Ithra hosts World Cup trophy, legendary footballers
Arab News sports reporter Khaled Alarafah anchored talks on the importance of collaboration, personal responsibility, and keeping both eyes on the prize at all times
Alarafah spoke to former Saudi star Al-Jaber in Arabic; Nazli Berberoglu, the general manager of the 2022 World Cup at Coca-Cola, in English; and Villa, Spain’s former striker, in Spanish
Updated 14 November 2022
Jasmine Bager
DHAHRAN: Visitors to Ithra’s Tanween finale were served a footballing feast as former players Sami Al-Jaber and David Villa were special guests as the FIFA World Cup trophy reached its final stop prior to the showpiece in Qatar.
Arab News sports reporter Khaled Alarafah anchored talks on the importance of collaboration, personal responsibility, and keeping both eyes on the prize at all times.
Alarafah spoke to former Saudi Arabia star Al-Jaber in Arabic; Nazli Berberoglu, the general manager of the 2022 World Cup at Coca-Cola, in English; and Villa, Spain’s former striker, in Spanish.
President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Yasser Al-Misehal spoke first, highlighting the importance of the sport and its significance.
Al-Jaber said: “I’m happy and proud to be here. The World Cup is important for any player and if he does not recognize it as a big opportunity then he has a limited way of thinking.”
The session featured many stories about football victories and failures, and how the popular sport has inspired generations. The talks were recorded and will be available online at a later date.
Cheers then greeted proceedings as Al-Jaber and Villa threw signed footballs into the crowd.
The World Cup then made its final appearance before the competition as the talks came to their conclusion. The iconic trophy is now set for Qatar where Saudi Arabia’s team is competing at the showpiece, with their first match against Argentina on Nov. 22.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola was organized in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
It touched down in Jeddah on Nov. 11 and visited Riyadh before arriving at Dhahran.
A statement said: “The Coca-Cola Company has had a long-standing relationship with FIFA since 1976 and has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup since 1978.
“Coca-Cola has advertised at every FIFA World Cup stadium since 1950 and is a long-time supporter of football at all levels.
“This is the fifth time that Coca-Cola and FIFA have come together to bring the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola to the world.”
The iconic Ithra building was lit in Coca-Cola red for the occasion, and the drink was offered to guests in glass flutes as a Saudi band serenaded the crowd at the concluding event of Tanween.
Egyptian makes bold racket switch to boost her career
Updated 29 June 2025
Reem Abulleil
LONDON: Switching rackets can be one of the scariest things a tennis player can do, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.
Egyptian player Mayar Sherif is banking on the latter as she took the bold decision to change her equipment from Wilson to Head in an effort to take another step forward in her tennis career.
At No. 86 in the world, Sherif is the second-highest-ranked Arab in professional tennis right now and is one of just two players from the MENA region competing in singles at Wimbledon this fortnight – alongside Tunisian Ons Jabeur.
Two months ago, Sherif was encouraged by her coach, Justo Gonzalez, to test out a new racket that would help her generate more power with less effort.
The racket she’d been using for the past four years was unforgiving – “physically exhausting” is how Sherif put it – and for a clay-court specialist like her, who frequently plays lengthy, gruelling matches on the red dirt, a change felt like the smart way to go. At 29, Sherif also felt that fiddling with her equipment could help extend her career.
So before the tournament in Parma in May, Sherif decided to give a new racket a try. There was one hitch though: she only had one racket to use for her first round because there was no time to get more from the manufacturer.
“I had one racket, and I knew that the racket lasts two hours, and then I’d break the strings. So I went to my first match knowing that if I get into a third set, I probably would have to switch back to my old racket. So this is the mentality I had with my first match,” Sherif told Arab News on Sunday ahead of her Wimbledon opener against Mirra Andreeva on Tuesday.
“I was getting panic attacks in the first set. I couldn't control my heart rate. I couldn't control everything. I've never felt that anxious on a tennis court. And the first set was going 5-all, 6-5, and I was so scared to lose one set, you know? So I won that match, and I won the second, and the other rackets came, and finally I won the tournament.”
Sherif will be one of just two players from the MENA region competing in singles at Wimbledon this fortnight – alongside Tunisian Ons Jabeur. (Courtesy: Wimbledon/AELTC)
After triumphing in Parma, Sherif took some weight off of the new racket, looking to perfect it, and despite briefly losing faith in it, she ended up winning another tournament with it in Biarritz.
