Saudi riders continue to make progress in AlUla

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The Saudi team is introduced to fans at Al-Manshiyah Station ahead of Stage 3 of the Saudi Tour. (Supplied)
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Updated 01 February 2023
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Saudi riders continue to make progress in AlUla

  • Azzam Al-Abdulmumin played his part in a five-man breakaway during the 159.5km 3rd stage from Manshiyah Station to Abu Rakah
  • The breakaway was eventually reeled in and Soren Waerenskjold of the Uno X Pro Cycling team claimed the stage victory

ALULA: Saudi riders were to the fore in a thrilling third day of the Saudi Tour, encompassing the stunning cycling terrain of AlUla.

Azzam Al-Abdulmumin played his part in a five-man breakaway, which tried to stay ahead of the chasing peloton during the 159.5km stage from Manshiyah Station to Abu Rakah.

The breakaway was eventually reeled in, with just under 50km to go, and Soren Waerenskjold of the Uno X Pro Cycling team claimed the stage victory in Abu Rakah.

This is the first time that the Saudi Cycling Federation team has competed in the Saudi Tour, taking its place in the field alongside seven UCI World Tour teams, six UCI Pro teams and two Asian UCI Continental teams.

Al-Abdulmunim, Hassan Al-Jumah, Murthada Al-Shaghab, Hani Al-Mrhoon and Abdulaziz Al-Hashim are all gaining invaluable experience in the world-class peloton.

Salem El-Salem, a key member of the Saudi Cycling Federation coaching team, is delighted that the cyclists can use the Saudi Tour and AlUla as a benchmark in their development.

He said: “It is a very tough level for the team, but this is Saudi and we are Team Saudi so we have this incredible opportunity for the riders and federation to work and improve.

“We have prepared very well but it is a different level. In general, we are doing very well and I hope this will continue.

“This is just the start and the Saudi Tour in AlUla is the perfect place for us to look at everything and check exactly what we need — we have put together a four-year schedule and we are now on year one, and we are taking things step by step.”


Minister of Sport receives 2025 AFC Elite Champions League champions Al-Ahli

Updated 7 sec ago
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Minister of Sport receives 2025 AFC Elite Champions League champions Al-Ahli

JEDDAH: Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal received the 2025 AFC Elite Champions League champions Al-Ahli at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah and congratulated them on their victory over Japan’s Kawasaki.

The reception was also attended by Assistant Minister of Sport Abdulilah bin Saad Al-Dalak, President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Yasser Al-Misehal, and several ministry officials and leaders.

Prince Abdulaziz expressed his pride and appreciation for the outstanding performances delivered by the Al-Ahli players over the course of the tournament. He also praised the players’ commitment, competiveness and cohesiveness, which paved the way for ultimate victory.

PFL MENA season 2 opens with world-class talent in Jeddah on Friday

PFL MENA 2 will feature world-class talent from the Middle East North Africa region. Credit: @Webook12T
Updated 05 May 2025
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PFL MENA season 2 opens with world-class talent in Jeddah on Friday

  • Reigning lightweight champion, Iran’s Mohsen Mohammadseifi, battles rising contender Ahmed El-Sisy from Egypt
  • Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz bin Moammar makes his debut against Morocco’s Fares Hamdani in catchweight bout

JEDDAH: The second season of PFL MENA begins this Friday at the Onyx Arena in Jeddah, featuring world-class talent from the Middle East North Africa region.

Headlining the card is a high-stakes lightweight showdown between reigning champion Mohsen Mohammadseifi from Iran and rising contender Ahmed El-Sisy from Egypt.

The division also features a trio of compelling matchups, with Algeria’s Souhil Tahiri taking on Kuwait’s Abdullah Saleem, and Bahrain’s Abbas Khan squaring off against Moroccan striker Salah Eddine Hamli.

The featherweight division promises equal intensity.

Jordan’s Abdelrahman Alhyasat, riding the momentum of a five-fight win streak, faces a formidable challenge in undefeated Moroccan Taha Bendaoud.

In other featured featherweight contests, Jordan’s Izzeddine Al-Derbani meets Algerian standout Mohamed Amine, while Iraq’s Hussein Salem takes on Egypt’s Assem Ghanem.

Adding to the excitement are several exhibition bouts, including Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz bin Moammar making his debut against Morocco’s Fares Hamdani in a catchweight fight.

