37th Italian Super Cup kicks off in Riyadh/node/2585021/saudi-sport
37th Italian Super Cup kicks off in Riyadh
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Updated 02 January 2025
Khaled Alarafah
37th Italian Super Cup kicks off in Riyadh
Serie A champions Inter Milan take on Atalanta and AC Milan tackle Juventus in bid to make Sunday鈥檚 final
Updated 02 January 2025
Khaled Alarafah
RIYADH: The 37th edition of the Italian Super Cup kicks off here today with Serie A champions Inter Milan taking on Atalanta, the Coppa Italia runner-up.
Hosted by 萝莉视频 for the fifth time, the tournament takes place at Al-Awwal Park Stadium until Jan. 6. The Ministry of Sports is the organizer of the event.
AC Milan, second in the Serie A last year, take on Juventus, the Coppa Italia champions on Friday, with the final on Sunday.
The event aligns with 萝莉视频鈥檚 Quality of Life program and the country鈥檚 plan to continue hosting major global sporting events.
It reflects the Ministry of Sports鈥 commitment to achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
DP World ILT20, Saudi Cricket Federation forge landmark partnership
The collaboration will see the ILT20 work closely with SACF and its commercial arm, the Cricket Investment Company
Season 4 of the DP World ILT20 will kick off on Dec. 2, with six teams competing across 34 matches
Updated 30 September 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The DP World International League T20 has joined forces with the 萝莉视频n Cricket Federation in a landmark agreement aimed at accelerating the growth of cricket in the Kingdom and Gulf region.
Under the partnership, announced in Dubai on Tuesday, the SACF officially licensed the DP World ILT20 as a recognized Twenty20 league for both men and women. The move paves the way for ILT20 matches to be staged in 萝莉视频, while also creating new development pathways for the Kingdom鈥檚 cricketers.
The collaboration will see the ILT20 work closely with SACF and its commercial arm, the Cricket Investment Company, to nurture local talent, enhance infrastructure and build stronger engagement with cricket fans in the Kingdom.
Significantly, Saudi players will now have a direct entry point into the competition. Each franchise in the upcoming ILT20 Season 4 Player Auction, scheduled for Oct. 1, will have to sign at least one Saudi player.
鈥淲e are very proud to announce our partnership with the 萝莉视频n Cricket Federation. 萝莉视频 is a key part of the Gulf region, and its commitment to developing cricket is inspiring,鈥 said Khalid Al-Zarooni, chairman of the ILT20.
鈥淭his partnership is built on our shared vision of growing the game beyond borders. The DP World ILT20 will create opportunities for players and hopefully bring world-class cricket closer to the fans.鈥
Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud, SACF chairman, said the agreement aligned with the Kingdom鈥檚 ambitions under Vision 2030 to expand sporting opportunities and community engagement.
鈥淭his collaboration reflects our commitment to developing cricket in the country and providing our players with opportunities to grow and succeed on an international stage,鈥 he said.
鈥淚t also provides a platform for fan engagement and opens further avenues for developing the game across infrastructure and tourism.鈥
David White, ILT20 CEO, described the partnership as a 鈥渟ignificant step鈥 in strengthening the game across the region.
鈥淲ith 萝莉视频鈥檚 dynamic growth in sport and entertainment, this partnership provides a tremendous opportunity for Saudi cricketers to develop,鈥 he said.
鈥淚n the coming years we will be hosting DP World ILT20 tournament matches in 萝莉视频. From next year, a development tournament will also be staged there, which will provide an excellent opportunity to the local talent to make a claim for the main event. The league will also help 萝莉视频 in cricketing infrastructure development.鈥
Season 4 of the DP World ILT20 will kick off on Dec. 2, with six teams competing across 34 matches before the final on Jan. 4, 2026.
