Dubai Duty Free joins inaugural Dubai Premier Padel P1 as official sponsor

Dubai Duty Free joins inaugural Dubai Premier Padel P1 as official sponsor
The inaugural Dubai Premeir Padel P1 event will take place in November at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Garhoud. (Supplied)
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Updated 09 September 2024
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Dubai Duty Free joins inaugural Dubai Premier Padel P1 as official sponsor

Dubai Duty Free joins inaugural Dubai Premier Padel P1 as official sponsor
  • The world’s best male and female players will compete this November at Dubai’s first Premier Padel event

DUBAI: Gallop Global, the organizer of this November’s first-ever Dubai Premier Padel P1 tournament, has confirmed Dubai Duty Free as the official sponsor of the inaugural event.

With the first-ever Dubai Premier Padel P1 event taking place Nov. 3-10 at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Garhoud, the sponsorship agreement will see the emirate’s new padel tournament team up with the brand synonymous with several international sporting competitions, including the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Part of the newly unified 25-event Premier Padel tour, which spans 18 countries across five continents this year, Dubai Premier Padel P1 will feature the world’s top male and female players contesting a prize pool of €470,000 (1.89 million dirhams). As a top-ranked P1 classified tournament, the sport’s leading male and female players are obligated to compete.

Dubai Duty Free already owns and organizes the city’s annual ATP and WTA events since their inception more than 30 years ago. Horse racing has also played a key role in the company’s sponsorship strategy and continues to hold a prominent position in a world-class global portfolio that includes tennis, golf, rugby and basketball.

“Bringing together Dubai Duty Free and Dubai Premier Padel P1 is a significant milestone for our inaugural event,” said Ivan Modia, tournament Director and CEO of Gallop Global. “Dubai Duty Free has decades of experience collaborating with major sporting associations and events, which we plan to leverage in our efforts to optimize the city’s inaugural Premier Padel event. Partners such as Dubai Duty Free empower our ambitious plans to elevate Dubai’s P1 event to a marquee position on the global padel calendar, underscored by memorable experience for fans and athletes alike.”

Ramesh Cidambi, managing director of Dubai Duty Free, said: “We are pleased to further expand our diverse sponsorship portfolio through this alliance with Dubai Premier Padel P1. As padel’s popularity in the UAE and around the world continues to grow, we are committed to playing our part in cementing Dubai as a leading destination on the international padel calendar, in line with the city’s already established reputation for hosting major global sporting events.”

The week-long tournament, which will take place under the patronage of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Sports Council, is a collaborative effort supported by the UAE Padel Association, the Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Sports Council, Premier Padel and Gallop Global.


Bayern Munich shift away from ‘Visit Rwanda’ sponsorship after criticism

Bayern Munich shift away from ‘Visit Rwanda’ sponsorship after criticism
Updated 15 sec ago
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Bayern Munich shift away from ‘Visit Rwanda’ sponsorship after criticism

Bayern Munich shift away from ‘Visit Rwanda’ sponsorship after criticism
Some Bayern fans displayed a large banner at a game in February protesting the deal
Now the German soccer champion say they have reached a new deal with Rwanda

MUNICH: Bayern Munich signaled Friday they will cut down on “Visit Rwanda” branding as they move “away from a commercial sponsorship” with the African nation facing a backlash over alleged support for rebels in neighboring Congo.

Bayern dismissed allegations of “sportswashing” when they signed a five-year Rwanda deal in 2023. It included advertisements in the stadium and what Bayern called events “to promote tourism and investment opportunities in Rwanda.”

At the time, they replaced a controversial sponsorship deal with Qatar. Rwanda has similar sponsorships with European soccer giants like Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid.

Some Bayern fans displayed a large banner at a game in February protesting the deal, amid accusations from the United Nations that Rwanda has backed rebels in neighboring Congo.

Now the German soccer champion say they have reached a new deal with Rwanda which turns the existing sponsorship deal into a three-year agreement focusing on developing young soccer players at a Bayern-affiliated academy in the country.

“In constructive talks about our future direction, we agreed that a very special part of our relationship with (the Rwanda Development Board) was the developmental nature of our work in Kigali through the FC Bayern Academy,” Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said in a statement.

“We are therefore transforming our commercial partnership into a talent program and expanding the FC Bayern Academy in (Rwanda’s capital) Kigali together with the RDB as both a football and social initiative. This remains perfectly aligned to our strategic objective of developing playing talent in Africa.”

