Saudi Logistics Services partners with Jeddah GT Race 2024

Saudi Logistics Services partners with Jeddah GT Race 2024
Saudi Motorsport Co. and Saudi Logistics Services have signed a partnership agreement, making SAL the title partner of the inaugural 2024 Jeddah GT Race, it was announced on Thursday. (Supplied)
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Updated 10 October 2024
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Saudi Logistics Services partners with Jeddah GT Race 2024

Saudi Logistics Services partners with Jeddah GT Race 2024
  • SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 will take place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Nov. 29 and 30
  • SMC’s acting CEO, Mansour Almokbel said: ‘This partnership represents a significant step toward fulfilling our common goals’

JEDDAH: Saudi Motorsport Co. and Saudi Logistics Services have signed a partnership agreement, making SAL the title partner of the inaugural 2024 Jeddah GT Race, it was announced on Thursday.
According to the partnership, SAL will become the main partner for the race that will be renamed SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 scheduled to take place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Nov. 29 and 30.
The six-hour race will be the longest circuit motor race to be staged in Saudi Arabia.
The agreement reaffirms SAL’s commitment to social responsibility and its dedication to supporting the community and the national economy through various initiatives, programs, and collaborations with different entities, such as the SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024.
SMC’s acting CEO, Mansour Almokbel said: “This partnership represents a significant step toward fulfilling our common goals, contributing to achieving the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and improving the quality of life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Thunyan Al-Thunyan, president of logistics solutions at SAL, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Jeddah GT Race 2024 as the title sponsor, in which we collaborate to reflect SAL’s ongoing commitment toward supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, while also showcasing our dedication to excellence and innovation in logistics, by contributing to the success of the motorsports races and other international mega events happening in Saudi Arabia.”
The collaboration will contribute to the advancement of motorsports in Saudi Arabia and further strengthen SAL’s strategic partnership with SMC, which plays a pivotal role in the comprehensive development of motorsports in the region.
The SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 will feature two major global races the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS, and the exciting GT4 European Series Powered by RAFA Racing Club, which will also include the longest racing event in Saudi Arabia’s history.


Azam, Afridi back in Pakistan squad for Australia tour

Azam, Afridi back in Pakistan squad for Australia tour
Updated 47 sec ago
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Azam, Afridi back in Pakistan squad for Australia tour

Azam, Afridi back in Pakistan squad for Australia tour
  • Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi will be rested for limited-overs matches against Zimbabwe next month
  • Pakistan will play three ODI matches against Australia on Nov. 4, 8 and 10 at Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth

LAHORE: Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi were named on Sunday in Pakistan’s squads for the November limited-overs series in Australia after being dropped from the last two Tests against England.
However, selectors said the duo will be rested for the limited-overs matches in the Zimbabwe tour later next month.
A new captain for Pakistan’s white-ball format will also be announced later on Sunday to replace Azam, who stepped back this month after a second turn in the post.
Pakistan open the Australia tour with three one-day internationals in Melbourne (November 4), Adelaide (November 8) and Perth (November 10).
That will be followed by three Twenty20 internationals in Brisbane (November 14), Sydney (November 16) and Hobart (November 18).
Allrounders Aamer Jamal and Arafat Minhas, spinner Faisal Akram, wicketkeeper batsman Haseebullah and batsmen Irfan Khan and Saim Ayub have been selected for the first time in ODIs.
Likewise, allrounders Jahandad Khan and Salman Agha have been selected for the first time in T20Is.
Azam, appointed white-ball captain for the first time in 2019, stepped down after Pakistan’s disastrous first-round exit from the ODI World Cup in India last year.
However, he was re-appointed for a second time in March ahead of the T20I World Cup in the United States and West Indies — where Pakistan exited in the first round again, adding pressure on him to resign.
Squads for Australia:
ODI SQUAD: Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi
T20I SQUAD: Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan
Squads for Zimbabwe:
ODI: Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir
T20I: Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan


Renard return should bring joy to Saudi national team and fans

Renard return should bring joy to Saudi national team and fans
Updated 33 min 10 sec ago
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Renard return should bring joy to Saudi national team and fans

Renard return should bring joy to Saudi national team and fans
  • The Frenchman replaces Roberto Mancini and hopes to recreate the magic that saw the Green Falcons beat Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

LONDON: “I’m back.” And with those words on Saturday night, one of the biggest — though least surprising — homecomings in Asian football was complete.

