Real Madrid and AC Milan pay tribute to victims of deadly Valencia floods in Champions League match

Real Madrid and AC Milan pay tribute to victims of deadly Valencia floods in Champions League match
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Updated 06 November 2024
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Real Madrid and AC Milan pay tribute to victims of deadly Valencia floods in Champions League match

Real Madrid and AC Milan pay tribute to victims of deadly Valencia floods in Champions League match
  • Players from both teams entered the field wearing shirts with the words “We are all Valencia,” written in Spanish on Madrid’s kits and in Italian on AC Milan’s
  • Madrid’s organized fan group also displayed a “We are all Valencia” banner behind one of the goals at the Bernabeu
  • More than 200 people were killed when flash floods caused by heavy downpours in eastern Spain devastated the Valencia region last week

MADRID: Real Madrid and AC Milan honored the victims of the deadly floods in Valencia before their Champions League match on Tuesday.

Players from both teams entered the field wearing shirts with the words “We are all Valencia,” written in Spanish on Madrid’s kits and in Italian on AC Milan’s.

A huge banner of the Valencia region was displayed in the stands at midfield, covering several sitting sections at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium while a moment of silence was observed before kickoff.

Madrid’s organized fan group also displayed a “We are all Valencia” banner behind one of the goals at the Bernabeu.

Spain international Alvaro Morata, who scored one of the goals for Milan in the team’s 3-1 win against Madrid, said soccer has become secondary after the tragedy.

“What’s happening in Valencia is the most important thing,” he said. “Hopefully the situation will improve, because we can’t enjoy a soccer match with a situation like that happening in our country.”

More than 200 people were killed when flash floods caused by heavy downpours in eastern Spain devastated the Valencia region last week, destroying almost everything in their path and leaving people trapped in vehicles, homes and businesses.

Real Madrid had donated 1 million euros to help the victims affected by the unprecedented floods.

Madrid hadn’t played a match since its 4-0 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish league “clasico” on Oct. 26. Their weekend game at Valencia in the league was postponed because of the floods.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said in his news conference on Monday that he didn’t “feel like talking about soccer” with everything that was happening in Valencia.

Several other sporting events across Spain were affected by the deadly floods.

Before the match, Madrid fans at the Bernabeu loudly jeered when UEFA’s Champions League anthem was played. That came after the club decided not to attend the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony last week whentheir forward Vinicius Junior did not win the prestigious prize.


Power Slap returns to Abu Dhabi Showdown Week in October

Power Slap returns to Abu Dhabi Showdown Week in October
Updated 22 July 2025
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Power Slap returns to Abu Dhabi Showdown Week in October

Power Slap returns to Abu Dhabi Showdown Week in October
  • Event will take place in the lead-up to UFC 321 at Etihad Arena
  • Dana White: Power Slap has had 13 straight sold-out events, and is now heading back to Abu Dhabi, one of the premier fight capitals in the world

ABU DHABI: Power Slap, the world slap fighting promotion, is set to return to the UAE on Friday, Oct. 24 at the Space 42 Arena as part of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, headlined by UFC 321.

Last year, Power Slap hosted its first international event, Power Slap 9: Dumpling vs Da Crazy Hawaiian, in the UAE capital. A sold-out crowd witnessed a showdown between two of the world’s best strikers, as former Power Slap super heavyweight champion, Da Crazy Hawaiian, defended his title against No. 1 ranked super heavyweight, Vasilii “Dumpling” Kamotskii, in a match that ended in a dramatic draw.

Power Slap 9 generated more than 700 million total views across social media platforms through promotional and event coverage content and drew global influencers with 1 billion-plus followers. This marked a big step in the sport’s international growth and highlighted the region’s enthusiasm for combat sports.

“Power Slap has had 13 straight sold-out events, and is now heading back to Abu Dhabi, one of the premier fight capitals in the world,” said Power Slap founder Dana White. “In just two years, Power Slap has exploded with nearly 30 million followers and close to 20 billion video views across our platforms. The Middle East is becoming a hotbed for Power Slap, and I’m excited to bring it back.”


Pakistan keep Bangladesh down to 133 in second T20I

Pakistan keep Bangladesh down to 133 in second T20I
Updated 22 July 2025
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Pakistan keep Bangladesh down to 133 in second T20I

Pakistan keep Bangladesh down to 133 in second T20I
  • Batter Jaker Ali smashes five sixes to hit a 48-ball 55 for his third T20I fifty
  • Bangladesh lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first match

DHAKA: Pacers Salman Mirza and debutant Ahmed Daniyal grabbed two wickets apiece to restrict Bangladesh to 133 all out in the second Twenty20 international in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Mirza finished with 2-17 and Daniyal took 2-23 after Pakistan won the toss and sent Bangladesh into bat on another slow-paced pitch.

Jaker Ali hit a fiery 48-ball 55 for his third T20I fifty, smashing five sixes and a boundary before holing out off the final delivery of the 20th over.

Fast bowler Abbas Afridi also grabbed 2-37.

Bangladesh lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first match — also at the same venue — by seven wickets.

