Milan boss says injuries will be ‘no excuse’ for not performing in Italian Super Cup

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao during training in Riyadh ahead of the Italian Super Cup semi-final clash with Juventus. (Reuters)
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Updated 02 January 2025
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Milan boss says injuries will be ‘no excuse’ for not performing in Italian Super Cup

  • The Italian Super Cup is taking place in Saudi Arabia for a fifth time

RIYADH: AC Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao said on Thursday that injuries and a short training window will not be “an excuse” for his side ahead of their Italian Super Cup semi-final against Juventus on Friday.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Riyadh, the Portuguese underlined the importance of delivering a top-level performance and taking full advantage of opportunities to secure a spot in the final.

“I would have liked more days to work and more players available, but when I arrived I already knew about this situation,” he said.

“So there are no excuses, heads up. There are still two training sessions to go, we are preparing the match to be incisive, without having too much information in our heads, to try to win.

“Milan is a great club, and its rightful place is at the top. Everyone must work hard to bring joy to our fans in Italy and worldwide. We need to play with offensive aggression against Juventus, aiming to break their defense with teamwork rather than relying on individual players,” he added.

The Italian Super Cup is taking place in Saudi Arabia for a fifth time, and all three matches will be played at the King Saud University Stadium in the capital.

Conceicao said that he was confident in his team’s defensive strength, and dismissed any emotional distraction from the fact that his son, Francisco, will be playing for the opposing team.

“We have a huge responsibility which is defending the colours of one of the most historical clubs in football. We have a strong fan base, not only here but also elsewhere globally and we will do our best to make our supporters happy and proud,” he said.

“We have to play aggressively against Juventus. Our goal is to penetrate Juventus’ defence as a complete team, not by relying on individual players.

“Having my son on the opposing team won’t affect me. My goal is clear: to win like I do in any other match. There is no place for feelings on the field,” he added.

He also said that he and his team had received “a warm welcome in Saudi Arabia,” and thanked organizers for that.

The growth of football in Saudi Arabia – where some 80 percent of the population either play, attend, or follow the game – has been noticed across the globe, and Conceicao praised the passion for football in the Kingdom.

“There are many Portuguese players and coaches here in Saudi. It’s a league that is growing a lot and quickly. We can literally feel the passion for football and the will to grow. Many important players are contributing to this evolution,” he said.

French goalkeeper Mike Maignan echoed his coach’s determination and stressed the importance of following tactical instructions and giving their best to meet the expectations of the fans.

Juventus head coach Thiago Motta, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of small details in determining the outcome of the match. He acknowledged the challenges of the knockout format, calling on his team to demonstrate their style and character.

“Our players are eager to compete at the highest level,” Motta said. “The support of our fans will provide a crucial boost in achieving our goals.”


Zverev suffers early exit in French Open warm-up

Updated 55 min 16 sec ago
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Zverev suffers early exit in French Open warm-up

  • Muller, ranked 40th in the world, beat a top-five ranked opponent for the first time in his career
  • The German said sickness was behind his lacklustre showing

BERLIN: World number three Alexander Zverev blamed illness after a last 16 elimination by Frenchman Alexandre Muller in the Hamburg Open on Wednesday botched his French Open dress rehearsal.

Muller, ranked 40th in the world, won 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5) to reach the quarter-finals, beating a top-five ranked opponent for the first time in his career.

The German struggled in the opening set, taking just two games as Muller won in 34 minutes. Zverev opened strongly in the second and broke his opponent twice.

In the third, Zverev and Muller broke each other once before forcing a tiebreak. Zverev held the advantage until Muller won the final three points to take the match.

A last-minute sign-up to the clay court event, Zverev had hoped to use his hometown tournament to gain momentum for the French Open.

The German said sickness was behind his lacklustre showing. “It was OK considering I threw up 37 times and had a fever of 39.4 degrees (Celsius, 102.9 Fahrenheit) all night.

“I was two points away from winning the match. There’s a lot to be said in my favor.”

The 28-year-old said his opponent had taken advantage of his poor condition.

“When I had to walk it was difficult. He then realized at some point I wasn’t feeling well and made the points last as long as possible.”

Still looking for a breakthrough Grand Slam victory, Zverev lost in the most recent Australian and French Open finals, along with the US Open in 2020.

After an inconsistent start to 2025, Zverev broke through to win the Bavarian Open in April, his third victory on the Munich clay. The German was however eliminated at the quarter-finals in Rome in straight sets last Wednesday.

Zverev won the tournament in 2023 and made the final last year, losing to France’s Arthur Fils in a third-set tiebreak.

