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5th Saudi Esports Federation Awards will celebrate milestone this weekend

5th Saudi Esports Federation Awards will celebrate milestone this weekend
The awards reflect the federation’s commitment to celebrating excellence in esports while inspiring the next generation to aim higher and dream bigger. (Supplied)
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Updated 27 January 2025

5th Saudi Esports Federation Awards will celebrate milestone this weekend

5th Saudi Esports Federation Awards will celebrate milestone this weekend
  • The awards take place on Friday at SEF Arena, Boulevard Riyadh City
  • 19 categories will highlight individuals and organizations making a significant impact on the esports scene

RIYADH: The Saudi Esports Federation will host the organization’s fifth awards this weekend in a celebration of the past year’s exceptional achievements in the Kingdom’s esports sector.

Taking place at SEF Arena, Boulevard Riyadh City, the 2024 awards aim to inspire and recognize both amateurs and professionals, reinforcing Ƶ’s position in the global esports industry.

This year’s event will feature 19 award categories, highlighting the individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on the esports scene. 

They include Best Rising Player of the Year; Best Rising Talent of the Year; Best Female Player of the Year, presented by Hilton; Best Club of the Year, presented by Richy; Best Content Creator, presented by SAIB; and Best Roster of the Year, presented by Golden Scent.

The awards reflect the federation’s commitment to celebrating excellence in esports while inspiring the next generation to aim higher and dream bigger, said SEF CEO Turki Al-Fawzan: “As we mark the fifth edition, we are proud to see how far the Kingdom has come in establishing itself as a leader in this dynamic industry.

“This has been a monumental year for esports in Ƶ, with Team Falcons’ historic victory at the Esports World Cup and Team Saudi’s triumph in the FIFAe World Cup™ Rocket League competition particularly worthy of note.!

He added: “These achievements further highlight the exceptional talent we have in the Kingdom and demonstrate our potential to lead the global esports stage. We look forward to building on the ecosystem in Saudi esports that leads to this success and developing even greater achievements in the future.”

The SEF Awards also recognize the efforts of key contributors to the industry, such as content creators, streamers, coaches and esports professionals. Their efforts are critical to building an inclusive and dynamic esports ecosystem.


UN experts urge FIFA, UEFA to suspend Israel over genocide accusations

UN experts urge FIFA, UEFA to suspend Israel over genocide accusations
Updated 53 min 13 sec ago

UN experts urge FIFA, UEFA to suspend Israel over genocide accusations

UN experts urge FIFA, UEFA to suspend Israel over genocide accusations
  • The experts said countries that host international organisations and sporting competitions with Israel must not "remain neutral in the face of genocide"
  • They noted that they were calling for a boycott of "the State of Israel and not individual players"

The experts said countries that host international organizations and sporting competitions with Israel must not “remain neutral in the face of genocide“
They noted that they were calling for a boycott of “the State of Israel and not individual players“

GENEVA: A group of United Nations experts on Tuesday urged the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and Europe’s football association UEFA to suspend Israel over accusations it is committing genocide in Gaza.
“Sports must reject the perception that it is business as usual,” the eight independent UN experts said in a statement.
“National teams representing States that commit massive human rights violations can and should be suspended.”
Contacted by AFP, UEFA refused to comment and FIFA did not respond immediately.
The experts, who are mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but who do not speak on behalf of the United Nations, said suspending Israel was “a necessary response to address the ongoing genocide.”
Their comments came a week after the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI), which also does not speak on behalf of the world body, said that “genocide is occurring in Gaza” and that Israel was to blame.
Israel, which launched its retaliatory war in Gaza following Hamas’s deadly attack inside Israel on October 7, 2023, has rejected that accusation.
The experts said countries that host international organizations and sporting competitions with Israel must not “remain neutral in the face of genocide.”
They noted that they were calling for a boycott of “the State of Israel and not individual players.”
“There should be no discrimination or sanctions against individual players because of their origin or nationality,” said the experts, who include Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on rights in the Palestinian territories, and members of the UN working group on business and human rights.
Last week at an event hosted by Amnesty International in London, former Manchester United star Eric Cantona denounced what he called “double standards” enjoyed by Israel.
“Four days after Russia started the war in Ukraine, FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia,” he said.
“We are now 716 days into what Amnesty International has called a genocide, and yet Israel continues to be allowed to participate,” he said.
“FIFA and UEFA must suspend Israel. Clubs everywhere must refuse to play Israeli teams,” he said.