Herve Renard is the new (and old) Saudia Arabian coach. It is a little over 18 months since the Frenchman left Riyadh to become head coach of the women’s national team in his homeland, and he has some work to do on his return.

Saudi football fans hope he brings him the joy that was felt during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when their nation beat eventual champions Argentina 2-1.

“I did not intend to leave but when your country knocks on your door, you have to respond,” Renard said in a video released by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation. “My connection with Saudi, the fans, the players and all the memories — I can never forget.”

Such words will be well-received by the fans, coming just two days after Roberto Mancini was dismissed following 14 months in the job. It was clear the federation already had their man in place and Renard’s return feels like a warm, comfortable embrace.

 

 

Qualification for the 2026 World Cup was not going well. Five points from the first four games, three of which were in Jeddah, was a disappointing start in Group C for the Saudi team. With only the top two sure of a place in North America, the Green Falcons were already resigned — or Mancini was, at least — to a battle.

The goalless home draw with Bahrain on Oct. 15 was the final straw. Bahrain are level with Saudi Arabia on five points, as are the Kingdom’s next opponents, Australia. Bosses wanted to make the change before the long journey to Melbourne.

That crucial match comes almost three years to the day since Renard took the team to Sydney for a 2022 World Cup qualifier. It was the fourth game of the third round. Saudi Arabia had won their first three and produced a fighting performance to draw 0-0, showing the spirit that would take them all the way to Qatar. In the end the team finished top of a tough group, above Japan and a massive eight points clear of Australia in third.

It is a stark contrast to the current situation. The national team are low on confidence, having scored just three goals in five games — two came from Hassan Kadesh headers in China, with midfielder Musab Al-Juwayr getting the other.

But it is not just about results on the pitch; the atmosphere around the national team has soured of late. This stems from the results, of course, but the sight of Mancini gesturing and seemingly shouting at fans at the end of the Bahrain game was also a cause for concern. The Italian was also visibly angry with Salem Al-Dawsari for missing his second penalty in four qualifiers.

Mancini may have won some big trophies as a coach, but repeated complaints about the lack of playing time given to his players did not go down well.

In contrast, Renard plays the game well off the pitch and seems to enjoy his job. There is none of Mancini’s spikiness. This is bound to improve the atmosphere around the team instantly.

They say you should never go back, but there was already an understanding in Riyadh when Reynard left for France. There were no acrimonious circumstances surrounding his departure.

After being in charge for almost four years, the 56-year-old knew his players well. And there will always be that unforgettable win against Argentina in 2022. Renard’s half-time team-talk has gone down in World Cup history, not just in Saudi Arabia but everywhere. His leadership and motivational qualities are on show for all to see.

Still, it is easily forgotten that there were a few rumblings before Renard left. Five of his last six games ended in defeat, albeit against the kind of international opposition the Kingdom does not face often.

Nobody cares about that now, however; now, it is about qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Renard has a contract until 2025 with an option to extend to 2027, the duration of his last contract. This would also include the Asian Cup, which is set to take place on home soil.

As he left last year, he said: “I think I did the maximum with the team. I can’t reach another level so I prefer to be honest with everybody.”

There is no need for that other level right now. All everyone wants is a return to the old one. That the federation has turned to a familiar, friendly face is understandable. It will be a happier team that flies to Australia next month — for a game they can’t afford to lose.