The German was considered the favorite for the tournament after world number one Jannik Sinner’s late withdrawal.

Earlier on Wednesday, American second seed Frances Tiafoe was eliminated by Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut and fourth-seeded Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo lost to Czech Jiri Lehecka.


Saudi Dodgeball Federation hosts introductory event for wheelchair users

Updated 21 May 2025
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Saudi Dodgeball Federation hosts introductory event for wheelchair users

  • First-of-its-kind event in the Kingdom is part of federation’s efforts to promote and expand participation in the sport across the country
  • Organization says it is committed to helping disabled persons develop their talents and abilities in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030

RIYADH: The Saudi Dodgeball Federation this week hosted an event to introduce wheelchair users to a version of the sport they can take part in.
The federation said the first-of-its-kind event, which took place on Monday at Riyadh Club for Persons with Disabilities, was an example of the social programs and activities it offers as part of its efforts to promote and expand participation in the sport across the Kingdom.
This reflects the organization’s commitment to helping disabled persons develop their talents and abilities, it added, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the national plan for development and economic diversification.
Federation officials present at the event included its president, Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz, and its executive director, Abdulaziz Al-Hazani.
Prince Saud thanked the Riyadh Club for its constructive cooperation with federation in staging the event, and praised it for the work it does to support and train athletes with disabilities.
“The event is a continuation of the federation’s ongoing efforts and commitment to working with various entities and organizations across the Kingdom to serve Saudi sports and contribute to the realization of Vision 2030 objectives,” he added.


Liverpool to unveil new Heysel memorial marking 40th anniversary of disaster

Updated 21 May 2025
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Liverpool to unveil new Heysel memorial marking 40th anniversary of disaster

  • "Titled 'Forever Bound', the new memorial will replace the existing plaque
  • The memorial will be unveiled later in the English summer

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool will unveil a new memorial at Anfield to mark the 40th anniversary of the Heysel Stadium disaster where 39 supporters were killed, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

The fans, mainly Italian Juventus supporters, were killed when a wall collapsed after Liverpool fans charged them before the European Cup final in Brussels in 1985.

More than 600 were also injured in one of the worst disasters in soccer stadiums, leading to a five-year ban for English clubs from European competition.


"Titled 'Forever Bound', the new memorial will replace the existing plaque currently situated on the wall of the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand and will move to a new location at the stadium," Liverpool said in a statement.

"The newly designed memorial will feature two scarves knotted together and gently tied - symbolising the unity and solidarity between the two clubs and the bond formed through shared grief and mutual respect in the aftermath of the disaster."

Liverpool said the plans for the new memorial were shared with Juventus and the families who lost loved ones.

The memorial will be unveiled later in the English summer. Juventus are unveiling their own near their Allianz Stadium on May 29, the anniversary of the disaster.

"To see a new memorial created with such care means a lot and it's incredibly important to have a fitting tribute to remember the 39 fans who lost their lives," the Liverpool statement cited Ian Rush, who played for both clubs and also witnessed the tragedy in 1985, as saying.

"We must never forget why this matters and why we continue to stand together in solidarity, all these years later."


Zamzam Al-Hammadi: UAE teen fighter making history in the cage and beyond

Al-Hammadi spoke during the “Playing to Win: Women, Sports, and Breaking Barriers” panel. supplied
Updated 21 May 2025
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Zamzam Al-Hammadi: UAE teen fighter making history in the cage and beyond

  • Martial artist prepares for professional debut in PFL MENA as she inspires a new generation of Arab female athletes

Riyadh: At just 17, Zamzam Al-Hammadi is rapidly emerging as one of the Middle East’s most promising athletes and a trailblazer for women in combat sports.

The Emirati martial artist recently took center stage at the Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit in Riyadh, where she joined an elite panel of regional sports pioneers to discuss the evolving role of women in athletics.

The summit, hosted at the St. Regis Riyadh, was aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and brought together more than 125 influential women from across sectors.

Al-Hammadi spoke during the “Playing to Win: Women, Sports, and Breaking Barriers” panel alongside motorsport driver Mashael Al-Obaidan, boxing advocate Rasha Alkhamis, and Aalia Al-Rasheed, head of the women’s football department at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

A decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts competitor, Al-Hammadi has already clinched global youth titles under the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation and JJIF World Youth Championships. Now, she is poised to make history as the first female fighter from the UAE to sign a professional MMA contract with the Professional Fighters League.