Arsenal’s Madueke sidelined for ‘a few weeks’ due to knee injury, Arteta says

Arsenal’s Madueke sidelined for ‘a few weeks’ due to knee injury, Arteta says
Updated 23 September 2025

Arsenal’s Madueke sidelined for ‘a few weeks’ due to knee injury, Arteta says

Arsenal’s Madueke sidelined for ‘a few weeks’ due to knee injury, Arteta says
  • England international Madueke was substituted at halftime after picking up the injury
  • “It looks like he will be out for a few weeks ... we will have to scan him again next week,” Arteta told reporters

LONDON: Arsenal winger Noni Madueke will be out for a few weeks after suffering a knee injury in Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Manchester City, manager Mikel Arteta has said.
England international Madueke, who moved from Chelsea in the close season, was substituted at halftime after picking up the injury. British media said the 23-year-old could miss six to eight weeks.
“It looks like he will be out for a few weeks ... we will have to scan him again next week. He felt something in the beginning of the match, at halftime it was too sore,” Arteta told reporters on the eve of Wednesday’s League Cup third round clash at Port Vale.
“It doesn’t look too bad. He was gutted, disappointed because he was in such a good state. He was getting consistency and flow and was looking like a big threat.”
Arsenal’s Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie, another close-season arrival, has picked up a groin injury, Arteta added.
“We have to assess him in the next few days on how he goes. There’s been a change of load, he hasn’t really had a pre-season. We have to look in the next week on how he is. I think that will be a short-term injury,” the manager added.
Arsenal are also without Germany forward Kai Havertz, who had knee surgery last month, but their Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard, who suffered a shoulder injury earlier this month, is close to returning, Arteta said.
“No surgery. (Odegaard is) still really fine. He’s already been training. It will be a matter of days,” the Spaniard added.
Arsenal, who finished runners-up in the last three seasons, are second in the table, five points behind champions Liverpool.
The North London side visit Newcastle United on Sunday.


Frank unfazed by trophy expectations at Spurs

Frank unfazed by trophy expectations at Spurs
Updated 23 September 2025

Frank unfazed by trophy expectations at Spurs

Frank unfazed by trophy expectations at Spurs
  • “I’m very aware of the expectation,” said Frank
  • “I think it’s that balance. I would like us to get there where we can compete in all four tournaments throughout the year”

LONDON: Thomas Frank said he can handle the pressure to win trophies with Tottenham as he prepared for the start the club’s League Cup bid against Doncaster on Wednesday.
While many of his fellow Premier League managers use the League Cup to blood youngsters, Frank has pledged to pick a strong team to face third-tier Doncaster in the third-round clash in London.
Frank is well aware that Tottenham’s Europa League triumph under his predecessor Ange Postecoglou last season has raised expectations among fans.
Postecoglou was axed despite ending Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought because he presided over the club’s worst top-flight finish since 1976/77.
Improving on that 17th place is crucial for Frank in his first season after arriving from Brentford, but putting more silverware in the trophy cabinet would also be a feather in his cap.
“I’m very aware of the expectation,” said Frank. “I think it’s that balance. I would like us to get there where we can compete in all four tournaments throughout the year.
“If you want to compete in all four tournaments, you need to be good enough to pick the right team every single time.”
Tottenham last won the League Cup in 2008, while their most recent FA Cup success came in 1991.
They have not been crowned English champions since 1961.
Frank has won three of his first five league games and kicked off Tottenham’s Champions League challenge with a victory over Villarreal.
The Dane will be without Ben Davies and Randal Kolo Muani against Doncaster, but Dominic Solanke could be on the bench after the England striker trained on Tuesday.
“I think we’re aware that no players can play 60 games of 90 minutes. So, it’s that balance we need to hit throughout the season. Not only because we are facing Doncaster,” Frank said of his plans.
“We need to hit that perfect number of players that rotates and then a strong team. It will be a strong team.”


