SAFF launches first edition of Regional Under-13 Championship in Taif

SAFF launches first edition of Regional Under-13 Championship in Taif
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The tournament is part of SAFF’s strategy to scout and develop over 4,000 young talents by 2025. (Supplied)
SAFF launches first edition of Regional Under-13 Championship in Taif
2 / 2
The tournament is part of SAFF’s strategy to scout and develop over 4,000 young talents by 2025. (Supplied)
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Updated 21 July 2024
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SAFF launches first edition of Regional Under-13 Championship in Taif

SAFF launches first edition of Regional Under-13 Championship in Taif
  • Top talents from academies across 14 cities, provinces, and regions are featuring in the tournament
  • The competition will provide valuable experience for young up-and-coming referees who have been selected from SAFF Referees’ Academy

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has launched the first edition of the Regional Under-13 Championship in Taif, running from July 18–30.

Currently in its third day, the 12-day tournament features 14 regional teams, showcasing top talents from academies across 14 cities, provinces, and regions.

The 14 regional teams competing in the championship are from Al-Ahsa, Jazan, Najran, Jouf, Hail, Al-Qassim, the Eastern Province, Riyadh, Jeddah, Asir, Madinah, Makkah, Hafar Al-Batin, and Tabuk.

SAFF’s Technical Director Nasser Larguet said: “The championship represents the result of the significant work supported by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, and the outcome is the creation of the Regional Under-13 League. Clear goals and strategic plans have been set to discover and support young talents.”

Additionally, the tournament will provide valuable experience for young up-and-coming referees, who have been selected from the SAFF Referees’ Academy, further contributing to the development of skilled officials in the sport.

Manuel Navarro, president of the SAFF Referees Committee, said: “The Regional Under-13 Championship is an opportunity to develop promising referees, especially since it will witness the participation of 32 young referees. The committee aims to increase their refereeing hours and enhance their experience.”

This tournament is a significant part of SAFF’s strategy to scout and develop over 4,000 young talents by 2025, supporting the growth and future of Saudi football.


Saudi football federation, World Football Summit unite to showcase football innovation at WFS Asia 2024 in Riyadh

Saudi football federation, World Football Summit unite to showcase football innovation at WFS Asia 2024 in Riyadh
Updated 12 November 2024
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Saudi football federation, World Football Summit unite to showcase football innovation at WFS Asia 2024 in Riyadh

Saudi football federation, World Football Summit unite to showcase football innovation at WFS Asia 2024 in Riyadh
  • Scheduled for Dec. 2-3 at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, the summit will mark an expansion on last year’s successful debut in Jeddah

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation and World Football Summit have announced a partnership for the 2024 edition of the event.

Scheduled for Dec. 2-3 at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, the summit will mark an expansion on last year’s successful debut in Jeddah, which brought together over 1,500 industry leaders.

This year’s edition will have an expected 2,000 delegates and will feature enhanced programming and networking opportunities, fostering strategic discussions and partnerships aimed at developing the region’s football industry, organizers said.

Ibrahim Alkassim, secretary-general of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, highlighted the event’s importance.

“Hosting WFS Asia in Riyadh underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing football not just nationally, but across the region. This event aligns perfectly with our Vision 2030 goals. We invite the entire football community to join us, learn from each other, and elevate the business surrounding the beautiful game,” he said.

The return of WFS Asia to Saudi Arabia reflects the region’s growing appetite for football as a key component of its economic and cultural development, Jan Alessie, co-founder and director of WFS, said.

“The overwhelming response to our first edition demonstrated the region’s appetite for a world-class football business event. Our return to Saudi Arabia underscores the nation’s emergence as a pivotal hub for football development and innovation,” he said.

Khalid Al-Khudair, CEO of SMC, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing SMC’s commitment to fostering football’s commercial growth: “We are proud at SMC to enhance commercial opportunities in the football industry, both locally and internationally, through strategic partnerships that contribute to the growth of sports marketing in the Kingdom.”

WFS Asia 2024 supports Vision 2030’s goal of boosting the sports sector’s contribution to 2.5-3 percent of Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product.

The 2024 edition of WFS Asia will align closely with Vision 2030’s objectives through a comprehensive agenda that focuses on key themes critical to the future of football in the Kingdom.

These themes include the integration of technology in football, innovations in fan engagement, and the development of sports tourism as a significant economic driver. Sustainability will also be a central topic, reflecting the global push toward environmentally conscious practices in sports.

