s longest barren streak in his glittering managerial career.
Just weeks after he signed a new two-year contract, Liverpool fans taunted Guardiola with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning,” prompting a defiant response from the Spaniard, who held up six fingers to illustrate the number of titles he has won with City.
“The first 20 minutes Liverpool were unstoppable. We tried to play with a lot of control and passes, but it was difficult to take it,” Guardiola said.
“We’ll reset and start from zero. It is difficult to believe it. I rely a lot on these players. We’ll see what happens by the end of the season.”
Liverpool have won 18 of their 20 games in all competitions since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the close-season.
With 11 victories from their 13 Premier League matches, Liverpool are firm favorites to win the title for the first time since 2020.
“We came close to perfection. That’s the only way to beat a quality team like City,” Slot said.
“We have to stay sharp. I don’t think anyone, including me, would have predicted this — to win so much with all the difficult teams we have played already.”
City’s defense was in disarray right from the start and when Salah curled a 12th minute shot toward the far post, Gakpo pounced to poke home from virtually on the line.
Salah’s 78th-minute penalty, awarded for keeper Stefan Ortega’s foul on Luis Diaz, was a dagger in the heart of City’s title hopes.
Amorim stole the spotlight in Sunday’s early games by extending his unbeaten start with United to three matches.
United were held to a 1-1 draw at Ipswich in his first Premier League game last Sunday, before the Portuguese boss earned his maiden win with United in a 3-2 success against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday.
The 39-year-old, who arrived from Sporting Lisbon to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag in November, has warned United would “suffer for a long period” before they can expect to challenge for the title.
This was the most encouraging result of Amorim’s brief time at ninth-placed United.
Marcus Rashford’s 34th-minute drive from the edge of the area took a deflection off Jarrad Branthwaite before flashing into the net.
United struck again seven minutes later as Branthwaite lost possession to Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes teed up Joshua Zirkzee to convert with ease.
Rashford underlined United’s superiority just 20 seconds after the interval as he applied a cool finish to Diallo’s incisive pass, before Zirkee struck again in the 64th minute with a composed strike.
“The result was good but we were pragmatic. It was not pretty,” Amorim said. “It is a rollercoaster. We have some moments when we are good but then we have moments when we have to suffer.”
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to six games with a 3-0 win against Aston Villa, whose dismal winless streak reached eight matches.
Enzo Maresca’s men look capable of securing Champions League qualification after a third successive win in the space of eight days moved them level on points with second-placed Arsenal.
Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez scored in the first half before Cole Palmer struck in the closing stages.
Seventh-placed Tottenham’s top-four hopes were dented by a 1-1 draw against 10-man Fulham.
Brennan Johnson slotted Tottenham into the lead from Timo Werner’s 54th-minute pass, but Tom Cairney curled Fulham’s equalizer into the far corner after 67 minutes.
Cairney was sent off with seven minutes left after his foul on Dejan Kulusevski was upgraded from referee Darren Bond’s initial yellow card to a red after VAR intervened.


Trailer released for Usyk-Fury heavyweight rematch in Saudi Arabia

Trailer released for Usyk-Fury heavyweight rematch in Saudi Arabia
Updated 01 December 2024
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Trailer released for Usyk-Fury heavyweight rematch in Saudi Arabia

Trailer released for Usyk-Fury heavyweight rematch in Saudi Arabia
  • Countdown to fight officially underway

RIYADH: The countdown to December’s hotly anticipated heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury is officially underway following the release of a new cinematic trailer titled “The Obsession.”

Unveiled on Sunday by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, the promo film sets the tone for the “Reignited” bout scheduled for Dec. 21 at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena as part of Riyadh Season.

The clip is set to Kylie Minogue’s smash hit “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” and showcases surreal moments as the rival heavyweights imagine each other everywhere during their daily lives.

From Fury seeing his family transformed into Usyk lookalikes to Usyk envisioning Fury on a sausage — a nod to Fury’s trademark taunts — the promo highlights the fighters’ lighthearted but intense rivalry.

Their rematch follows their electrifying first bout in May, in which Usyk made history as the 21st century’s first undisputed heavyweight champion.

The clip was developed by BigTime Creative Shop in collaboration with the award-winning French collective Megaforce and Riff Raff Films.