Sherif’s game is naturally-suited to clay, but the Egyptian is hoping she can make the necessary adjustments for the grass at Wimbledon, where she is contesting the main draw for a third consecutive season.
She explained that changing her racket is the first step in changing her identity as a player. All 12 of her titles won at the 100, 125 or 250 level, have come on clay.
The goal is to be able to tailor her game to other surfaces, like hard courts and grass.
“That's the first step, to try to play not only clay-court tennis, to try to hit harder, to try so that the ball doesn't pick up that much spin all the time, so that I get some easy power, so that I don't have to generate everything myself. Because my other racket was a bit physically exhausting,” she explained.
“Also serving. Right now, I'm serving so much better than with my other racket. That's something we worked on as well. I'm still at a moment where the racket is not 100 percent a part of me.
“But I'm getting there, and I'm having better feelings.”
Other adjustments she’s been making include working on her slice returns and incorporating more drop shots to her game.
“Changing with a slice. I usually don't change with backhand slice. But hopefully here, I can get some slices in general,” she added.
“Getting fitter and working on my movement, this is something I've worked on in the last couple of months. And I feel much better on court, lighter. Because here (at Wimbledon), if you're not light, if you're not on your feet, you run one time, and you're not going to get back on court. You're not going to get the next ball.”
Sherif’s experience is limited on grass, the former world No. 31 has played a total of just seven tour-level matches on the surface and has won just two of those encounters. (Courtesty: Wimbledon/AELTC)
Sherif’s experience is limited on grass. The former world No. 31 has played a total of just seven tour-level matches on the surface – through main draws and qualifying – and has won just two of those encounters.
She’s been enjoying her time in south-west London though, where she is renting a house with her team that is a short walking distance from the All England Club.
One of her sisters, her mother, and her two aunts, are all in town to see Sherif play, and the whole family – a tennis-addicted family – has been taking in the immaculate surroundings of SW19.
“Everything here is very special, very beautiful. To play on grass is always something special, it's different,” said Sherif.
“So I’m just very happy to be here another time. To be in the top 100 is always rewarding, to play the Grand Slams. Hopefully here I can make a good result and work on my things. It's a tough opening round, but hopefully I can go through it.”
Sherif’s opponent, Andreeva, is ranked No.7 in the world, and is having a phenomenal season so far, that includes WTA 1000 title runs in Dubai and Indian Wells.
The 18-year-old Russian is also playing her third-ever Wimbledon and is 7-5 overall on grass at the pro level. Andreeva reached the fourth round, as a qualifier, on her tournament debut in 2023.
“It's obviously challenging, because she's been doing really good results. She's been playing really well. She's won a couple of big tournaments,” said Sherif of her first-round opponent.
“But to be honest, I'm looking to play now bigger tournaments, play at the higher level. I want to get myself to play at the edge of the high level. So, I'm looking forward to this match and to learn and keep learning week by week.”
PSG rout Messi’s Inter Miami to reach Club World Cup quarters
PSG will face Bayern Munich or Flamengo in the quarter-finals in Atlanta on Saturday
Updated 29 June 2025
AFP
ATLANTA: Paris Saint-Germain steamrollered Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami 4-0 to reach the Club World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.
Miami hoped the Argentine superstar’s magic could help them produce an unlikely result against his former side, but the Major League Soccer side were dismantled in Atlanta by Luis Enrique’s rampant European champions.
Ageing great Messi and his former Barcelona team-mates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba had done well to reach the last 16 but the gulf in quality between the teams was laid bare over the 90 minutes.
Joao Neves netted twice for PSG, who benefitted from a Tomas Aviles own goal, while Achraf Hakimi was also on target.
After Neves opened the scoring early on Miami resisted until PSG hit three goals in 10 minutes toward the end of the first half.
Messi was the main draw, as fans chanted his name and most of the 66,000 crowd were clad in Miami’s hot pink interspersed with Argentina shirts.
PSG dominated from the start, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia floating into the box and teeing up Bradley Barcola, but Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari thwarted him with an outstretched leg.
However shortly afterwards over-run Miami right-back Marcelo Weigandt fouled Desire Doue and it led to PSG’s opener.
Vitinha whipped a free-kick to the back post where Portuguese midfielder Neves ran in completely unmarked, stooping to nod past Ustari after six minutes.