Ilia Topuria makes good on his promise, becomes first man to stop Max Holloway at UFC 308

Ilia Topuria makes good on his promise, becomes first man to stop Max Holloway at UFC 308
Updated 27 October 2024
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Ilia Topuria makes good on his promise, becomes first man to stop Max Holloway at UFC 308

Ilia Topuria makes good on his promise, becomes first man to stop Max Holloway at UFC 308
  • Using a huge right hand to daze Holloway, Topuria (16-0) followed up moments later with a powerful left hook that dropped the 32-year-old
  • It was Topuria’s first title defense since capturing the belt with a second-round technical knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298

ABU DHABI: Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria vowed to become the first man to knock out Max Holloway.
He made good on his promise at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Using a huge right hand to daze Holloway, Topuria (16-0) followed up moments later with a powerful left hook that dropped the 32-year-old. Topuria pounced on Holloway immediately for a ground-and-pound finish before referee Mark Goddard stopped the bout at the 1:34 mark of the third round.
“To beat a legend like Max Holloway, I don’t know what to say,” Topuria said. “He’s been a great example for the generation. ... I hope I’m gonna be a small example he has been for me for the new generation.”
Topuria said he knew immediately with his initial power punch that the victory was within his grasp.
“I catch him with ... the right hand, I felt it,” Topuria said. “I saw it in his face. You don’t see that often in Max Holloway.”
Topuria opened the match with Holloway’s traditional gesture of pointing to the center of the ring, indicating he wanted to throw down with immediacy. Holloway, instead, pointed to where he was standing.
The two mixed it up in the first round, Topuria doing early damage with leg kicks to Holloway’s lead leg. Both fighters’ boxing skills were on display in the second round, with Holloway landing several big shots. But it was Topuria’s leg kicks that seemingly continued to weaken Holloway.
Then came his two big punches in the third.
“He just landed a shot and I guess it hurt much more than I thought it did,” said Holloway, who fell to 26-8. “I felt great until he did it. No excuses. I felt great, I had a great camp, no injuries. I went out there, did my thing. He was just a better man tonight.”
It was Topuria’s first title defense since capturing the belt with a second-round technical knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 on Feb. 17.
Topuria’s back-to-back victories over Holloway and Volkanovski make a case for Fighter of the Year.
Volkanovski was in attendance Saturday, and Topuria said he would honor him with a rematch.
“You deserve that, you’re the man,” Topuria told Volkanovski, who entered the octagon after the match.
In the co-main event, No. 13 Khamzat Chimaev (14-0) stopped No. 3 Robert Whitaker (27-8) with a first-round submission just 3:34 into the fight, after taking him down and administering a wicked face crank.
“I’m going for the belt!” Chimaev exclaimed after his dominating win.
“I love you brother, you’re a legend,” the Russian told Whitaker during his post-fight interview.
Additionally from the main card:
Top-ranked light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev defeated No. 5 Aleksandar Rakic by unanimous decision after three rounds.
In an action-packed three-round featherweight match, Lerone Murphy beat Dan Ige by unanimous decision.
Shara Magomedov (15-0-0) defeated Armen Petrosyan (9-4-0) by TKO at the 4:52 mark of the second round of their middleweight bout.


Olympic champion Zheng wins in Tokyo for third title of year

Olympic champion Zheng wins in Tokyo for third title of year
Updated 27 October 2024
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Olympic champion Zheng wins in Tokyo for third title of year

Olympic champion Zheng wins in Tokyo for third title of year
  • The win extended world No. 7 Zheng’s impressive run of form this year
  • She also won in Palermo and finished runner-up in Wuhan and at the Australian Open

TOKYO: Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen won the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Sunday for her third title of the year, beating Sofia Kenin 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 in the final.

China’s Zheng, the tournament’s top seed, kept her cool to edge a tight first set despite two rain delays, before pressing home her advantage to take the second comfortably.

The win extended world No. 7 Zheng’s impressive run of form this year after she became the first Chinese player to win an Olympic singles tennis gold when she triumphed in Paris.

She also won in Palermo and finished runner-up in Wuhan and at the Australian Open.

Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, was in doubt after retiring from her doubles semifinal on Saturday with a leg injury.

