蹤獲弝け

Saudi snooker prodigy hopes to one day be world champion

Special Saudi snooker prodigy hopes to one day be world champion
Abdullah Alqabani has ambitions to represent 蹤獲弝け internationally. (Supplied)
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Saudi snooker prodigy hopes to one day be world champion

Saudi snooker prodigy hopes to one day be world champion
  • Abdullah Alqabani participated in the Saudi Junior Championship as the youngest player in the tournament
  • Alqabani practices at the Ronnie OSullivan academy in Riyadh

JEDDAH: Snooker prodigy, Abdullah Alqabani, age 10, is hoping to make a name for himself in the sport and represent 蹤獲弝け internationally.

Alqabani on Tuesday took part in the Saudi Junior Championship, a part of the World Pool Championship making him the youngest player in the tournament.

Despite losing 4-7 in the first round of the Saudi Junior Championship to Romanian Hermeneanu Evan, the young Saudi remains hopeful about his future in snooker and aims to be the best snooker player in 蹤獲弝け.

Arab News spoke to him at the Green Halls, he said: I am so glad to be part of this international championship and seeing the best in the world competing here at home. It is a really great moment for me and my teammates because we learn from it. Just watching the best in the world performing here in 蹤獲弝け is something else.

Alqabani, who hails from Riyadh, practices and plays at the Ronnie OSullivan academy and recently has been shining on the junior snooker circuit in 蹤獲弝け and because of his skills, he was invited to join the Saudi national team.

蹤獲弝け is not a snooker nation but the sport is getting there and many players now are playing billiards and snooker ofcourse with the support of the Saudi Billiards and SnookerFederation, he said.

At the age of 8, he started playing American pool and moved to snooker as he got older, It all started with my father who used to take me to play with him in one of the clubs in Riyadh.

He continued: I am going to work hard to become the best player in 蹤獲弝け and with such events held in 蹤獲弝け, I think my generation can make it to the highest level but it takes time.

As one of the young snooker players all over the world who look up to the greatest player of all time, Ronnie OSullivan, often referred to as The Rocket, Alqabani said: My idol is Ronnie OSullivan and hope one day to be like him.


Power Slap returns to Abu Dhabi Showdown Week in October

Power Slap returns to Abu Dhabi Showdown Week in October
Updated 22 July 2025

Power Slap returns to Abu Dhabi Showdown Week in October

Power Slap returns to Abu Dhabi Showdown Week in October
  • Event will take place in the lead-up to UFC 321 at Etihad Arena
  • Dana White: PowerSlaphas had 13 straight sold-out events, and is now heading back to Abu Dhabi, one of the premier fight capitals in the world

ABU DHABI: Power Slap, the world slap fighting promotion, is set to return to the UAE on Friday, Oct. 24 at the Space 42 Arena as part of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, headlined by UFC 321.

Last year, Power Slap hosted its first international event, Power Slap 9: Dumpling vs Da Crazy Hawaiian, in the UAE capital. A sold-out crowd witnessed a showdown between two of the worlds best strikers, as former Power Slap super heavyweight champion, Da Crazy Hawaiian, defended his title against No. 1 ranked super heavyweight, Vasilii Dumpling Kamotskii, in a match that ended in a dramatic draw.

Power Slap 9 generated more than 700 million total views across social media platforms through promotional and event coverage content and drew global influencers with 1 billion-plus followers. This marked a big step in the sports international growth and highlighted the regions enthusiasm for combat sports.

Power Slap has had 13 straight sold-out events, and is now heading back to Abu Dhabi, one of the premier fight capitals in the world, said Power Slap founder Dana White. In just two years, Power Slap has exploded with nearly 30 million followers and close to 20 billion video views across our platforms. The Middle East is becoming a hotbed for Power Slap, and Im excited to bring it back.


Pakistan keep Bangladesh down to 133 in second T20I

Pakistan keep Bangladesh down to 133 in second T20I
Updated 22 July 2025

Pakistan keep Bangladesh down to 133 in second T20I

Pakistan keep Bangladesh down to 133 in second T20I
  • Batter Jaker Ali smashes five sixes to hit a 48-ball 55 for his third T20I fifty
  • Bangladesh lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first match

DHAKA: Pacers Salman Mirza and debutant Ahmed Daniyal grabbed two wickets apiece to restrict Bangladesh to 133 all out in the second Twenty20 international in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Mirza finished with 2-17 and Daniyal took 2-23 after Pakistan won the toss and sent Bangladesh into bat on another slow-paced pitch.

Jaker Ali hit a fiery 48-ball 55 for his third T20I fifty, smashing five sixes and a boundary before holing out off the final delivery of the 20th over.

Fast bowler Abbas Afridi also grabbed 2-37.

Bangladesh lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first match also at the same venue by seven wickets.

Bangladesh had lost four wickets by sixth over for 28 before Jaker and Mahedi Hasan revived the innings with a 53-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Mahedi scored a 25-ball 33 with two sixes and as many boundaries.