Bayern didn’t specify how soon they would drop “Visit Rwanda” branding as part of the move, which is described as a transition. As of Friday afternoon local time, the branding was still displayed under a section of the Bayern website listing club sponsors and partners.

The RDB’s chief executive, Jean-Guy Afrika, was quoted by Bayern as saying the changes to the partnership aimed to “accelerate sports development,” adding: “This continued partnership with FC Bayern helps ensure that talent development remains anchored in our broader vision to position Rwanda as a global hub for tourism, investment, and high-performance sport.”

Rwanda’s presence in European soccer has grown steadily since 2018, when it first partnered with Arsenal to put “Visit Rwanda” branding on the London club’s shirt sleeves.

An agreement with PSG was signed in 2019 and renewed in April this year. It covers branding in the stadium and included shirt-sleeve sponsorship at the Club World Cup. A three-year deal to sponsor Atletico was agreed in April including branding on training and warm-up shirts.

Rwanda is accused of supporting the M23 rebel group, the most potent of more than 100 armed
groups vying for dominance in mineral-rich eastern Congo just across the border with Rwanda. Rwanda also has been accused of exploiting eastern Congo’s minerals, used in smartphones, advanced fighter jets and much more.

However, Rwandan authorities allege some of those who participated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide fled into Congo and are either working with or are being protected by the Congolese army. They have denied involvement in Congo’s minerals sector and said any security action taken is to protect its territory.

Man United unveil state-of-the-art training base they hope will return them to soccer’s elite

Man United unveil state-of-the-art training base they hope will return them to soccer’s elite
Updated 08 August 2025
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Man United unveil state-of-the-art training base they hope will return them to soccer’s elite

Man United unveil state-of-the-art training base they hope will return them to soccer’s elite
  • A $67m revamp of the club’s Carrington training base has been completed in time for the start of the new Premier League season
  • “The big thing that I like the most is now there’s going to be no excuses,” Dalot said

MANCHESTER: Manchester United opened their new “world class” training complex Friday that they hope will help return the fallen giant to the top of European soccer.

A 50 million pound ($67 million) revamp of the club’s Carrington training base has been completed in time for the start of the new Premier League season as the storied club aim to bounce back from their worst campaign in the modern era.

“The big thing that I like the most is now there’s going to be no excuses,” defender Diogo Dalot said.

United have gone 12 years since last winning the Premier League title in 2013 and last season recorded their lowest finish when placing 15th.

They also suffered a club record 18 losses in the Premier League and amassed their lowest points total, 42, as they failed to qualify for any European competition.

“It’s what we’re going to do on the pitch that obviously will determine what we do and where we put the club back on top,” Dalot said.

But he added that the new training center meant players had “everything that you need to be on your best shape mentally and physically.”

State-of-the-art performance and rehabilitation equipment has been installed, including altitude training facilities. Sleeping pods, oxygen chambers and cryotherapy treatment facilities are to be added imminently.

The project was funded by minority owner Jim Ratcliffe as part of the British billionaire’s $1.3 billion investment in the storied club last year.

“I hope it helps take Manchester United where Manchester United need to go,” he said.

Ratcliffe, who has also outlined plans to rebuild the club’s iconic Old Trafford stadium, said he had quickly made a decision to “invest significantly in the creation of a world class performance environment for staff and players to reflect our ambition and vision for Manchester United.”

“The club have to compete at the highest level. That’s appropriate to the brand and the size and the history of the club,” he said. “So whilst a world class training facility won’t take us to that place alone, it is one of the key ingredients in the modern world.”

As well as performance equipment, the redesign of the campus, led by architect Foster + Partners, includes facilities like a barber shop, a Formula 1 simulator and pool table, with a padel court due to be installed at the request of players.


Vitesse Arnhem lose last bid to save professional status, angering supporters

Vitesse Arnhem lose last bid to save professional status, angering supporters
Updated 08 August 2025
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Vitesse Arnhem lose last bid to save professional status, angering supporters

Vitesse Arnhem lose last bid to save professional status, angering supporters
  • The Central Netherlands Court rejected the club’s appeal to overturn a decision by the Dutch Football Association to revoke their professional license
  • Dutch media showed images of scuffles in Arnhem city center as supporters gathered

AMSTERDAM: One of the Netherlands’ oldest clubs, Vitesse Arnhem, lost a final bid to save their professional license on Friday and were effectively kicked out of the league, sparking fan protests.