The flyweight division will see local favorite Malik Basahel clash with Algeria’s Mountassir Boutouta.

The evening will also spotlight women’s MMA, with undefeated Kuwaiti talent Eman Almudhaf going toe-to-toe with Brazil’s Shamara Braga in a featherweight contest that promises fireworks.

Stacked with world-class talent, the PFL’s return to Jeddah sets the stage for a thrilling 2025 season.


Who is the best? Shai and Jokic in NBA playoffs

Updated 05 May 2025
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Who is the best? Shai and Jokic in NBA playoffs

  • Oklahoma City’s record-breaking season meets Denver’s championship pedigree in Western Conference clash

DUBAI: The first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs was nothing short of spectacular, filled with jaw-dropping moments, dramatic finishes, and two thrilling Game 7 matchups.

Now, as the second round tips off, all eyes are on the highly anticipated clash between the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets, a series headlined by a battle between NBA regular season Most Valuable Player frontrunners Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

This matchup is not just about advancing to the Western Conference finals. It also has the potential to answer one of basketball’s most debated questions among media and fans: Who is the best player in the world right now?

Jokic is coming off a historic regular season, becoming just the third player in NBA history after Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook to average a triple-double. He is also the first center to achieve this feat, finishing with 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. On the other side, Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game, guiding Oklahoma City to an NBA-best 68-14 record.

At some point during the postseason the NBA will announce the winner of the MVP award and present the Michael Jordan Trophy. The three finalists, Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, reflect the elite tier of the league, although Antetokounmpo is widely expected to finish third in the voting.

The MVP race adds an extra layer of intensity to this series. While the award is based solely on regular-season performance and will not be influenced by playoff results, the head-to-head battle offers players an opportunity to strengthen their case in the eyes of fans.

History shows that MVP rivalries often bring out legendary playoff performances. Michael Jordan delivered exactly that when facing MVP winners Charles Barkley in 1993 and Karl Malone in 1997, reaffirming his status as the best player in the world. 

Against Barkley’s Suns, Jordan erupted for 55 points in Game 4, one of the highest-scoring games in NBA finals history, and led the Bulls to a third straight title. In 1997, he outshone Malone and hit the game-winning shot in Game 1, setting the tone for another championship run.

This year, Gilgeous-Alexander may have the edge in the MVP conversation. Voters often factor in team success, and with the Thunder finishing first in the league, his leadership and consistency are difficult to ignore. Jokic, despite posting another historic season, could be impacted by voter fatigue after already winning the award three times.

Denver enter the second round fresh from a commanding 120-101 win over the Clippers in Game 7 at Ball Arena, a result that sent a strong message to Oklahoma City that the defending champions are still a force to be reckoned with.

Meanwhile, the Thunder cruised past the Memphis Grizzlies with a first-round sweep, earning a full week of rest. While the break can help players recover, it may also disrupt their rhythm, a factor that has affected playoff teams in the past.

Adding to the storyline, this series marks the first time franchise icon Russell Westbrook has faced the Thunder in a playoff series, and his first postseason return to Oklahoma City in front of fans. The emotional weight of that moment is sure to resonate with both the crowd and the team. Westbrook played a key role in Denver’s Game 7 blowout win over the Clippers, contributing with energy, expertise in defense, and veteran presence off the bench.

The Thunder had a historic 2024–25 NBA season, finishing with a league-best 68–14 record (.829), the top mark in the Western Conference and the best in franchise history. They dominated on both ends of the floor, leading the league with a +12.9 point differential per game and setting a new NBA record with 54 double-digit victories, surpassing the mark held by the legendary 1971–72 Lakers.

This remarkable season positions Oklahoma City as a strong favorite in their matchup against the Denver Nuggets. However, it would be a mistake to count out Nikola Jokic and his battle-tested crew, who won the NBA championship just two seasons ago, and bring valuable playoff-winning experience. With elite talent on both sides and MVP stakes in the spotlight, this series promises to be one of the most thrilling showdowns of the postseason.

Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets tips off at 5:30 a.m. (Gulf Standard Time) on Tuesday, May 6.


