Conflict forces Palestinian team Jabal Al Mukaber to withdraw from AFC Cup

Conflict forces Palestinian team Jabal Al Mukaber to withdraw from AFC Cup
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Updated 09 December 2023
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Conflict forces Palestinian team Jabal Al Mukaber to withdraw from AFC Cup

Conflict forces Palestinian team Jabal Al Mukaber to withdraw from AFC Cup
  • The withdrawal means all of Jabal Al Mukaber’s results will be canceled and considered null and avoid

Palestinian club Jabal Al Mukaber have withdrawn from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup as a result of the Israel-Gaza conflict, the region’s governing body has announced.
A statement on the AFC’s official website said the Palestine Football Association had informed the Kuala Lumpur-based organization of Jabal Al Mukaber’s decision to pull out of the continent’s second-tier club competition.
“The AFC notes the club’s withdrawal with regret and the matter has now been referred to the AFC Competitions Committee for relevant further action, including the recognition of force majeure,” the confederation said.
Jabal Al Mukaber had been drawn in Group A of the competition and had won their opening game 1-0 against Syria’s Al-Futuwa before losing 4-0 to Al-Nahda from Oman prior to the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
The withdrawal means all of Jabal Al Mukaber’s results will be canceled and considered null and avoid, in accordance with AFC tournament regulations.
The move is the latest to affect Palestinian teams as a result of the conflict.
The Palestinian national team’s World Cup qualifier against Australia last month, which was due to be played in the West Bank, was moved to Kuwait due to security concerns.


Refugee Paralympian Al Hussein brings ‘message of hope’

Refugee Paralympian Al Hussein brings ‘message of hope’
Updated 02 September 2024
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Refugee Paralympian Al Hussein brings ‘message of hope’

Refugee Paralympian Al Hussein brings ‘message of hope’
  • Born in Syria, Al Hussein fled the civil war in his homeland, first seeking refuge in Turkiye before settling in Greece in 2014
  • The future Paralympian was injured during the war and lost his right foot as well as the joint of his left foot in 2012

PARIS: Refugee Paralympic Team triathlete Ibrahim Al Hussein said Monday he had come to “give a message of hope” after taking part in his third Paralympic Games.
Born in Syria, Al Hussein fled the civil war in his homeland, first seeking refuge in Turkiye before settling in Greece in 2014.
But prior to his managing to flee Syria, the future Paralympian was injured during the war and lost his right foot as well as the joint of his left foot in 2012.
“I came to give a message to everyone, a message of hope,” said Al Hussein after completing his race at the Paris Paralympics.
“Everyone, from where we are in the world, is going through a difficult time. Everyone can reach their destination.
“With serious work, with hard work, everyone can achieve their goal. It’s not just the athletes. Everyone can achieve their goal.”
Al Hussein overcame the hardships of war, injury and displacement to participate in para-swimming at Rio 2016 and then at the Tokyo Games three years ago.
Now in his third Paralympics, the 35-year-old competed in the triathlon, finishing sixth in the men’s PTS3 race — the category for athletes with significant disabilities.
“I am very happy. It was a very good result for me.It was my goal to be in the top six,” said Al Hussein after recording a time of 1hr 12min 34sec.
“I want to thank the International Paralympic Committee for giving me this opportunity,” he added.
“And I want to thank the UN Refugee Agency for believing in me.”


Rain halts Bangladesh victory bid after Hasan, Nahid demolish Pakistan

Rain halts Bangladesh victory bid after Hasan, Nahid demolish Pakistan
Updated 02 September 2024
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Rain halts Bangladesh victory bid after Hasan, Nahid demolish Pakistan

Rain halts Bangladesh victory bid after Hasan, Nahid demolish Pakistan
  • Hasan took 5-43 while Nahid added 4-44, both career-best figures, in dismissing Pakistan for 172 in second innings
  • Openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam raced to 42 without loss, with Zakir hitting two sixes and two boundaries