The Central Netherlands Court rejected the club’s appeal to overturn a decision by the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) to revoke their professional license.

Dutch media showed images of scuffles in Arnhem city center as supporters gathered. One journalist was slapped, the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper reported, as anger was directed against media.

The court upheld the KNVB decision after the football association said the club had circumvented and undermined the licensing system for years and had spurned repeated opportunities to regularise their affairs, including debt reported to be around 14 million euros ($16.3 million).

The club, established in 1892, had been sanctioned last year and relegated to the Dutch second division because of financial irregularities, which the KNVB said included the absence of a bank account, the absence of a controlling accountant, and the fact that no conclusive budget could be provided.

Vitesse were the first Dutch club to have foreign owners in 2010 when Georgian businessman Merab Jordania took over the club with Russian Valeriy Oyf becoming majority owner in 2018.

The club’s financial fortunes changed drastically after sanctions that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The decision means Saturday’s scheduled match against Almere City has been canceled and leaves the Dutch second division with 19 clubs.

In a statement, Vitesse said they were “devastated” by the verdict. “What the future holds is unclear,” the statement said.

“The club is exploring options and continues to talk to stakeholders to safeguard football in Arnhem.”

Vitesse, who were four-time runners-up in the Dutch league but never won the championship, will be forced to either continue as an amateur club or cease to exist.

The Dutch league has two divisions, but there is no mandatory promotion and relegation between the second tier of the professional competition and the amateur ranks.

“The worst-case scenario has come true,” said Arnhem’s Alderman for Sports Affairs Bob Roelofs.

“This is a tragedy for the city, for the supporters, for Vitesse. The city has lost a large part of its DNA.”


Lewandowski a doubt for Barca’s season opener after thigh issue

Lewandowski a doubt for Barca’s season opener after thigh issue
Updated 08 August 2025
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Lewandowski a doubt for Barca’s season opener after thigh issue

Lewandowski a doubt for Barca’s season opener after thigh issue
  • Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has suffered a hamstring injury and may miss the start of the La Liga season, the Catalan club announced on Friday

BARCELONA: Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has suffered a hamstring injury and may miss the start of the La Liga season, the Catalan club announced on Friday.

“The first team player Robert Lewandowski has a hamstring problem in his left thigh,” Barcelona said in a statement, without specifying how long the Polish striker would be out of action.

The 36-year-old is “unavailable” for Sunday’s friendly match against Como, which casts doubt on his presence in the matchday squad for Barcelona’s La Liga opener against Mallorca on August 16.

Lewandowski netted 42 times in 52 appearances in all competitions for the Catalan club last season as Hansi Flick’s side won the Spanish league, cup and super cup.


Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister in contention for Crystal Palace match after recovering from injury

Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister in contention for Crystal Palace match after recovering from injury
Updated 08 August 2025
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Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister in contention for Crystal Palace match after recovering from injury

Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister in contention for Crystal Palace match after recovering from injury
  • The Argentina international missed some of Liverpool’s preseason preparations when recovering from injury

LIVERPOOL: Alexis Mac Allister will be in Liverpool’s squad for Sunday’s Community Shield match against Crystal Palace.

The Argentina international missed some of Liverpool’s preseason preparations when recovering from injury. But he played in the last two friendlies against Yokohama F. Marinos and Atletico Madrid and will be in contention to play some part of the game against Palace at Wembley, coach Arne Slot said.

“He was out for two months I think, or longer because we didn’t play him in the last four games of the season. He trained with us since a week now, played 30 minutes, 45 minutes,” Slot said Friday. “So that’s not a situation where you would start a player... play him for 90 minutes. Starting is possible but definitely not for 90 minutes.”

The 26-year-old Mac Allister’s last competitive game was against Arsenal on May 11. He missed the Premier League champion’s last two games of the season.

Last month the midfielder said his absence was due to a series of issues, rather than one specific injury.

“It’s hard to explain because it’s not just one spot that you say, ‘OK, we have to focus on this,’” Mac Allister said. “It’s like two or three different things that I’ve been struggling (with) for a couple of months.

“At the end, we found the solution; we have been working a lot in the gym, on my structure.”

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has been ruled out of the match with a “minor” injury, Slot said.