“Joining the PFL is a dream come true,” Al-Hammadi said. “Being a part of the PFL MENA roster means that I’ll be competing on a bigger platform, and more eyes will be on me. That reach opens the door for global sponsorships, endorsements and partnerships, and that’s going to be a massive deal for me and my family.”

Her rise reflects a broader momentum in women’s sports across the region. With an unbeaten amateur record and a growing following, Al-Hammadi is set to debut in the second season of PFL MENA, a league that has already reshaped the regional MMA landscape.

Zamzam Al-Hammadi is rapidly emerging as one of the Middle East’s most promising athletes. supplied

Being the first female fighter from the UAE to become a professional in MMA comes with a responsibility, Al-Hammadi said. “I want to be one of the best to ever step foot inside the PFL SmartCage. I want to become a champion, and I want to be able to inspire young athletes, young girls like myself, to follow their dreams and work toward achieving their goals, especially in an industry where there aren’t a lot of female fighters that come from the Middle East.”

Al-Hammadi’s passion for martial arts runs deep. She comes from a family of fighters, with her sister Ghala also training in combat sports and her mother, Nada Al-Nuaymi, a seasoned judo and jiu-jitsu practitioner. This generational dedication emphasizes her position as both a pioneer and a role model.

Speaking at the summit, Al-Hammadi highlighted the rapid growth of MMA, particularly for women. She said that the sport has never let them down. “Now, if we watch, all around the world, the fans are cheering for the females more than the males, so this is something good,” she said.

She also praised SURJ Sports Investment, whose partnership with the PFL has been central to the success of the league’s expansion into the Middle East.

“For me, SURJ Sports Investment is really helping the PFL to organize, especially now that we have four events in the Middle East,” Al-Hammadi said. “When it comes to martial arts, most people are thinking outside of the Middle East, but now after seeing and discovering the talent that we have here in the Middle East, and also in Africa, for me it’s just awesome.”

As she prepares for her professional debut in the PFL SmartCage, Al-Hammadi remains focused on both performance and purpose. Her goal: Not only to win titles but to pave the way for a new generation of female fighters in the Arab world.

“More than just making history,” she said, “I want to make an impact.”


Wild Padel shines light on sporting community in Qatif

Updated 21 May 2025
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Wild Padel shines light on sporting community in Qatif

  • Established in 2023, the club went on to win the inaugural edition of the Barn’s Saudi Padel League for men a year later

RIYADH: Wild Padel, a family-owned club in Qatif, is doing more than just riding the wave of a fast-growing sport but rather redefining the essence of community in it.

Established in 2023, Wild Padel is led by the Al-Bayat family members of Ahmed Muneer, Hassan Ali, Abdullah Jamal, and Abdullah Muneer.

Ali told Arab News that although Wild Padel is not the first padel club in Qatif, it has quickly distinguished itself through its high-quality facilities, engaging community events, and strong commitment to promoting padel in the region.

“Despite not being the pioneer, it has become one of the most recognized and active clubs in the area,” he said. “Much of this success is thanks to the dedicated Wild Padel team and the supportive Wild Padel family who continue to train and play at the club.”

In December 2024, Wild Padel won the inaugural edition of the Barn’s Saudi Padel League for men against the highly competitive and respected team Padel X.

“While the challenge was intense, the strength, unity, and determination of our players brought home the title,” Ali said.

A sign of the community and camaraderie established at the club is the list of colorful nicknames that the members have developed.

The victorious team featured Captain Hassan Al-Abdullah, Abdullah “Mystro” Al-Faraj, Abdulaziz “The Engineer” Al-Abdullah, Abdullah “GOAT” Al-Abdullah, Qassim “The Golden Boy” Al-Obaidan, Ali “MVP” Dawani, Jose “Fighter” Arcos, Ali “The Talented” Hassan, Kumail “Leader” Al-Abbas, and Ali “Team Spirit” Al-Nasir.

Ali highlighted that the idea to set up Wild Padel was inspired by the rapid growth of the sport and its strong potential for future expansion in the Kingdom.

“The club was established to align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by promoting active lifestyles, supporting community engagement, and building a strong base of local talent. One of Wild Padel’s key goals is to develop skilled players through its academy, ultimately contributing to the Kingdom’s sporting success on both national and international levels,” he said.

Ali notes that with a growing number of passionate players and rising young talents, the Kingdom is well-positioned to become a regional and global hub for padel in the coming years.

“Padel has a promising future in the Kingdom, driven by strong support from the Ministry of Sports under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal. The efforts of the Saudi Padel Committee, led by Mugren Al-Mugren, alongside contributions from both governmental and private clubs, are accelerating the sport’s development.”