RAWALPINDI: Pacemen Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana shared nine wickets on Monday to set Bangladesh on course for victory over Pakistan before rain stopped play on the fourth day of the second Test.
Hasan took 5-43 while Nahid added 4-44 — both career-best figures — in dismissing Pakistan for 172 in their second innings and giving the visitors a target of 185 to secure a 2-0 series win in Rawalpindi.
Openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam raced to 42 without loss — with Zakir hitting two sixes and two boundaries — before rain clouds gathered and bad light suspended play one over after the tea break.
Bangladesh lead the two-match series 1-0 after a surprise win in Rawalpindi last month, their first in 14 tests against Pakistan.
They have only won two series away from home — against the West Indies in 2009 and Zimbabwe in 2021 — and need another 143 runs on the final day on Tuesday to secure victory.
Pakistan had been 117-6 at lunch, with Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha fighting to save the hosts’ blushes before Hasan ended their 55-run stand.
He had Rizwan caught behind for 43 and had Mohammad Ali caught in the slips on the next ball for a golden duck to leave Pakistan teetering on 136-8.
Salman, who top-scored with 47, added 27 for the last wicket with Mir Hamza before Hasan wrapped up the innings with his fifth wicket, getting Hamza caught in the slip.
The morning session belonged to 21-year-old Nahid, who dismissed Shan Masood (28), Babar Azam (11) and Saud Shakeel (two) in a spell of express bowling.
The rain-affected Test saw Friday’s first day’s play washed out and then a remarkable fightback by Bangladesh on Sunday.
The visitors were 26-6 in reply to Pakistan’s first innings 274 before Liton Das (138) put together a seventh-wicket partnership of 165 with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (78) that enabled Bangladesh to reach 262.
Pakistan took their overnight score of 9-2 to 47-2 in 10 overs on Monday before Bangladesh broke through with a spell of three wickets for 18 runs.
Saim Ayub fell for 20 to a brilliant catch by Najmul Hossain at mid-off as the opener failed to keep down a drive off fast bowler Taskin Ahmed.
Nahid then had Pakistan skipper Masood caught behind by Liton off a wild shot before getting the prized wicket of Azam, caught at slip off a sharp delivery in his next over.
Nahid grabbed his third by dismissing Shakeel and went to lunch with figures of 3-22 off five overs.


Fleetwood, Scott and Rose confirmed for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Fleetwood, Scott and Rose confirmed for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Updated 02 September 2024
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Fleetwood, Scott and Rose confirmed for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Fleetwood, Scott and Rose confirmed for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
  • The fourth Rolex Series event of the season assumes a new position on the tour’s global schedule as part of season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs

ABU DHABI: Olympic silver medalist Tommy Fleetwood will bid for further success on the 2024 Race to Dubai when he tees it up at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links from Nov. 7-10.

He will be joined in Abu Dhabi by major champions and former world No.1s Adam Scott and Justin Rose, who have also qualified for the penultimate event of the 2024 season.

The fourth Rolex Series event of the season, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, assumes a new position on the tour’s global schedule as part of the season-ending “DP World Tour Play-Offs.”

Dubai resident Fleetwood is no stranger to success in the United Arab Emirates, having claimed three of his seven DP World Tour victories to date in the country. A two-time winner of the Abu Dhabi Championship in 2017 and 2018, he also won the season-long Race to Dubai in 2017 and earlier this year took the title at the inaugural Dubai Invitational.

Last month, Fleetwood claimed a silver medal for Great Britain at the Paris Olympics, sharing the podium with World No.1 Scottie Scheffler and major winner Hideki Matsuyama at Le Golf National, the same venue where he made his Ryder Cup debut in 2018.

“I’m very proud to be a two-time winner of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship,” said the Ryder Cup star. “It’s an iconic trophy and an iconic tournament in this part of the world. It’s really exciting that we now have these two events back-to-back at the end of the season, and it’ll be nice to finish the season so close to home now that I’m based in the UAE.”

Forming part of the new DP World Tour Play-Offs, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship will welcome the top 70 available players from the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex at the conclusion of the Genesis Korea Championship. The top 50 players on the rankings at the end of the week will then advance to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Scott, who moved up to second on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex after his runner-up finish at the Genesis Scottish Open in July, is seeking a career-high finish on the season-long standings, with his best result being seventh in 2002.

The former world No.1 and 2013 Masters champion is in excellent form, also finishing runner-up at the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship two weeks ago, and is set to make his 11th appearance for the International side at the President’s Cup later this month.

The Australian has had a run of strong performances in the UAE in recent years, recording four consecutive top 10 finishes in his most recent starts in the country.

“The UAE is always a place I’ve enjoyed playing golf in and I’m excited to compete in this year’s Play-Offs,” said Scott. “I’ve had some good performances there over the last few seasons and I’d love to finish the season strong in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.”

Rose, who recorded his best finish in a Major Championship in six years with a runner-up result at The 152nd Open last month, will be making his first appearance at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship since 2021.

The gold medal winner at the 2016 Rio Olympics was runner-up on his first appearance in 2013 and he is hoping to capture an elusive title in the UAE.

The Englishman was recently named captain of the Great Britain & Ireland side for the 2025 Team Cup in Abu Dhabi in January, with his squad being finalized at the conclusion of this year’s Race to Dubai.

“I’m looking forward to finishing my season in the UAE,” said Rose, who won the 2013 US Open. “The Play-Offs will certainly add an exciting new dynamic to the end of the year and I’m excited to compete in Abu Dhabi again.