Amorim earns 1st Premier League win, Chelsea climb to 3rd place

Amorim earns 1st Premier League win, Chelsea climb to 3rd place
Updated 01 December 2024
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Amorim earns 1st Premier League win, Chelsea climb to 3rd place

Amorim earns 1st Premier League win, Chelsea climb to 3rd place
  • This was the most encouraging result of Amorim’s brief time at United as they recovered from a slow start to dispatch lowly Everton

LONDON: Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim earned his first Premier League win with a 4-0 rout of Everton.

Chelsea climbed to third place with a 3-0 win against spluttering Aston Villa.

United were held to a 1-1 draw at Ipswich in his first Premier League game last Sunday, before the Portuguese boss earned his maiden win with United in a 3-2 success against Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford in the Europa League on Thursday.

The 39-year-old, who arrived from Sporting Lisbon to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag in November, has warned United would “suffer for a long period” before they can expect to challenge for the title.

This was the most encouraging result of Amorim’s brief time at United as they recovered from a slow start to dispatch lowly Everton.

United fans had gathered on the Old Trafford forecourt before kick-off to protest the clubs’ decision to increase ticket prices, displaying a banner with the slogan “Stop Exploiting Loyalty.”

If ninth-placed United are to justify those increases, they need a winning team and Amorim is taking steps in the right direction.

Marcus Rashford had scored the first goal of Amorim’s reign after just two minutes at Ipswich and he was on target again in the 34th minute against Everton.

Rashford’s drive from the edge of the area took a deflection off Jarrad Branthwaite before flashing into the net.

United struck again seven minutes later as Amorim’s decision to select Zirkzee to lead the attack instead of Rasmus Hojlund.

Branthwaite lost possession to Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes teed up Joshua Zirkzee to convert with ease.

The much-maligned Netherlands striker’s second goal since his close-season move from Bologna ended a 17-game drought dating back to August.

Rashford underlined United’s superiority just 20 seconds after the interval as he applied a cool finish to Diallo’s incisive pass for his seventh goal this season.

Zirkee struck again in the 64th minute with a composed strike from the influential Diallo’s assist after shambolic Everton defending.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to six games as Villa’s dismal winless streak reached eight matches.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca insisted this week that his young team are not title contenders in the first season of his rebuilding job.

But they look capable of at least securing Champions League qualification after a third successive win in the space of eight days moved them level on points with second-placed Arsenal.

The famous Champions League victory over Bayern Munich in October feels like a distant memory for 12th placed Villa, who have won only once in the Premier League since then.

Nicolas Jackson put Chelsea in front after just seven minutes with his eighth goal this season.

The Senegal striker met Marc Cucurella’s cross with a volley from eight yards that beat Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez via the near post.

Villa appealed in vain for a foul by Cucurella on Jaden Philogene in the build-up to the goal.

Enzo Fernandez added to Villa’s frustration in the 36th minute as the midfielder took a clever touch before firing home from 12 yards.

Cole Palmer grabbed his eighth goal this season with a superb finish from the edge of the area in the 83rd minute.

Seventh-placed Tottenham’s top four hopes were dented by a 1-1 draw against 10-man Fulham.

Brennan Johnson slotted Tottenham into the lead from Timo Werner’s 54th minute pass, but Tom Cairney curled Fulham’s equalizer into the far corner after 67 minutes.

Cairney was sent off with seven minutes left after his foul on Dejan Kulusevski was upgraded from referee Darren Bond’s initial yellow card to a red after VAR intervened.


Max Verstappen wins Qatar GP, F1 teams title race goes on after Lando Norris penalty

Max Verstappen wins Qatar GP, F1 teams title race goes on after Lando Norris penalty
Updated 01 December 2024
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Max Verstappen wins Qatar GP, F1 teams title race goes on after Lando Norris penalty

Max Verstappen wins Qatar GP, F1 teams title race goes on after Lando Norris penalty
  • That result meant McLaren, even with Oscar Piastri finishing third, were unable to clinch a first constructors title since 1998