PSG’s Fabian Ruiz had a goal disallowed for offside before Miami defender Noah Allen limped off injured in a further blow for Javier Mascherano’s side.
With the Ligue 1 champions pressing high and keeping possession Miami found it hard to get Messi involved.
The 38-year-old Argentine superstar played a superbly weighted pass down the right flank for Tadeo Allende but a rare Miami break came to nothing.
Messi’s intermittent interventions were not enough to hold back the Parisian tide.
PSG doubled their lead in the 39th minute when veteran holding midfielder Busquets got his footwork wrong in front of his own box.
Spanish compatriot Ruiz rapidly relieved him of the ball and combined with Barcola to set up Neves to tap home his second.
PSG grabbed their third when Aviles deflected Doue’s cross into his own net, and Hakimi netted the fourth before half-time to put PSG out of sight.
The Morocco international’s first effort was deflected onto the crossbar but he stayed alert at the air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium to fire home the rebound.
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi lost his cool with a swipe aimed at Vitinha as the Argentine raged against the midfielder, Miami’s impotence and PSG’s swagger.
Messi produced a brilliant pass for Suarez early in the second half, chipping a ball over the PSG defense, but the Uruguayan could not finish to offer Miami a lifeline.
Despite the impossibility of a comeback — there was to be no comeback like the one Luis Enrique’s Barcelona managed in 2017 against PSG from four goals down in which Messi and Suarez scored — the Argentine was determined to bow out with a bang.
Messi drew a first save from PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma after the hour mark with a low effort.
Luis Enrique sent on winger Ousmane Dembele for his first appearance at the tournament after a hamstring injury, but the Frenchman was rusty and imprecise.
When Suarez was fouled by Lucas Beraldo on the edge of the box Messi had the chance to repeat his free-kick winner against Porto in the group stage, but his effort hit the wall.
It was not to be for Messi or Miami, but their second-half performance was respectable and the defeat was by a lesser margin than the French side’s 5-0 Champions League final thrashing of Inter Milan.
PSG will face Bayern Munich or Flamengo in the quarter-finals in Atlanta on Saturday.
Arab Golf Federation wraps up inaugural Elite Scholarship Camp in Riyadh
Targeting under-18 boys and girls, the program forms part of the federation’s broader effort to create a sustainable pipeline of Arab golfers capable of competing on the global stage
Updated 29 June 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Arab Golf Federation concluded the first-ever edition of its Elite Sports Scholarship Program Camp on Sunday.
The event brought together 16 promising young golfers from across the region for an intensive four-day development experience at Riyadh Golf Club.
The camp, held in partnership with IMG Academy, marked the launch of one of the AGF’s flagship long-term initiatives aimed at producing a new generation of Arab golfing talent by 2035.
Targeting under-18 boys and girls, the program forms part of the federation’s broader effort to create a sustainable pipeline of Arab golfers capable of competing on the global stage.
Over the course of the week, participants underwent technical, physical and psychological assessments, including high-performance testing using TrackMan technology, as well as on-course and indoor training.
To simulate competitive pressure, players took part in two 18-hole championship rounds, with final-day winners crowned and scholarship recipients selected.
Those chosen will begin receiving full support from August, including elite coaching, academic tutoring, strength and conditioning, and mental performance services.
Speaking at the camp, IMG Academy Executive Director Kevin Craggs delivered a session titled “Mastering the Margin: Coaching for Clarity and Competitive Edge.”
Addressing families and coaches, Craggs highlighted the value of resilience, conscious leadership and athlete-centered development.
AGF President Sheikh Fahim Al-Qasimi had previously said the scholarship program represented a pivotal moment for Arab golf, positioning the region as a serious player on the global sporting map.
“By investing in the next generation of athletes, we are creating long-term opportunities for Arab players to succeed internationally,” he said ahead of the camp’s launch.
The conclusion of the Riyadh camp coincided with another major milestone for regional golf: More than 35 Arab players took part in an Asian Development Tour tournament in Morocco during the same week, highlighting the AGF’s commitment to providing real-world competitive exposure as part of its talent pipeline.
Lando Norris resists Oscar Piastri to lead dominant McLaren one-two in Austria
25-year-old Briton came home 2.695 seconds clear of the 24-year-old Australian to trim his lead in the title race by 15 points
Updated 29 June 2025
AFP
SPIELBERG: Lando Norris resisted vigorous attacks from team-mate and championship leader Oscar Piastri to claim a masterful McLaren 1-2 in Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.