Additionally, the growth of women’s football and the nurturing of youth development programs will be highlighted, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s dedication to inclusivity and long-term talent cultivation in the sport.


Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid

Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid
Updated 11 November 2024
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Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid

Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid
  • Brazilian superstar tours bid exhibition with Hammad Albalawi, the head of the bid unit, and describes it as ‘best project I’ve ever seen’
  • Exhibition showcases proposed host cities — Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Abha and NEOM — and features interactive displays of the planned 15 stadiums

RIYADH: Brazilian footballer Neymar on Monday expressed his full support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, and said that he believes it has the potential to be the best tournament yet.

After touring the Saudi 2034 bid exhibition with Hammad Albalawi, the head of the bid unit, Neymar described it as “the best project I’ve ever seen” for players and fans alike.

The exhibition showcases the proposed host cities — Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Abha and NEOM — and includes interactive displays of the 15 stadiums envisioned for the event.

Saudi Arabia is bidding to be the sole host of a 48-team World Cup tournament. It aims to leverage its geographic advantage, given that 60 percent of the world’s population live within an eight-hour flight of the Kingdom.

Neymar was particularly impressed by the focus of the Saudi bid on the needs of the players, saying: “They’re thinking about the players … making it easier to get from the game to the hotel and recover faster.”

The 32-year-old Brazilian, who has lived in Riyadh since signing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in August 2023, praised the passion for football in the Kingdom and the warm welcome he and his family received. Despite an injury that limited his playing time so far, he noted the enthusiastic support among local fans.

The rapid growth in the development of football in Saudi Arabia in recent years has included an expansion in the number of youth-training centers to 23, support for more than 300,000 boys and girls in school leagues, and an increase in the number of registered football coaches from 700 in 2019 to more than 4,000.

Neymar said he believes this investment in the future of Saudi football will pay off, adding: “They will definitely be more competitive in 2034.”

He also acknowledged the influence he and other international soccer superstars who have relocated to the Kingdom, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, are having on the nation’s football scene.

“We want to influence all the kids and the youth to do the right things, and to bring joy to everyone with our football,” he said.

Saudi Arabia submitted its official bid for the 2034 World Cup, which has the theme “Growing. Together,” in July. A decision on the host is due to be made on Dec. 11 during a FIFA Congress.


Green Falcons arrive in Melbourne for World Cup Asian qualifier against Australia

Green Falcons arrive in Melbourne for World Cup Asian qualifier against Australia
Updated 09 November 2024
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Green Falcons arrive in Melbourne for World Cup Asian qualifier against Australia

Green Falcons arrive in Melbourne for World Cup Asian qualifier against Australia
  • Team begin preparations with closed training session on Sunday
  • Saudi ambassador to Australia welcomes players at Melbourne Airport

MELBOURNE: The Saudi national football team will train in Melbourne behind closed doors on Sunday in preparation for their 2026 World Cup Asian qualifier match against Australia next Thursday.
The Green Falcons arrived in Melbourne on Sunday morning and are scheduled to face off against Australia on Nov. 14 at AAMI Park as part of the fifth round of Asian qualifiers for the World Cup.
Saudi Ambassador to Australia Sultan bin Fahd bin Khuzaim welcomed the national team upon their arrival at Melbourne International Airport.
Yasser Al-Misehal, president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi Embassy for the warm welcome and the facilities provided to the delegation since their arrival.
The Green Falcons delegation left Riyadh on Saturday morning from King Khalid International Airport. They will begin their preparatory program on Sunday with a closed evening training session at 6 p.m. within Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium.


Al-Nassr’s 5-star show blows Al-Ain away

Al-Nassr’s 5-star show blows Al-Ain away
Updated 06 November 2024
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Al-Nassr’s 5-star show blows Al-Ain away

Al-Nassr’s 5-star show blows Al-Ain away
  • Cristiano Ronaldo helps side to easy victory

Al-Nassr defeated holders Al-Ain 5-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday to move into third place in the group and give Saudi Arabia the top three positions in the 12-team table.

With Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli winning on Monday to stay perfect on 12 points after four games, Al-Nassr are just two behind thanks to a devastating performance against the UAE’s powerhouse side.

The last time Al-Ain met Saudi Arabian opposition was just 15 days ago and fans were treated to a nine-goal thriller as Al-Hilal ran out 5-4 winners.

The last time they met Al-Nassr was at the quarter-final stage of last season’s competition in March when the UAE team triumphed on penalties in what was a painful evening for the fans in Riyadh.