“I’ve been fortunate to have achieved a lot in my career, but a win in the United Arab Emirates has escaped me thus far. I’d love nothing more than to change that this year and finish the season on a high note, before returning to Abu Dhabi for the Team Cup in January.”


Al-Qemzi wins Grand Prix of Italy to regain lead in title race

Al-Qemzi wins Grand Prix of Italy to regain lead in title race
Updated 02 September 2024
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Al-Qemzi wins Grand Prix of Italy to regain lead in title race

Al-Qemzi wins Grand Prix of Italy to regain lead in title race
  • World champion scores second victory of the season as Al-Mansoori makes another 1-2 triumph for Team Abu Dhabi

SAN NAZZARO: Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Qemzi regained the lead in the 2024 UIM F2 World Championship for a commanding victory in the Grand Prix of Italy.

The four-time F2 world champion led from start to finish to secure his second Grand Prix success of the season ahead of teammate Mansoor Al-Mansoori in a carbon copy of their dominant 1-2 success in Norway last month.

Al-Qemzi now has an eight-point championship lead over Sweden’s Mathilda Wiberg, who took the third podium place in San Nazzaro, with Lithuania’s Edgaras Riabko another point away after his fifth-place finish today.

Aiming to become the first driver to clinch the F2 title five times, the Emirati driver is in a powerful position to grab that place in the record books ahead of the back-to-back final two race weekends in Portugal later this month.

Meanwhile, Al-Mansoori has given himself the chance to secure a place in the championship’s final top three after a composed display today, which lifted him into fourth place in the standings.

After edging out his Abu Dhabi teammate to take pole position yesterday, Al-Qemzi once again looked in complete control as he secured his second successive Grand Prix success in San Nazzaro.

He had to be patient, with the race being stopped on three occasions and yellow flags coming out twice when turn buoys came loose, and another time when Norway’s Frode Sundsdal crashed and went out.

But the delays had no effect on Al-Qemzi, who went on to finish the job in style, underlining the quality that could make him the most successful driver in the championship’s history by overhauling the four titles of Sweden’s Erik Stark.

He will not be allowed to relax, however, with Wiberg and Riabko both capable of a big result in Peso da Regua on Sept. 16 to set up a tense climax to the championship in Vila Velha de Rodao a week later.


MOD UAE crowned champions at AJP Tour Dubai International Jiu-Jitsu Championship

MOD UAE crowned champions at AJP Tour Dubai International Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Updated 02 September 2024
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MOD UAE crowned champions at AJP Tour Dubai International Jiu-Jitsu Championship

MOD UAE crowned champions at AJP Tour Dubai International Jiu-Jitsu Championship
  • Commando Group finish second, while Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club took third

DUBAI: MOD UAE topped the medal standings when the AJP Tour Dubai International Jiu-Jitsu Championship wrapped up at Shabab Al-Ahli Club on Sunday.

On the final day of the event, which featured amateur and professional divisions, Commando Group secured second place, while Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club took third.

This year’s championship attracted participants from 74 clubs and academies from around the world, up from 64 last year. On the final day alone, 310 male and female athletes competed.

Youssef Abdullah Al-Batran, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “This round of the AJP Tour Dubai International Jiu-Jitsu Championship has been a great success. The event attracted some of the top international jiu-jitsu stars with black, brown, and purple belts, who delivered outstanding performances that captivated the audience. It also provided an excellent platform for our young talents in the youth and kids categories to showcase their skills, in line with the federation’s focus on developing the next generation of athletes.”

Al-Batran said the championship improved the standards of local athletes by giving them the chance to compete against seasoned competitors.

“The UAE athletes performed exceptionally well throughout the championship, earning several gold medals across various categories,” he said. “I would also like to commend the clubs and academies across the country for their strong participation and support.”

Meanwhile, Ali Omar Al Balushi, director of sports events at Dubai Sports Council, said: “We are pleased to be part of the sixth edition of the AJP Tour Dubai International Jiu-Jitsu Championship. This event underscores the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s commendable efforts in organising world-class local, continental, and international events, featuring top international athletes as well as Emirati champions who have won international medals.

“Dubai Sports Council values our collaboration with the federation, which supports athletes across all age and weight categories. Today, we see many Emirati champions competing in international championships and achieving top positions, thanks to the high standards of organisation. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation to host more championships in Dubai in the future.”

Paulinho Barauna, coach of Commando Group, said: “Our athletes have performed admirably. We always aim for first place, and our experienced coaching team plays a key role in that. Regular competition builds confidence and motivates the team. I am proud of our athletes who won medals today. As we prepare for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, these competitions help us identify areas for improvement. We’re progressing every day.”