Al-Ittihad sack coach Laurent Blanc after 2-0 loss to Al-Nassr
Updated 28 September 2025
Reuters
Al-Ittihad have sacked manager Laurent Blanc, the Saudi Pro League club said on Saturday following their 2-0 defeat against Al-Nassr a day earlier.
鈥淎l-Ittihad announces the termination of its contractual relationship with the first team鈥檚 head coach Mr.Laurent Blanc and his coaching staff,鈥 the club said on X.
Al-Ittihad added that they were also looking for 鈥渘ew technical staff that matches the club鈥檚 ambitions.鈥
Blanc took charge of Al-Ittihad in July last year and led the team to a domestic double, winning both the league title and the King鈥檚 Cup.
However, the team began the new season by exiting the Saudi Super Cup in the semifinals following a loss to Al-Nassr, before suffering a second defeat to the Riyadh-based side in the league on Friday. They are third in the standings, three points behind Al-Nassr.
Alaqraa dispatches Galal in 21 seconds in PFL MENA鈥檚 鈥楥hampions Collide鈥 fight night at The Arena Riyadh
Alaqraa will next meet with Morocco鈥檚 Diani, who beat Lebanon鈥檚 Fazli in the other welterweight semifinal match
Saudi MMA fighter Hattan Alsaif announces decision to turn professional after a flawless 4-0 amateur career
Updated 28 September 2025
Aisha Fareed
RIYADH: Kuwait鈥檚 mixed martial arts fighter Mohammad Alaqraa defeated Egypt鈥檚 Ayman Galal by technical knockout in the PFL MENA Welterweight Semifinal Saturday night at The Arena Riyadh, earning his way to a final match with Morocco鈥檚 Badreddine Diani.
The fight ended in just 21 seconds after Alaqraa (9-1) landed a powerful kick to the thigh of Galal (4-2), sending the 鈥淢aestro鈥 down, apparently injured.
Alaqraa鈥檚 victory concluded an action-packed 鈥淐hampions Collide鈥 fight night featuring Professional Fighters League combatants from the Middle East and North Africa, which also saw Saudi fighter Hattan Alsaif announcing her decision to turn professional after a flawless 4-0 amateur career.
鈥淚 knew he鈥檚 gonna think I鈥檓 gonna grapple and shoot in the beginning,鈥 Alaqraa told Arab News after the fight.
鈥淎s a fighter, we try our best to prepare for the fight. We do our best to see how the fight could go, but by the end of the day, it鈥檚 all about God and he plans it,鈥 he said.
Alaqraa will next meet Diani, who earlier defeated Lebanon鈥檚 Amir Fazli via split decision (27-30, 29-28 x2) in a fight marred by a judging controversy earlier in the night. Diani was initially announced as the loser, but the result was corrected to confirm his victory.
In the Lightweight semifinals, Salah Eddine Hamli forced to submission Souhil Tairi in the third round via arm-triangle choke. Hamli will face the undefeated Mohammad Fahmi (6-0), who opened the night by subduing Mohsen Mohammadseifi in the first round.
The Featherweight bracket also shaped up as Islam Reda dominated Taha Bendaoud via unanimous decision. Reda will face Yanis Ghemmouri, who earned his semifinal victory over Izzeddine Al Derbani by unanimous decision.
In Bantamweight action, Islam Youssef defeated veteran Xavier Alaoui by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) to advance to the final against Nawras Abzakh, who beat Moktar Benkaci via unanimous decision.
Saudi rising star Malik Basahel remained unbeaten, crushing Ahmed Mostafa with a second-round rear-naked choke. Meanwhile, Hassan Ahmed Moustafa edged Abdulaziz Bin Moammar in a split-decision amateur showcase.
Adding to the evening鈥檚 excitement, Hattan Alsaif announced she will make her professional debut on Dec. 5 after a perfect 4-0 amateur career.