‘I want to be the best’: Kuwait’s Eman Almudhaf eyes debut success at PFL MENA in Jeddah

Updated 05 May 2025
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‘I want to be the best’: Kuwait’s Eman Almudhaf eyes debut success at PFL MENA in Jeddah

  • The 32-year-old faces Brazil’s Shamara Braga in a women’s featherweight showcase bout at Onyx Arena on May 9

JEDDAH: Undefeated Kuwaiti mixed martial arts standout Eman Almudhaf is determined to be victorious in her long-awaited SmartCage debut at PFL MENA 1 on May 9 at the Onyx Arena in Jeddah.

The card for the PFL MENA’s highly-anticipated second season in Jeddah features an exciting crop of newcomers, which includes Almudhaf, who faces fellow PFL debutant Shamara Braga from Brazil in a women’s featherweight showcase bout.

The 32-year-old Almudhaf owns a pristine 4-0 professional MMA record, with all her wins coming by way of stoppage.

Ahead of her maiden appearance, the UAE Warriors veteran has made her goals clear: “I want to be the best.”

While it may sound like a lofty goal, it is one that Almudhaf expects out of herself, especially since she has already made history as the first female fighter from Kuwait to join the PFL.

More than just the distinction of being the first, Almudhaf is proud to be blazing a path for athletes like herself. “Being the first Kuwaiti female fighter in the PFL is great, of course.

“We’re showing that we belong in this sport at the highest level, just as much as anyone,” she said.

Almudhaf relishes the opportunity, especially since she was a witness to PFL MENA’s immensely successful first season.

“I did follow some of the fights, especially when the Kuwaiti fighters were on. I did follow last season’s finals as well,” she revealed. “I’m impressed by the level of talent and how fast the league is growing.”

“I’m very excited to be part of the biggest show in the Middle East right now,” she added.

In her first assignment under the PFL MENA banner, Almudhaf will take on a dangerous and significantly more experienced fighter in Braga, who owns a 5-3 professional record.

While her opponent has had more fights, Almudhaf is unfazed.

“My opponent looks tough and has double the cage experience I have, but technically and tactically, I believe that I’m better in all aspects of the game,” she said.

“I predict a dominant performance.”

Almudhaf will not have the luxury of a full fight camp for her PFL debut, but she is confident that her years of work have prepared her well for this opportunity.

“Though it was a relatively short-notice fight, I have always been training and staying ready for any opportunity that comes,” she explained. “I can’t wait to show all the work I’ve put in, not just for this fight but from all my years of training.”

While Almudhaf hails from Kuwait, she sharpens her skills in the UK, training out of the famed London Fight Factory and Great Britain Top Team stables.

“I’m incredibly proud to represent Kuwait and the MENA region, as well as both my teams in the UK, London Fight Factory and Great Britain Top Team,” she shared.

Almudhaf hopes she can become an inspiration for another generation of Kuwaiti athletes. “If I had any advice, it would be to stay focused, work hard, and don’t let anyone limit you.”

She added: “Yes, of course, there are many challenges, different ones at each stage of my career, but I believe that having the belief in myself, a big passion for the sport, and a strong team around me helps me face any obstacle along the way.”


Lewandowski back to Barcelona squad for 2nd leg against Inter Milan in the Champions League

Updated 05 May 2025
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Lewandowski back to Barcelona squad for 2nd leg against Inter Milan in the Champions League

  • The striker missed four games, including last week’s thrilling first leg against Inter in Barcelona, when the teams drew 3-3
  • The 36-year-old Lewandowski is having one of his best seasons with Barcelona, having scored 40 goals

BARCELONA: Barcelona is getting a boost in attack with the return of Robert Lewandowski ahead of Tuesday’s second leg against Inter Milan in the Champions League.
Lewandowski was included in the squad on Monday after being sidelined for about two weeks because of a left thigh injury.
The striker missed four games, including last week’s thrilling first leg against Inter in Barcelona, when the teams drew 3-3.
The Polish striker was injured in a Spanish league match against Celta Vigo on April 19.
“After two weeks working on his recovery and training with the squad on Sunday, he has been given the all clear to return to action,” Barcelona said.
The 36-year-old Lewandowski is having one of his best seasons with Barcelona, having scored 40 goals in total, including 11 in the Champions League. He leads the Spanish league with 25 goals, one more than Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick rested nearly all of his regular starters in the team’s 2-1 win at Valladolid in the Spanish league on Saturday. With four games each remaining, Barcelona has a four-point lead over Madrid ahead of next Sunday’s “clasico” between the rival teams.