The American played the final with heavy strapping on her upper leg but showed no outward signs of discomfort.

It was world No. 155 Kenin’s first final of 2024.

She was looking to end a title drought that stretches back more than four years.

Neither player was allowed to get into a rhythm early in the match as rain twice brought play to a halt in Tokyo.

The roof was eventually closed and Zheng edged ahead with the slimmest of margins to take the first set in a tiebreak.

Backed by a large contingent of Chinese fans, the 22-year-old took control of the second set early.

She hit a total of 16 aces in the match and closed it out when Kenin hit a return long.


Clippers overcome Jokic’s 41 points to beat Nuggets 109-104

Clippers overcome Jokic’s 41 points to beat Nuggets 109-104
Updated 27 October 2024
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Clippers overcome Jokic’s 41 points to beat Nuggets 109-104

Clippers overcome Jokic’s 41 points to beat Nuggets 109-104
  • LeBron James had a triple-double with 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists
  • Jayson Tatum scored six of his 37 points in the final 65 seconds and Boston held on for a victory over Detroit

DENVER: James Harden had 23 points and 16 assists, Norman Powell scored 26 of his 37 points in the second half and the Los Angeles Clippers overcame Nikola Jokic’s 41 points to beat the Denver Nuggets 109-104 on Saturday.

Jokic made a career-high seven 3-pointers but missed a free throw with 20 seconds left that would have tied the game. Harden made four from the line in the final 30.5 seconds.

The Clippers trailed 103-100 when Powell hit a 3-pointer. Jamal Murray, who had 22 points, missed a layup and Harden then made two free throws.

After Jokic split a pair from the line, Harden made two more foul shots to make it 107-104 and Jokic missed an off-balance 3-pointer.

CELTICS 124 PISTONS 118

In Detroit, Jayson Tatum scored six of his 37 points in the final 65 seconds and Boston held on for a victory over Detroit.

The Celtics led by as many as 23 points in the first half, but trailed for much of the third quarter. Jrue Holiday tied the game with back-to-back 3-pointers, and Tatum put the Celtics up 116-114 by hitting a pair of free throws with 1:05 left.

The Pistons missed two shots on the ensuing possession and Tatum’s jumper made it 118-114 with 29 seconds left.

Malik Beasley’s 3-pointer pulled Detroit within one, but Derrick White hit two free throws and Boston clinched the game from the line.

Jaylen Brown had 24 points and 10 rebounds for Boston. Jaden Ivey had 26 points for Detroit while Cade Cunningham finished with 21 points and 10 assists.

CAVALIERS 135 WIZARDS 116

In Washington, Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points, Jarrett Allen added 23 while going 10 for 10 from the floor and Cleveland eased to a victory over Washington.

Darius Garland also had 23 points, and Evan Mobley scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as Cleveland remained perfect three games into their new season.

The Cavaliers shot 54 percent(47 of 87) from the floor to complete their ninth consecutive victory over Washington. A night earlier, they defeated Detroit for a 10th straight time.

Bilal Coulibaly scored a career-high 23 points for Washington, who have lost their first two games by a combined 39 points at home after posting a franchise-worst 15-67 record last season.

HEAT 114 HORNETS 106

In Charlotte, N. C., Jimmy Butler scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, Tyler Herro added five 3-pointers and 22 points and Miami spoiled Charlottes’ home opener with a victory.

Terry Rozier had 19 points and Bam Adebayo finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds for Miami (1-1). Butler added eight assists and eight rebounds.

LaMelo Ball had 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Hornets on an emotional night when they honored their late longtime public address announcer Pat Doughty, and showed livestream feeds on the arena scoreboard of a star-studded benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Helene taking place less than a mile away at Bank of America Stadium. One of the performers at the concert was musician Eric Church, a Hornets minority owner.

The Hornets (1-2) looked out of sync with 20 turnovers, and twice were whistled for 5-second calls after failing to get the ball in on side inbound plays.

