The Lebanese national football team lost the final match of the friendly Merdeka Cup, losing to the host country, Malaysia, 0-1 this afternoon. Lebanon had won the semi-finals over Tajikistan 1-0. Source: National news agency - Lebanon
Sixty Players to Compete in Eastern Region Field Hockey Championship on September 5-6
Six teams, comprising a total of 60 players, are set to compete in the Eastern Region's upcoming two-day field hockey championship, starting Thursday at the Sports for All Dome in Dammam, under the auspices of the Saudi Hockey Federation. The federation has shown its dedication to hosting such competitive tournaments with the objective of expanding the reach of field hockey competitions across different regions of the Kingdom, fostering a culture of spirited competition within the sport. These tournaments align with the unwavering support granted by the Kingdom's leadership to sports in the country and the development enjoyed by this sector, in light of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The upcoming championship is taking place following the federation's successful organization of the Al-Bahah Region hockey championship and the second women's hockey championship in August, where Najd Falcons and Riyadh Najd, respectively, emerged as champions. Source: Saudi Press Agency
Round of 16 Players Determined at Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters
The fifth round of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters championship, played in a best-of-nine frames format, concluded Tuesday, featuring 16 players who qualified through previous rounds and an additional 16 players with the highest rankings. Among the participants were British snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan, and his compatriot Judd Trump, the world's top-ranked player. The competition kicked off with eight matches that saw intense rivalry among the participants. This was evident in the first match between Judd Trump and China's Wu Yize, where Wu took an early lead with four consecutive frames. However, the Englishman managed to turn the tide, delivering an impressive performance to win five consecutive frames and secure his place in the round of 16. China's Xiao Guodong surprised by defeating the world's second-ranked player, Northern Ireland's Mark Allen, with a 5-1 victory. Similarly, Scotland's Scott Donaldson triumphed over England's Barry Hawkins with the same score. Meanwhile, England's Shaun Murphy secured a convincing 5-2 win against China's Yuan Sijun, and Gary Wilson defeated fellow Englishman David Gilbert with the same 5-2 result. The scoreline of 5-3 appeared in three matches: first, Australian Neil Robertson defeated Englishman Mark Selby, followed by Englishman Jack Lisowski overcoming Welshman Jak Jones. The score also marked the end of the first part of the competition, where Englishmen Ali Carter and Elliot Slessor faced off, with Slessor emerging victorious. The second part of the competition began with a match featuring legend O'Sullivan against Chinese player Lei Peifan. The Englishman delivered an impressive performance, defeating his opponent 5-1 to advance to the next round. He will next face Chinese player Zhang Anda. Moreover, current World Champion Kyren Wilson secured the final qualification spot by defeating China's Liu Hongyu 5-3. The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters continues on Wednesday, with the Round of 16 matches starting at 2:00 PM. Source: Saudi Press Agency
Saudi Leadership Drives Women’s Participation in Camel Racing
Head of the Taif History Center Dr. Latifa bint Mutlaq Al-Adwani highlighted in a press release issued yesterday Saudi women's participation in camel racing, which is an important step toward greater involvement in various other sports. She attributed this achievement to the unwavering support of the Kingdom's leadership for empowering Saudi women in all fields. Marking the Crown Prince Camel Festival, Al-Adwani highlighted the Kingdom's longstanding commitment to camel racing, dating back to the era of the founder, King Abdulaziz. The evolution of camel races from local and regional events to international competitions underscores the sport's profound cultural significance in Saudi society. Al-Adwani said that camels have held a special place in Saudi popular heritage since pre-Islamic times. They played a vital role in Arab life, with specialized competitions held in major markets, like "Okaz", held to showcase camel endurance and determination. These competitions were a symbol of strength, chivalry, and courage among pre-Islamic Arabs. Appreciation for camels is evident in inscriptions and rock drawings found throughout the Kingdom, which highlight the camel's cultural and social importance in Arab society. Al-Adwani also said that camels have strengthened cultural heritage by being linked to authentic traditional values. Preserving and developing these values is crucial for maintaining a strong social identity, demonstrating loyalty, and supporting future aspirations. Source: Saudi Press Agency
Saudi Athletes Poised for Paris Paralympic Challenges Wednesday
Saudi Arabian athletes Abdulrahman Al-Qurashi, Ahmed Sharbatly, and Adnan Noor are primed for action as they prepare to take on their respective challenges in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Wednesday. Al-Qurashi will be hitting the Men's 100m T53 wheelchair racetrack at Stade de France, competing against a cohort of vigorous athletes in heat 1. Equestrian star Ahmed Sharbatly is set to showcase his skills in the Grade V individual event at the historic Ch Steau de Versailles, facing off against a field of 16 male and female riders. Only the top 8 equestrians will progress to the final showdown in the Individual Freestyle Event scheduled for Saturday. In the realm of powerlifting, Noor will be a force to be reckoned with in the Men's up to 49kg weightlifting category, where he will compete with eight other lifters. Source: Saudi Press Agency
Madinah Region Receives Torch of Saudi Games 2024
On behalf of Governor of the Madinah Region Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Principality of Madinah Region received the torch for the third edition of the Saudi Games 2024. The torch is a part of the promotional tour for the Kingdom's largest national sports event. The event took place at the Islamic University of Madinah and was attended by students and athletes. Starting from Wadi Al-Aqiq, the torch traveled through various regional locations, including the university, and concluded its journey at the As Safiyyah Museum and Park. This year's torch tour aims to explore key cultural, historical, and tourist sites, covering 47 famous locations across the Kingdom. Accompanied by notable champions and influencers recognized for their significant contributions and accomplishments, local communities are joining in the festivities of the Kingdom's most prominent national sports event. Source: Saudi Press Agency