Chacarra chasing more glory at The International Series and beyond

Chacarra chasing more glory at The International Series and beyond
Eugenio Chacarra at DLF Golf and Country Club, during International Series India Asian Tour. (Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour)
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Updated 31 January 2025
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Chacarra chasing more glory at The International Series and beyond

Chacarra chasing more glory at The International Series and beyond
  • The Spanish golfer took a first round lead in Gurugram as he begins post-LIV Golf journey

GURUGRAM: As he begins his post-LIV golf journey, talented Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra has set his sights on a second title on The International Series and Asian Tour.

He began in the best possible fashion on Thursday with the first-round clubhouse lead at a star-studded International Series India presented by DLF.

With a host of big names including Bryson DeChambeau and Joaquin Niemann unable to finish their rounds because of a fog delay in the morning, Chacarra hit the front with a four-under 68 that does not tell half the story.

After starting on 10, the 24-year-old was sitting on four over after a triple bogey on 13 and bogey on 14. But he battled back in sensational fashion on the testing Gary Player-designed course with seven birdies, an eagle and one dropped shot.

Summing up a visibly positive outlook — on and off the course — since his exit from Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC at the close of last season, he said: “I think I did a good job staying calm. I worked a lot on that in the last couple months, and with all that was going on, I think my mind’s really well.

“I am enjoying my golf again. I mean, I finished the season with fifth- and sixth-place finishes (International Series Qatar and the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers), and I also finished 14 at the Hong Kong Open (also on The International Series).

“So I know I was playing great, and since I put my mind better, I think my game is great, and I am having fun again, playing golf. I think I did a good job with my mental coach. I just focus shot by a shot, and then get myself in good position, hit good shots and see some balls go in.”

Chacarra, who won the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok in 2022, months after turning pro, confirmed he will be aiming for a shot at the PGA Tour via Q-School in September.

The one-time winner on The International Series, at the 2023 St Andrew’s Bay Championship, loves his time on the Asian Tour and is eager for more success.

“My goal is to get ready for September, for Q-School in the US. That is where I wanted to play and dreamed of playing since I was little. I had a lot of success in college in the US, and I love playing golf in the US. I still live there.

“That’s where I plan to be. I just need to work very hard every day. I love the Asian Tour, they’ve always been great to me. I love coming back here. I love playing in Asia. I love how the Asian Tour is developing.”

He added: “So I am going to play as much as I can. I know I am going to play the Kolon Korea Open, Macau (International Series Macau presented by Wynn). I love it out here, and I love what the Asian Tour does.

“I know when I am playing well, I am one of the best players in the world. So I just need to focus, get healthy, and play as much as I can, work hard and take every chance I get.”


Saudi Football Federation reportedly asks PSG’s Luis Campos to handle its sporting operations

Saudi Football Federation reportedly asks PSG’s Luis Campos to handle its sporting operations
Updated 7 sec ago
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Saudi Football Federation reportedly asks PSG’s Luis Campos to handle its sporting operations

Saudi Football Federation reportedly asks PSG’s Luis Campos to handle its sporting operations
  • The Portuguese executive is said to have been offered a decade-long deal worth €20 million a year
  • Sources say the federation wants to restructure the national team ahead of 2034 World Cup, with the goal of reaching the semi-finals

PARIS: Representatives of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation met Luis Campos, the sporting director of Paris Saint-Germain, in Geneva last week to discuss an offer for him to handle the federation’s sporting operations, French daily newspaper Le Parisien reported on Wednesday.
The Portuguese executive was offered €20 million ($20.8 million) a year in a contract that would run until 2034, according to the newspaper. Citing unnamed sources, it said the move is part of the federation’s plans to restructure and reorganize the Saudi national team ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which the Kingdom will host, with the goal of reaching the semi-finals.
If Campos, also a former sporting director of AS Monaco, accepts the offer, he will reportedly submit reports on Saudi football and the national team to Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal and the federation’s president, Yasser Al-Misehal.
The Le Parisien report added that Campos was given until the end of the year to respond to the offer, and in the meantime he will continue to focus on PSG until the end of the season. Campos joined the club in July 2022 and has helped it secure back-to-back Ligue 1 titles.


Pakistan soccer approves steps wanted by FIFA to lift international suspension

Pakistan soccer approves steps wanted by FIFA to lift international suspension
Updated 13 min 11 sec ago
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Pakistan soccer approves steps wanted by FIFA to lift international suspension

Pakistan soccer approves steps wanted by FIFA to lift international suspension
  • The PFF decided to approve those amendments
  • Pakistan remained hopeful the suspension will be lifted in time to play Syria on Mar. 25

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football Federation took a step toward returning to international soccer by unanimously approving constitutional amendments proposed by FIFA on Thursday.
FIFA hit Pakistan on Feb. 6 with a third international suspension in less than eight years after the federation rejected electoral reforms.
The PFF decided to approve those amendments by a 23-0 vote at an extraordinary congress in Lahore, where the attendees included officials from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation.
“The congress members endorsed the FIFA proposed amendments in the best interest of Pakistan football, paving the way for the national team’s participation in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers following the expected lifting of FIFA’s suspension,” the PFF said in a statement.
Pakistan remained hopeful the suspension will be lifted in time to play Syria on March 25 in its first qualifier for the 2027 Asian Cup. For that to happen, the AFC told the PFF the ban must be lifted by Tuesday.