DOHA: Max Verstappen avenged his overnight demotion from pole position by clinching his ninth win of the season and 63rd of his career with a dominant triumph for Red Bull in Sunday’s crash-hit and controversial Qatar Grand Prix.
In a race shaped by a litany of stewards’ decisions and penalties, including a harsh late 10-second ‘stop-go’ for Lando Norris of McLaren, the newly-crowned four-time world champion was flawless as he came home six seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
That result meant McLaren, even with Oscar Piastri finishing third, were unable to clinch a first constructors title since 1998 and have to try again in the final race in Abu Dhabi next weekend.
George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes, despite being handed a late time penalty, ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari, two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin and Zhou Guanyu of Sauber, who scored his and the team’s first points of the season.
Kevin Magnussen was ninth for Haas and Norris, after a ferocious finale following his penalty, was 10th for McLaren.
Verstappen’s success was not enough to keep alive Red Bull’s challenge for the teams’ title which left McLaren top with 640, 21 points clear of Ferrari with one race to go.
“I am very happy with that,” said Verstappen, who has recovered his form in the last three races. “It’s been a long time since we had victory in the dry and it’s great for the team to be so competitive again.”
Leclerc said he was happy with second and forecast a “very tight” finish in the championship next weekend. “But 21 points is still a big margin,” he added.
The Dutchman’s overnight loss of pole, for driving too slowly and causing Russell to take evasive action, had gifted the Mercedes’ driver his career fifth pole and second in succession.
Fired up by that stewards’ decision, Verstappen made an excellent start to power by Russell and lead into Turn One with Norris squeezing through to take second before the opening lap was red-flagged for a Safety Car.
A crash involving Nico Hulkenberg, who lost the rear of his Haas and spun into Ocon’s Alpine, the pair taking the innocent Franco Colapinto with them in his Williams, caused the pause. It was the luckless Williams team’s 16th crash of the season.
Racing resumed on lap five with the top three unchanged ahead of Leclerc and Piastri, who swiftly jumped back to fourth, a move that kept both McLarens ahead of the two Ferraris.
For McLaren, it was going to plan, a description not claimed by Hamilton. After a false start, he was eighth with a five-second penalty.
His Mercedes team-mate Russell also suffered misfortunes, pitting after 24 laps in a slow seven seconds — due to a recalcitrant right rear wheel — and dropping from third to rejoin 12th on hards.
Russell’s problems lifted Piastri to third, 8.7 behind Norris, the two McLarens sitting ahead of Leclerc and Sainz, in fourth and fifth, with Verstappen on top before an errant mirror, from Magnussen’s Haas car, fell on the main straight, bringing double waved yellows.
Valtteri Bottas ran over the mirror on the lap 34, sending debris across the circuit. Hamilton and Sainz collected punctures and pitted before a belated Safety Car was deployed as Piastri and then the rest came in.
Leclerc profited by moving up to third, ahead of Piastri, who stopped before the SC interval, while Hamilton fell to 16th and Russell, angry after taking another set of hards, was seventh. “Why have we put hards on?” he screamed.


Al-Ittihad await news on injured duo

Al-Ittihad await news on injured duo
Updated 01 December 2024
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Al-Ittihad await news on injured duo

Al-Ittihad await news on injured duo
  • Dutch forward Steven Bergwijn and Saudi midfielder Abdulelah Hawsawi came off against Al-Ettifaq on Saturday
  • Pair set to undergo tests on Sunday ahead of clash with Al-Nassr on Friday

Al-Ittihad players Steven Bergwijn and Abdulelah Hawsawi will undergo medical examinations on their respective injuries on Sunday.

The Jeddah-based club stated through its official account on social media platform X that Dutch forward Bergwijn and Saudi midfielder Hawsawi will undergo tests to ensure their fitness, without disclosing further details about their injuries.

Hawsawi sustained an injury in the 46th minute of the match against Al-Ettifaq on Saturday, during the 12th round of the Saudi Pro League.

It forced the team’s coach, Laurent Blanc, into a substitution, bringing on Abdulrahman Al-Aboud in his place.

Bergwijn also suffered a knock in the 85th minute, and was replaced by Ahmed Al-Ghamdi.

The Dutchman’s injury came 15 minutes after he scored his team’s final goal in the 4-0 victory over Al-Ettifaq.

Al-Ittihad, currently leading the league with 33 points, next face a challenging clash with Al-Nassr, in third with 25 points, next Friday at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.