It was a different story this time with Al-Nassr going ahead in the fifth minute with an impressive goal, though Al-Ain’s coach Hernan Crespo was left asking questions of his defenders.

Mohamed Simakan has impressed since joining from RB Leipzig, but there seemed to be little danger when the center-back picked up the ball inside his own half. The French defender was allowed to cross the halfway line, though, and with the opposition falling back, a short pass found Talisca who made space for the shot with his first touch and then fired home with his second.

Cristiano Ronaldo fired just wide from a similar position at the edge of the area after 10 minutes, but given Al-Ain’s scoring capabilities there was a feeling that more was needed.

Al-Nassr kept pushing and probing and Ronaldo had a goalbound shot blocked before the five-time Ballon d’Or winner got the all-important second with one of his less spectacular strikes. Khalid Eisa failed to hold on to a long-range effort from Sadio Mane and there was Ronaldo to slot it home from close range.

It was just the cushion that the Riyadh club wanted but they kept coming forward and, soon after, moved further ahead.

Angelo broke into the left side of the area after 37 minutes and his low cross was deflected off the leg of Fabio Cardoso to loop over Eisa and into the net.

The home fans were in dreamland and it could have been even better three minutes before the break had Eisa not got a foot to a Talisca shot that seemed goalbound.

There was just a hint of danger from Soufiane Rahimi in added time to remind Al-Nassr that the Moroccan had scored 13 in the last tournament and four already this time around, but at the break it was looking very good indeed as Al-Nassr had probably produced their best 45 minutes of the season.

They also started brightly after the restart, but after 10 minutes Al-Ain were on the scoresheet and back in the game with a goal from nowhere. Park Yong-woo’s powerful low shot from outside the area bounced off the post but then hit the diving Bento and rebounded into the goal.

A few nerves resulted and Bento was the busier of the two goalkeepers, although, at the other end, Aymeric Laporte headed over from a corner.

Al-Ain went closer when, with 13 minutes remaining, Rahimi rolled the ball across the face of goal for Abdoul Traore to net, but he somehow miscontrolled and the massive chance went begging.

It was his side’s last chance as Wesley sealed victory with nine minutes remaining, the Brazilian curling the ball home from inside the area.

There was no coming back from that, and there was even time for Talisca to grab his second and his team’s fifth as he lifted the ball smartly over Eisa to end a perfect evening for Al-Nassr and a perfect round of games for Saudi Arabia.


NEOM Sports Club appoint Alex Leitao as CEO

NEOM Sports Club appoint Alex Leitao as CEO
Updated 04 November 2024
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NEOM Sports Club appoint Alex Leitao as CEO

NEOM Sports Club appoint Alex Leitao as CEO
  • New boss says he is delighted to join club at ‘significant phase’ in Kingdom’s sporting evolution
  • Team currently tops Saudi First Division

NEOM: NEOM Sports Club has appointed Alex Leitao as their new CEO, the club said on Monday.

The former boss of Brazil’s Club Athletico Paranaense and Major League Soccer’s Orlando City joins NEOM as they continue to progress through the ranks of Saudi football.

The club said Leitao would focus on driving the team’s performance, development and brand in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Moaath Alohali, who was the club’s CEO since its acquisition by NEOM in June last year, will transition to an advisory role. Under his leadership, the club secured the services of several top players and coaching staff and won the Second Division title.

Alohali also established a women’s team, which is currently seeking promotion to the Women’s Premier League, and a youth development program to nurture the next generation of Saudi players.

Club Chairman Mishari Al-Mutairi said: “As part of our development efforts to elevate the club’s sporting standards, we are pleased to welcome Alex Leitao as the club’s CEO and to benefit from his extensive experience in leading global clubs.

“The performance achieved by the club thus far reflects our commitment to attracting the best talents and coaches to NEOM, aligning with our goals of reaching the highest levels. We are currently looking forward to new seasons filled with success.”

Leitao said he was delighted to be a part of Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving sporting landscape.

“As we enter a significant phase with the Kingdom’s transformation into a global sports hub, I am delighted to join a sports club to contribute to achieving its sporting and social objectives, adding further distinction to its national journey.

“The rapid growth of NEOM Sports Club, with a focus on professional football as the club’s core sport, is a key factor that enables us to compete, support promising talents, and enhance community engagement in this pioneering region.”

NEOM Sports Club are currently top of the First Division, the second tier of Saudi football.