Hattan Alsaif made history when she became the first female from 萝莉视频 to sign a contract with a major MMA promoter 鈥 the PFL, now backed by Saudi鈥檚 public investment fund. (Instagram photo)
Reflecting on her journey, Alsaif told Arab News: 鈥淭his type of sports are new to us. It鈥檚 true for, but Saudi people are really strong, they have really strong hearts, and they are brave.鈥 Her announcement marks a milestone moment for women鈥檚 MMA in the Kingdom.
The 鈥淐hampions Collide鈥 event highlighted Riyadh鈥檚 growing status as a premier global destination for combat sports. Fighters from across the region left it all inside the cage as they chased glory and a shot at the inaugural PFL MENA crowns.
Runners celebrate Saudi national day at Jeddah historic district
Event organized in collaboration with Historic Jeddah Program, Masafat Club, Saudi Sports for All Federation and Ministry of Sports鈥 Makkah region branch
Updated 20 September 2025
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: Professional runners, amateurs, families and children of all ages took to the streets and alleys of Jeddah鈥檚 historic district early Friday morning for the Jeddah Green Spirit Run, part of the city鈥檚 95th National Day celebrations.
The event was organized in collaboration with the Historic Jeddah Program, the Masafat Club, the Saudi Sports for All Federation and the Ministry of Sports鈥 Makkah region branch.
Offering 2km and 5km distances for all ages and skill levels, the run provided a patriotic community experience, encouraging participants to celebrate unity while staying active.
Runners followed a course winding through Historic Jeddah鈥檚 most iconic landmarks, giving them an opportunity to explore the city鈥檚 rich heritage. Key points along the route included Bab Jadid, the historic Hajj Route, Bab Al-Bunt, Beit Nassief and Al-Falah School.
Thirty-year-old Muhanad Abdulaziz, who participated alongside his wife, told Arab News: 鈥淩unning is more than just a physical activity 鈥 it鈥檚 a way of connecting with our country and with each other. I insisted that my wife and I take part in this special day with all the runners who came from everywhere to enjoy the race and celebrate our National Day.鈥
An estimated 1,000 runners of various nationalities took part, including a significant number of Filipino participants. Jon Abella said: 鈥淚t is a special day for Saudis, and we are here to share this happy occasion with them by running through this historic area.鈥
Meanwhile, 69-year-old Ahmed Al-Hamdan, who completed the 5km race, expressed his joy at participating alongside fellow veteran athletes.
He said: 鈥淲e are here to show our spirit, enthusiasm and patriotism for our beloved country. At the same time, we want to prove that age doesn鈥檛 matter 鈥 we can do it just like the young runners.鈥
Riyadh Season hosts 鈥楻ing V: Night of the Samurai鈥. supplied
Updated 18 September 2025
Arab News
Naoya Inoue to headline Riyadh鈥檚 鈥楴ight of the Samurai鈥
Japanese superstar Inoue will fight for the first time in 萝莉视频 on Dec. 27, against Mexico鈥檚 Alan Picasso Romero
Updated 18 September 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, has announced that Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue (31-0, 27 KOs) will defend his WBC super-bantamweight title against Mexico鈥檚 Alan Picasso Romero (32-0-1, 17 KOs) on Dec. 27.
The fight will headline Riyadh Season鈥檚 鈥淩ing V: Night of the Samurai鈥 at the Mohammed Abdo Arena, according to reports on Thursday.
This marks Inoue鈥檚 first fight in 萝莉视频, following his dominant title defense last weekend against Murodjon Akhmadaliev.
Ring Magazine has ranked Inoue third in boxing鈥檚 pound-for-pound ratings, with Terence Crawford first and Oleksandr Usyk second.
The card includes Junto Nakatani (31鈥0, 24 KOs), the unified bantamweight champion, who will make his super鈥慴antamweight debut against Mexico鈥檚 Sebastian Hernandez Reyes (20鈥0, 18 KOs), a 24鈥憏ear鈥憃ld rising star.
The card will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN and Lemino in Japan.