Social Cricket program promotes women’s participation

Social Cricket program promotes women’s participation
Updated 27 February 2025
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Social Cricket program promotes women’s participation

Social Cricket program promotes women’s participation
  • Mohammed Alharbi: Our event in the IMSIU was under our Social Cricket program, which is focusing on promoting cricket within families and individuals
  • Alharbi: Our goal for 2025 is to make at least one event each month under the Social Cricket program in five different cities across the Kingdom

RIYADH: With the inspiring rise of cricket in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation has launched the Social Cricket program, promoting women’s participation in the sport.

Under the ambitious program, SACF aims to organize camps for boys and girls in different cities across the Kingdom.

One such camp was organized by the SACF at the Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh recently, where more than 250 female students experienced the game of cricket for the first time.

“A day filled with fun, teamwork, and discovering a new passion! ” the federation posted on X.

Mohammed Alharbi, SACF media coordinator, told Arab News: “Our event in the IMSIU was under our Social Cricket program, which is focusing on promoting cricket within families and individuals, creating opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels to enjoy the sport.”

“Our goal for 2025 is to make at least one event each month under the Social Cricket program in five different cities across the Kingdom,” Alharbi said.

The five cities are Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Yanbu and Jubail. “After Riyadh, we are working on a camp in other cities and we will announce it soon,” he said.

In collaboration with the International Cricket Council, the SACF is also organizing the Women’s Criiio Festival, promoting women’s cricket in the different cities.

SACF runs a social media campaign ahead of the events, encouraging cricket-lovers to join the program in their city.

“Don’t miss out on a weekend of fun, energy, and unforgettable moments!” the SACF posted on X, promoting the campaign.

Earlier this month, the SACF, represented by Alaa Alduaijy, also participated in the ICC Asia Women’s Development Conference, joining discussions on the growth of women’s cricket in the region.

The conference focused on development strategies, collaboration opportunities, and initiatives to further advance women’s cricket.

Last year, the federation launched the Schools Cricket program, aimed at promoting the sport among boys and girls across the Kingdom.


Hamilton goes fastest for Ferrari as rain in Bahrain hits F1 testing

Hamilton goes fastest for Ferrari as rain in Bahrain hits F1 testing
Updated 27 February 2025
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Hamilton goes fastest for Ferrari as rain in Bahrain hits F1 testing

Hamilton goes fastest for Ferrari as rain in Bahrain hits F1 testing
  • “So far so good, but the first topic is reliability,” Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said
  • Hamilton’s time was also a second faster than the best lap from the first day of testing

SAKHIR, Bahrain: Lewis Hamilton was fastest in his new Ferrari on the morning of the second day of Formula 1 preseason testing as rain in the desert affected Thursday’s session.
The seven-time champion’s best time was nearly four-tenths of a second faster than his former teammate George Russell of Mercedes. Carlos Sainz, Jr. was third fastest for Williams.
“So far so good, but the first topic is reliability. It’s always a question at the start of the season, and it went well,” Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said of the team’s first day and a half testing the new SF-25 car in Bahrain.
It’s harder to tell a car’s true performance because it isn’t clear how much fuel competitors have in their cars for test runs, Vasseur added.
Hamilton’s time was also a second faster than the best lap from the first day of testing Wednesday, which was set by Lando Norris for McLaren.
Adding to the unseasonably cold conditions, the rare sight of light rain in Bahrain midway through the session was an extra complication for teams trying to learn more about their new cars.
Expecting dry conditions in the desert, only two teams — Aston Martin and Haas — brought wet-weather tires for the test.
Testing has resumed for Thursday’s second session ahead of the third and final day on Friday. The first race of the season is the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 16.


Bayern Munich reportedly withdraw contract offer to Joshua Kimmich

Bayern Munich reportedly withdraw contract offer to Joshua Kimmich
Updated 27 February 2025
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Bayern Munich reportedly withdraw contract offer to Joshua Kimmich

Bayern Munich reportedly withdraw contract offer to Joshua Kimmich
  • Bayern decided at their supervisory board meeting on Monday to withdraw the offer
  • The proposed new deal reportedly included a modest pay rise

MUNICH: German media is reporting that Bayern Munich have retracted their contract extension offer to midfielder Joshua Kimmich, whose deal expires at the end of the season.
Kicker magazine on Thursday corroborated a report from the Bild tabloid saying Bayern decided at their supervisory board meeting on Monday to withdraw the offer they made to the player because of his hesitation in accepting it.
The 30-year-old Kimmich, who has played more than 400 games for Bayern since joining as a 20-year-old from Leipzig in 2015, reportedly earns around 20 million euros ($21 million) a year at the Bavarian powerhouse.
The proposed new deal reportedly included a modest pay rise.
Bayern’s board member for sports, Max Eberl, told broadcaster Sky this month that talks between the two parties were positive after the club announced new contract extension deals with Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies and Manuel Neuer.
“We’ve done our work bit by bit. We’ve had very good discussions with Joshua. We’ve clearly shown what our idea is with the extensions (that were announced),” said Eberl, who hoped that “we’ll get it over the finish line.”
Kimmich played every minute for Bayern across three competitions until he was forced off before the break against Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend with a tendon strain. He will likely miss the team’s visit to Stuttgart on Friday, but the club hopes he’ll be back for Bayer Leverkusen’s visit in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.
Kimmich is at liberty to join another club at the end of this season — as long as he does not sign a new deal at Bayern in the meantime. There has been speculation of a possible reunion with former Bayern coach Hansi Flick at Barcelona, though the financially troubled Spanish club would still need to pay his wages.