Pakistan wins toss and puts Bangladesh into bat in second T20

Pakistan wins toss and puts Bangladesh into bat in second T20
Updated 22 July 2025

Pakistan wins toss and puts Bangladesh into bat in second T20

Pakistan wins toss and puts Bangladesh into bat in second T20
  • Pakistan handed Ahmed Daniyal his international debut
  • The third and final match in the series is in Mirpur on Thursday

DHAKA: Pakistan cricket captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and put Bangladesh into bat in the second T20 on Tuesday.

Pakistan handed Ahmed Daniyal his international debut. He replaces leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed in the teams only change after it lost the first match by seven wickets.

Bangladesh made two changes with Naim Sheikh replacing opener Tanzid Hasan and paceman Shoriful Islam coming in for Taskin Ahmed.

The third and final match in the series is in Mirpur on Thursday.

Line-ups:
Bangladesh: Parvez Hossain Emon, Naim Sheikh, Litton Das (captain), Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal.


Qatar bids to host 2036 Olympic Games

Qatar bids to host 2036 Olympic Games
Updated 22 July 2025

Qatar bids to host 2036 Olympic Games

Qatar bids to host 2036 Olympic Games
  • One of the smallest and wealthiest states in the Gulf, Qatar had already hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup
  • Should it be chosen, Qatar would become the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to host the Olympic Games

DOHA: Doha is bidding to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, authorities said on Tuesday, as the wealthy Gulf state sets its sights on yet another major sport event to diversify its energy-reliant economy.

One of the smallest and wealthiest states in the Gulf, Qatar had already hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Should it be chosen, Qatar would become the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to host the Olympic Games, said Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.

The official bid submitted by the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games represents a new milestone in Qatars journey, he said in a statement shared on the official Qatar News Agency.

The bid builds on Qatars proven track record of successfully hosting major international sporting events, most notably the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Sheikh Mohammed added.

Amnesty International and other rights groups claimed thousands of migrant workers died in the lead-up to the 2022 tournament, though Doha has said only 37 workers on World Cup projects perished and only three in work-related accidents.

President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani said Doha had made sport a central pillar of our national strategy.

We currently have 95 percent of the required sports infrastructure in place to host the Games, and we have a comprehensive national plan to ensure 100 percent readiness of all facilities, he said.

Countries are no longer required to make their Olympic bids public.

The Games are meant to rotate continents every season. With the 2024, 2028, and 2032 editions set for Europe, North America, and Oceania, there are high chances the 2036 Olympic Games will be held in Asia or in Africa, which would be a first.

Choosing the next host of the games will be the first major project for the International Olympic Committees (IOC) new president Kirsty Coventry, who last month became the first woman to lead the body.


6th edition of IMMAF Youth World Championships kicks off in Al-Ain

6th edition of IMMAF Youth World Championships kicks off in Al-Ain
The sixth edition of the IMMAF Youth World Championships kicked off on Monday in Al-Ain
Updated 22 July 2025

6th edition of IMMAF Youth World Championships kicks off in Al-Ain

6th edition of IMMAF Youth World Championships kicks off in Al-Ain
  • Over 1,000 male and female athletes representing 60 countries will compete at the tournament, which runs until July 27

AL-AIN: The sixth edition of the IMMAF Youth World Championships on Monday got underway at ADNEC Centre Al-Ain and is set to feature a record participation of more than 1,000 male and female athletes representing 60 countries.

Organized by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation and hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, the championship runs until July 27. It is the first time that it has been hosted in Al-Ain.

For the first time since the championships inception, competitions in the Youth D category, for athletes aged 10 to 11, were held, with the UAE national team making an impressive start to the tournament.

Kerrith Brown, president of IMMAF, expressed pride in the ongoing partnership with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation. He noted that this edition is the largest since the championship began in 2019 and serves as an ideal platform for cultural exchange and for promoting positive values among youth worldwide.

He highlighted that the UAE has become a leading model for hosting international sporting events, supported by its ambitious vision, world-class infrastructure and commitment to empowering youth in the field of sports.

Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al-Dhaheri, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation and chairman of the MMA Committee, said: Hosting the championship in the Al-Ain Region for the first time reflects the international sporting communitys confidence in the UAEs organizational capabilities. It also highlights the countrys efforts in enhancing its sports infrastructure and expanding its hosting map to cover all emirates.

The inclusion of the Youth D category this year introduces a new dimension to the competition and aligns with a forward-thinking vision to support and nurture talent from a young age. This contributes to developing future champions, instilling a positive competitive spirit early on, and preparing a generation with the skills and mindset needed to represent the UAE on the global stage.

Kyle Wilson, coach of the US national team, commented: We are here with around 30 athletes. This isnt our first time in the UAE, as weve competed before in a championship held in Dubai. The level of organization at this event is exceptional. Everything runs smoothly and meets the highest standards, allowing athletes and coaches to focus fully on the matches. Weve trained hard in the lead-up and had a good performance today. Were looking forward to tomorrows bouts.