Bangladesh had lost four wickets by sixth over for 28 before Jaker and Mahedi Hasan revived the innings with a 53-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Mahedi scored a 25-ball 33 with two sixes and as many boundaries.


Pakistan wins toss and puts Bangladesh into bat in second T20

Pakistan wins toss and puts Bangladesh into bat in second T20
Updated 22 July 2025
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Pakistan wins toss and puts Bangladesh into bat in second T20

Pakistan wins toss and puts Bangladesh into bat in second T20
  • Pakistan handed Ahmed Daniyal his international debut
  • The third and final match in the series is in Mirpur on Thursday

DHAKA: Pakistan cricket captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and put Bangladesh into bat in the second T20 on Tuesday.

Pakistan handed Ahmed Daniyal his international debut. He replaces leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed in the team’s only change after it lost the first match by seven wickets.

Bangladesh made two changes with Naim Sheikh replacing opener Tanzid Hasan and paceman Shoriful Islam coming in for Taskin Ahmed.

The third and final match in the series is in Mirpur on Thursday.

Line-ups:

Bangladesh: Parvez Hossain Emon, Naim Sheikh, Litton Das (captain), Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal.


Qatar bids to host 2036 Olympic Games

Qatar bids to host 2036 Olympic Games
Updated 22 July 2025
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Qatar bids to host 2036 Olympic Games

Qatar bids to host 2036 Olympic Games
  • One of the smallest and wealthiest states in the Gulf, Qatar had already hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup
  • Should it be chosen, Qatar would become the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to host the Olympic Games

DOHA: Doha is bidding to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, authorities said on Tuesday, as the wealthy Gulf state sets its sights on yet another major sport event to diversify its energy-reliant economy.

One of the smallest and wealthiest states in the Gulf, Qatar had already hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Should it be chosen, Qatar would become the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to host the Olympic Games, said Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.

“The official bid submitted by the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games represents a new milestone in Qatar’s journey,” he said in a statement shared on the official Qatar News Agency.

“The bid builds on Qatar’s proven track record of successfully hosting major international sporting events, most notably the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” Sheikh Mohammed added.

Amnesty International and other rights groups claimed thousands of migrant workers died in the lead-up to the 2022 tournament, though Doha has said only 37 workers on World Cup projects perished – and only three in work-related accidents.

President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani said Doha had “made sport a central pillar of our national strategy.”

“We currently have 95 percent of the required sports infrastructure in place to host the Games, and we have a comprehensive national plan to ensure 100 percent readiness of all facilities,” he said.

Countries are no longer required to make their Olympic bids public.

The Games are meant to rotate continents every season. With the 2024, 2028, and 2032 editions set for Europe, North America, and Oceania, there are high chances the 2036 Olympic Games will be held in Asia – or in Africa, which would be a first.

Choosing the next host of the games will be the first major project for the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) new president Kirsty Coventry, who last month became the first woman to lead the body.


6th edition of IMMAF Youth World Championships kicks off in Al-Ain

6th edition of IMMAF Youth World Championships kicks off in Al-Ain
The sixth edition of the IMMAF Youth World Championships kicked off on Monday in Al-Ain
Updated 22 July 2025
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6th edition of IMMAF Youth World Championships kicks off in Al-Ain

6th edition of IMMAF Youth World Championships kicks off in Al-Ain
  • Over 1,000 male and female athletes representing 60 countries will compete at the tournament, which runs until July 27

AL-AIN: The sixth edition of the IMMAF Youth World Championships on Monday got underway at ADNEC Centre Al-Ain and is set to feature a record participation of more than 1,000 male and female athletes representing 60 countries.

Organized by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation and hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, the championship runs until July 27. It is the first time that it has been hosted in Al-Ain.

For the first time since the championship’s inception, competitions in the Youth D category, for athletes aged 10 to 11, were held, with the UAE national team making an impressive start to the tournament.

Kerrith Brown, president of IMMAF, expressed pride in the ongoing partnership with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation. He noted that this edition is the largest since the championship began in 2019 and serves as an ideal platform for cultural exchange and for promoting positive values among youth worldwide.

He highlighted that the UAE has become a leading model for hosting international sporting events, supported by its ambitious vision, world-class infrastructure and commitment to empowering youth in the field of sports.

Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al-Dhaheri, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation and chairman of the MMA Committee, said: “Hosting the championship in the Al-Ain Region for the first time reflects the international sporting community’s confidence in the UAE’s organizational capabilities. It also highlights the country’s efforts in enhancing its sports infrastructure and expanding its hosting map to cover all emirates.

“The inclusion of the Youth D category this year introduces a new dimension to the competition and aligns with a forward-thinking vision to support and nurture talent from a young age. This contributes to developing future champions, instilling a positive competitive spirit early on, and preparing a generation with the skills and mindset needed to represent the UAE on the global stage.”

Kyle Wilson, coach of the US national team, commented: “We are here with around 30 athletes. This isn’t our first time in the UAE, as we’ve competed before in a championship held in Dubai. The level of organization at this event is exceptional. Everything runs smoothly and meets the highest standards, allowing athletes and coaches to focus fully on the matches. We’ve trained hard in the lead-up and had a good performance today. We’re looking forward to tomorrow’s bouts.”