XSET, KSG and Wolves Esports enter EWC standings as Team Falcons lead

XSET, KSG and Wolves Esports enter EWC standings as Team Falcons lead
Wolves Esports enter Esports World Cup Club Championship standings after win in Teamfight Tactics. (Supplied)
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Updated 13 August 2024
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XSET, KSG and Wolves Esports enter EWC standings as Team Falcons lead

XSET, KSG and Wolves Esports enter EWC standings as Team Falcons lead
  • The seventh week of the competition starts on Wednesday with StarCraft II, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and EA Sports FC 24 begin on Thursday

RIYADH: Victories for XSET in Fortnite, Xiao Hai for KSG in Street Fighter 6, and Wolves Esports in Teamfight Tactics saw each of the new champions enter the Esports World Cup Club Championship standings.

The three teams earned 1,000 points each to enter in joint sixth place. Saudi Arabia’s Team Falcons — who have 4,160 points — retain their lead at the top with just two weeks of competition remaining.

Korean powerhouses T1, defeated 3-1 in the Teamfight Tactics final by their Chinese opponents, are in second spot after picking up 600 runners-up points to add to the 1,000 from their League of Legends triumph. Team Liquid, based in the Netherlands, are third on 1,485 points.

The world’s largest gaming and esports festival, which has a record-breaking industry prize pool of $60m, saw a total of $2.5 million presented to competitors at Boulevard Riyadh City during the sixth week of competition.

Street Fighter 6, held at the Qiddiyah Arena within the SEF Arena, saw Chinese player Xiao Hai weep with joy as he accepted the trophy and $300,000 from the tournament’s $1m prize fund.

In an all-American Fortnite final at the Amazon Arena, XSET beat Exceed 4-2 to lift the top prize of $400,000. Elsewhere, Wolves Esports claimed the main prize of $200,000 from the Teamfight Tactics $500,000 pool at the stc Arena.

The seventh week of EWC competition begins on Wednesday with StarCraft II. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and EA Sports FC 24 start on Thursday.


Bayern’s Neuer sent off for first time in 866-game career

Bayern’s Neuer sent off for first time in 866-game career
Updated 45 sec ago
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Bayern’s Neuer sent off for first time in 866-game career

Bayern’s Neuer sent off for first time in 866-game career
MUNICH: Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was sent off for the first time in his 866-match career on Tuesday, seeing a straight red for a last-man foul on Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong.
The 38-year-old rushed out of the box in typical fashion 18 minutes in to the German Cup last 16 clash, taking out an advancing Frimpong.
Neuer was shown straight red, bringing Israel ‘keeper Daniel Peretz on for his Bayern debut, and was seen apologizing to coach Vincent Kompany after leaving the field.
Bayern’s captain has received a yellow card 23 times during his career. All have come at club level, with the 2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper never cautioned during his 124-game international career.
The match, between the 20-time winners and current holders Leverkusen was particularly tense, with referee Harm Osmers handing out three yellow cards in addition to Neuer’s red in the opening 22 minutes.
Despite playing for Israel at international level, Tuesday’s match was Peretz’s first game for Bayern, having joined the club in the summer of 2023.

Saudi Kickboxing Federation participates in International Day of Persons with Disabilities event

Saudi Kickboxing Federation participates in International Day of Persons with Disabilities event
Updated 03 December 2024
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Saudi Kickboxing Federation participates in International Day of Persons with Disabilities event

Saudi Kickboxing Federation participates in International Day of Persons with Disabilities event
  • SKF President Ahmed Al-Towayan expressed delight at Prince Sultan’s visit
  • “Our participation in this event is part of activating the ‘Qadir’ initiative launched by the federation earlier this year,” he said

RIYADH: The Saudi Kickboxing Federation participated on Tuesday in the International Day of Persons with Disabilities event, organized by the Disabled Children’s Association in collaboration with the King Salman Center for Disability Research.
Prince Sultan bin Salman Al-Saud, chairman of the board of trustees of the center, visited the federation’s booth and met several athletes and coaches, a media statement said.
SKF President Ahmed Al-Towayan expressed his delight at Prince Sultan’s visit and his support for activities and events related to persons with disabilities.
“Our participation in this event is part of activating the ‘Qadir’ initiative launched by the federation earlier this year,” Al-Towayan said.
The initiative aimed to provide sports activities for persons with disabilities, develop their skills in kickboxing, and empower Paralympic athletes to practice these sports, he added.
“Qadir initiative aims to offer sporting opportunities to anyone facing difficulties in participating in sports, whether due to a disability or limited financial resources,” Al-Towayan said.


Riyadh to host World Anti-Doping Agency meetings

Riyadh to host World Anti-Doping Agency meetings
Updated 03 December 2024
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Riyadh to host World Anti-Doping Agency meetings

Riyadh to host World Anti-Doping Agency meetings
  • Event will discuss international strategies to combat doping
  • Prominent sporting figures, experts set to attend

RIYADH: Riyadh will host World Anti-Doping Agency meetings on Dec. 4-5 to support integrity in sport.
The agency’s foundation board and executive committee will meet in the Saudi capital to discuss updates on policies and international strategies to combat doping, a media statement said on Tuesday.
The two-day event will be attended by prominent sports figures and international experts.
Saudi Arabia has previously hosted several anti-doping events, including conferences and workshops aimed at fostering international cooperation as well as promoting the Kingdom as a global sports hub.
WADA’s foundation board consists of 42 members, 21 of whom are ministers representing national governments, while another 21 are members of the International Olympic Committee and presidents of international federations representing the Olympic Movement.
The agency was established in 1999 as a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the integrity of sports by combating doping.
It collaborates with international sports organizations, government bodies and national authorities to ensure a doping-free sports environment.