Chevalier blunder raises more doubts about whether PSG should have sold Donnarumma

Chevalier blunder raises more doubts about whether PSG should have sold Donnarumma
Updated 23 September 2025

Chevalier blunder raises more doubts about whether PSG should have sold Donnarumma

Chevalier blunder raises more doubts about whether PSG should have sold Donnarumma
  • Time will tell if PSG coach Luis Enrique made a rash decision to sell the 26-year-old Donnarumma
  • Chevalier replaced Donnarumma at PSG this season in a move that appeared surprising

PARIS: While Gianluigi Donnarumma received the best men’s goalkeeper award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday night, Lucas Chevalier simultaneously endured a torrid time as Paris Saint-Germain lost at Marseille 1-0.
Chevalier failed to deal with a cross from the right and was easily beaten in the air as Nayef Aguerd scored with a towering header at Stade Velodrome.
Not only was Chevalier not near the ball, his right arm was flailing and his back was turned — hardly authoritative goalkeeping. The early goal put PSG on the back foot and allowed Marseille the chance to dictate the tempo.
Time will tell if PSG coach Luis Enrique made a rash decision to sell the 26-year-old Donnarumma, who has yet to even reach his prime years.
Chevalier replaced Donnarumma at PSG this season in a move that appeared surprising, especially considering how Donnarumma’s shot-stopping in the knockout stages proved crucial to PSG winning the Champions League. Luis Enrique even described him as ” a titan ” after the win at Arsenal in the first leg of their semifinal.
Chevalier is vastly more inexperienced than Donnarumma, the penalty-stopping star for Italy when they won the European Championship in 2021 and for PSG against Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16.
Donnarumma has played 76 times for Italy, while Chevalier has yet to play for France and has only one season of Champions League experience behind him.
But Luis Enrique wanted a different style of goalkeeper, one with superior passing ability from the back to allow his team to play slightly higher up the field; essentially a goalkeeper-sweeper who doubles as another outfield player.
Donnarumma made several blunders passing the ball out during his four seasons with PSG, and this was reportedly a key factor in Luis Enrique’s decision to buy Chevalier from Lille for around 40 million euros ($47 million).
However, when he was under pressure on Monday late in the game against Marseille, Chevalier’s hurried pass almost led to a second goal when a Marseille player closed him down.
When Donnarumma announced last month he was leaving PSG, he did not hold back his frustration. Even though he did not name names it seemed obvious who he blamed.
“Unfortunately, someone has decided that I can no longer be part of the group and contribute to the team’s success,” he posted on Instagram. “I am disappointed and disheartened.”
Donnarumma was praised in the British media for his performance at new club Manchester City after the 1-1 draw against Arsenal last Sunday. Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta detailed his impressive timing and his presence in the penalty area.


Nadal alerts about fake videos of him offering financial advice

Nadal alerts about fake videos of him offering financial advice
Updated 23 September 2025

Nadal alerts about fake videos of him offering financial advice

Nadal alerts about fake videos of him offering financial advice
  • “These were generated with artificial intelligence”
  • Nadal said it was “misleading advertising, completely unrelated” to him

MADRID: Rafael Nadal is warning about fake online videos of him offering financial advice, and the risks of artificial intelligence.
The retired tennis great said on Tuesday he has never endorsed any of the online videos or their messages.


“I want to share this message of caution — something unusual for my social media, but necessary,” he wrote on Linkedin. “In recent days, together with my team, we have detected fake videos circulating on some platforms. These were generated with artificial intelligence, showing a figure that imitates my image and my voice. In those videos, I am falsely attributed with investment advice or proposals that in no case come from me.”
Nadal said it was “misleading advertising, completely unrelated” to him.
He talked about society’s challenge of learning to distinguish between what is real and what is manipulated, and of “promoting an ethical and responsible use of technology.”
“Innovation is always positive when it serves people, but we must remain aware of its risks and act with critical thinking,” he said. “Artificial intelligence is a tool with enormous potential, capable of bringing extraordinary progress in education, medicine, sports, and communication. However, it can also be misused, creating false content that generates confusion and may deceive many people.”