In torrid heat at the Red Bull Ring, the 25-year-old Briton came home 2.695 seconds clear of the 24-year-old Australian to trim his lead in the title race by 15 points.
It was Norris’s first win in Austria, his third win this year and the seventh of his career.
It was McLaren’s first win in Austria since David Coulthard triumphed in 2001.
The McLaren pair battled throughout the race to provide thrilling racing for the packed crowd and put behind them their collision in Canada two weeks earlier.
Charles Leclerc was third ahead of his Ferrari team-mate seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, their best result of the year, with George Russell finishing fifth for Mercedes.
“It was a tough race,” said Norris.
“Pushing the whole way through... tricky, hot, tiring, but the perfect result for us as a team, a 1-2 again. We had a great battle, that’s for sure.”
For Piastri, it was equally demanding.
“Intense!” he said.
“I hope it was good watching because from inside the car it was hard work. Yeah, I tried my absolute best.”
Liam Lawson came in a career-best sixth for RB on a desultory day for the senior Red Bull team after four-time champion Max Verstappen retired on the opening lap after being hit by Mercedes’ teenage rookie Kimi Antonelli. He is now 61 points behind Piastri.
Two-time champion Fernando Alonso was seventh ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto and his Sauber team-mate Nico Hulkenberg, the future Audi outfit showing their huge potential, with Esteban Ocon finishing 10th for Haas.
After a frantic prelude, during which Carlos Sainz’s Williams failed to leave the grid and then caught fire in the pit lane, the race was delayed for 10 minutes — before delivering immediate drama at the second attempt.
Norris made a clean start while, behind him, Piastri passed Leclerc on the outside of Turn One before Antonelli locked up and lost control at Turn Three and hit Verstappen’s Red Bull.
A safety car was deployed as both drivers retired on lap one ending, for the defending champion a run of 31 races in the points.
“I got hit,” said the Dutchman on team radio.
The teenage rookie apologized. “I locked the rear. Sorry about that,” he told Mercedes.
The race resumed after a two-minute slowdown and Norris was forced immediately to defend as Piastri, looking sharp, attacked as also did Russell on Hamilton for fourth. Both were thwarted by defensive driving.
By lap 12, the McLaren duo were four seconds clear and delivering a show of their own.
Unhampered by any embarrassing hangovers from their collision in Montreal, they raced side by side and wheel to wheel, but each time the Australian attacked, the Briton hung on.
In scorching heat of 32 degrees (air) and 55 (track), it was a perfect advertisement for the historic venue in the Styrian Alps which had secured a 16-year contract extension to 2041 before the race.
Norris pitted, taking hards, after surviving another Piastri lunge, at turn four, on lap 20.
Piastri then followed suit, emerging fourth until Leclerc pitted.
After the leaders out on track also changed tires Norris led Piastri by 6.5 seconds.
Red Bull’s misery intensified on lap 30 when Yuki Tsunoda hit Colapinto, sending both to the pits for repairs.
The Japanese rejoined 16th and last of the runners with a new front wing before being handed a 10-second penalty.
As the field settled Norris led Piastri by 3.2s.
Russell began the second round of stops on lap 46, followed by the rest of the leaders, leaving Norris to complete a near-perfect day in the Styrian mountains.
‘I take full responsibility’: Renard disappointed after Saudi exit from CONCACAF Gold Cup
Green Falcons 2-0 loss to Mexico in Arizona saw side leave tournament at quarterfinal stage
Updated 29 June 2025
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: Saudi coach Herve Renard expressed his disappointment and accepted the blame after his team’s 2-0 loss to Mexico, which saw them exit the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the quarterfinals.
“We did not perform at the (right) level, and the Mexican team deserved to win,” Renard said during the press conference following the match held in Arizona on Sunday morning.
“Sometimes the coach makes wrong decisions, and that’s part of football. I take full responsibility for today’s loss.”
He added: “We have to work on developing the offensive side of the national team, and we have benefited from our interactions with other teams during the tournament.
“We were lucky that Mexico did not play at 100 percent. I asked the players to put pressure on their defense, but we did not do it well and kept the ball.”
The French coach said that his time with the players was fruitful in terms of gaining experience, but admitted that the team failed to perform at its best during the crucial match. Focus will now shift to preparing well for the World Cup playoffs, Renard said.