Golfers want to ‘make Saudi proud’ at major Riyadh tournament

Golfers want to ‘make Saudi proud’ at major Riyadh tournament
Updated 03 December 2024
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Golfers want to ‘make Saudi proud’ at major Riyadh tournament

Golfers want to ‘make Saudi proud’ at major Riyadh tournament
  • Othman Al-Mulla: We all have the same goal: To represent Saudi Arabia in international competitions and see how good we can be
  • Saudi Golf Federation is backing Saudi stars like Al-Mulla, while growing the love of the game with school programs and free classes for women

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s golfers spoke about their ambition to make their country proud and inspire young players during a press conference on Tuesday ahead of the PIF Saudi International in Riyadh.

Othman Al-Mulla, the Kingdom’s first professional golfer, will be joined by Faisal Salhab, Saud Al-Sharif, and Khalid Walid Attieh, marking an unprecedented lineup of Saudi golfers taking on international stars including Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith.

Al-Mulla told the press at Riyadh Golf Club: “I’ve been representing Saudi for over 20 years, and even five years after I turned professional, I’m still pinching myself at the thought of us competing against the best players in the world in Saudi Arabia (for) one of the biggest prizes.”

Joined by Salhab and Shergo Al-Kurdi, the UK-born Golf Saudi ambassador, Al-Mulla added: “We all have the same goal: To represent Saudi Arabia in international competitions and see how good we can be. We want to be Asian champions, we want to be world champions and win events and make Saudi proud.”

Saudi Arabia has made huge inroads into the world of golf in recent years, signing a host of top players to its LIV Golf tour, and engaging in discussions over a potential merger with the PGA Tour.

On a grassroots level, the Saudi Golf Federation is backing Saudi stars like Al-Mulla, while growing the love of the game with school programs and free classes for women.

Salhab said: “What Golf Saudi is doing and what the Saudi Golf Federation is doing for both juniors and women, like opening doors for them and creating more access for them to come into the sport, have more places to play, see great players, it’s very new for us but they’ve done a great job.”

Al-Mulla highlighted the importance of the increasing number of Saudi players, and added: “We have three main objectives: We need to increase awareness, give access and opportunities, and then nurture those opportunities for people that are interested in the game.”

The tournament, which is in its sixth edition, will run from Dec. 4-7 in Riyadh for the first time following five editions at the King Abdullah Economic City.

It offers a total prize pool of $5 million and has moved this year into the coveted season-ending position for both the Asian Tour and The International Series.

Al-Mulla said: “To see how far we’ve come in such a short period of time is something that we can all be proud of as Saudis, and hopefully we can be a beacon to grow the game.”


F1 surges in popularity in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East new data reveals

F1 surges in popularity in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East new data reveals
Updated 03 December 2024
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F1 surges in popularity in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East new data reveals

F1 surges in popularity in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East new data reveals
  • 11 percent rise in female interest and 10 percent uptick among male fans in the Kingdom
  • Globally, F1’s fanbase has grown by 5.7 percent since 2021

LONDON: Formula 1 has experienced a surge in popularity, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, according to a new study released on Tuesday by Nielsen Sports.

With a global fanbase now exceeding 750 million, the sport has gained 50 million fans since 2021, fueled by rising interest in the Middle East region as well as among young female fans, the report showed.

The study revealed Saudi Arabia as one of the sport’s fastest-growing markets, with an 11 percent increase in fans compared to the 2023 season.

The surge in popularity also spans demographics, with an 11 percent rise in female interest and a 10 percent uptick among male fans. Among older Saudi audiences, enthusiasm has soared, with 22 percent more fans aged 50-69 following the championship than in the previous season.

The UAE also saw a significant boost, with fan interest rising by 6 percent. Together, these countries solidify the Middle East as a critical growth region for Formula 1 in 2024, the Nielsen report concluded.

Globally, F1’s fanbase has grown by 5.7 percent since 2021, with women now making up 41 percent of all fans. Young women aged 16-24 represented the fastest-growing demographic, reflecting the sport’s evolving accessibility and appeal.

Jon Stainer, global general manager at Nielsen Sports, attributed this success to Formula 1’s innovative fan engagement strategies.

“Formula 1 is a perfect example of a rights owner innovating its relationship with fans,” he said.

“Growth of interest, especially among women and newer markets like Saudi Arabia, can be attributed largely to a shift in how the teams and drivers are profiled today, and the access they are affording global audiences.

“New sponsorship categories are opening up. We’re seeing a significant shift in the brands engaging in the sport, attracted to this changing fan demographic,” he added.

Netflix’s acclaimed docuseries, “Drive to Survive,” has played a pivotal role, with 35 percent of viewers of the show expressing intent to watch more races. Another quarter of surveyed fans credited the series with their newfound passion for the sport.

F1’s commercial prospects have also increased, with sponsorship deals seeing a 56 percent rise in value since 2019.

The average sponsorship deal now stands at $5.08 million, up from $2.87 million from pre-pandemic levels. The diversification of sponsors — which range from luxury brands such as LVMH to IT giants such as HP and Dropbox — has cemented the championship’s status as a commercial powerhouse, the Nielsen report said.

While the Middle East leads the charge of new fans, the series continues to thrive in traditional strongholds, especially in Europe. Interest in the UK rose by 2.3 percent, while Germany saw a 4.5 percent uptick.