THUNDER 114 BULLS 95

In Chicago, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points, Chet Holmgren added 21 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, and Oklahoma City pounded Chicago in the Bulls’ home opener.

Jalen Williams added 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

Zach LaVine had 22 points and nine rebounds for Chicago. Nikola Vucevic added 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Josh Giddey finished with 14 points and seven rebounds in his first game against the Thunder since an offseason trade to Chicago for Alex Caruso. Oklahoma City granted his request to be dealt after his role in the playoffs was reduced.

Caruso, a popular player during his three seasons with the Bulls, got a standing ovation and waved to the crowd during an early timeout. He checked into the game late in the first quarter and finished with three points in 22 minutes.

GRIZZLIES 124 MAGIC 111

IN Memphis, Tennessee, Santi Aldama scored 22 points, reserve center Jay Huff added a career-high 18 and Memphis built a 26-point halftime team in a victory over Orlando in their home opener.

Ja Morant added 16 points and 10 assists in his first regular-season home appearance since Jan. 3. Aldama was 9 of 12 from the field, while Huff made seven of his nine shots.

Franz Wagner scored 23 points for the Magic and Jalen Suggs added 21, both players grabbing seven rebounds apiece. Paolo Banchero finished with 16 points, but was 4 of 12 from the field, part of the Magic shooting 43 percent for the game.

Memphis held a comfortable lead through much of the game despite withstanding 21 straight points by Orlando in the third quarter.

TIMBERWOLVES 112 RAPTORS 101

In Minneapolis, Julius Randle had 24 points nine rebounds and five assists and Minnesota beat Toronto.

Anthony Edwards also scored 24 for Minnesota, while Rudy Gobert added 15 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks.

Toronto’s Gradey Dick led all scorers with 25 points, while Scottie Barnes had 20 points and Ochai Agbaji added 19 for the Raptors.

SPURS 109 ROCKETS 106

In San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama scored 29 points, Jeremy Sochan added 17 points and 12 rebounds, and San Antonio held on to beat Houston in their home opener.

Wembanyama added seven rebounds and three blocks while shooting 10 for 17 from the field.

Chris Paul added three points and nine assists, including a drive and feed to Sochan for an open layup that put San Antonio up 104-99 with 1:35 remaining.

After trailing by 22 points in the first half, Houston was within one possession for much of the final minutes. The Rockets went on a 21-8 run in the opening six minutes of the final quarter, turning an 18-point deficit into a 95-90 lead for San Antonio.

Jalen Green had 27 points for Houston. Fred VanVleet added 18 and Dillon Brooks had 16.

SUNS 114 MAVERICKS 102

In Phoenix, Kevin Durant scored 31 points, Jusuf Nurkic added 18 points and 14 rebounds and Phoenix beat Dallas.

The Suns never trailed after the first quarter, though the Mavericks kept the deficit in the single digits for much of the night. Luka Doncic scored 40 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Kyrie Irving added 22 points.

The Suns led 91-80 heading into the fourth quarter and extended the lead to 105-90 six minutes later. Devin Booker added 21 points while rookie Ryan Dunn scored 13 in his first career start. Tyus Jones added seven assists.

The Suns led by as many as 13 in the first half but settled for a 63-55 lead at the break.

LAKERS 131 KINGS 127

In Los Angeles, LeBron James had a triple-double with 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, and Anthony Davis added 31 points and nine rebounds to lead Los Angeles to a victory over Sacramento.

The Lakers are undefeated at 3-0 under new coach JJ Redick, and Davis has scored at least 31 points in each game this season.

Los Angeles were up by as many as 15 points in the first half but the Kings cut the lead to 64-60 by halftime and had built a 7-point lead in the third quarter. James helped the Lakers come roaring back with 16 points in the fourth quarter.

Davis had a big 3-pointer with 37 seconds left in the game to give the Lakers a 128-123 lead after the Kings had cut it to two.

Domantas Sabonis also had a triple-double in the loss. He scored 29 points on 10 of 14 shots and added 12 rebounds and 10 assists.