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Saudi Arabia Hosts Afro-Arab Esports League 2023

The competitions of the Afro-Arab Esports League kicked off on Saturday. (SEF)
The competitions of the Afro-Arab Esports League kicked off on Saturday. (SEF)
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Saudi Arabia Hosts Afro-Arab Esports League 2023

The competitions of the Afro-Arab Esports League kicked off on Saturday. (SEF)
The competitions of the Afro-Arab Esports League kicked off on Saturday. (SEF)

The competitions of the Afro-Arab Esports League kicked off on Saturday, featuring participation from over 25 national teams. The teams will compete for three days in a variety of tournaments tailored for both men and women, covering popular games such as eFootball and Valorant.

The inauguration ceremony of the Afro-Arab Esports League was held in the presence of Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation and chairman of the Arab Esports Federation, and Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, the Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports.

Heads of Esports federations also attended the event, including Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Senegal, Kenya, Ghana, Morocco, Bahrain, Oman, Cameroon, Mali, Somalia, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Burkina Faso, Jordan, Lebanon, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, South Africa, Namibia, and Nigeria.

Prince Faisal underlined the importance of the event as a primary means to foster cultural exchange and collaboration among the participating nations.

He hoped that over time more Arab and African teams would take part.

He also emphasized the desired goals of these championships, which provide an opportunity for players to come together, share experiences, and celebrate their shared passion while competing in esports.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sobhi lauded the efforts of Prince Faisal in spearheading the creation of the Afro-Arab Esports League. He highlighted the importance of uniting the youth from the Arab and African regions in a single platform to engage in these competitions, noting its evident significance and the numerous opportunities it provides for growth.

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Sports

Antonio Returns to English Football with Watford Move

Soccer Football - UEFA Europa League - Nottingham Forest v FC Porto - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - October 23, 2025 TV pundit and footballer Michail Antonio REUTERS/David Klein
Soccer Football - UEFA Europa League - Nottingham Forest v FC Porto - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - October 23, 2025 TV pundit and footballer Michail Antonio REUTERS/David Klein
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Antonio Returns to English Football with Watford Move

Soccer Football - UEFA Europa League - Nottingham Forest v FC Porto - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - October 23, 2025 TV pundit and footballer Michail Antonio REUTERS/David Klein
Soccer Football - UEFA Europa League - Nottingham Forest v FC Porto - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - October 23, 2025 TV pundit and footballer Michail Antonio REUTERS/David Klein

Watford have signed Michail Antonio on a free transfer on a one-year deal, bringing the former West Ham United forward back to English football.

The 36-year-old, West Ham's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer, was in a serious road accident in December 2024 when his car hit a tree on the way home from training. He broke his ⁠thigh bone in ⁠four places and did not play for the club again.

Antonio left West Ham in August 2025 after the London club opted not to renew his contract. They were relegated ⁠to the second-tier Championship after finishing 18th in the Premier League the last season.

He joined Qatari side Al-Sailiya in March, his first club since undergoing surgery following the accident.

"It's a good set of boys here," Reuters quoted Antonio as saying in a statement on Friday. "They are focused and ready to show their ⁠abilities ⁠this season.

"Watford is a big club and hopefully I can come in and bring success and help wherever I can.

"I've scored a few goals against Watford! So hopefully I can score some for Watford now when I'm fully up to speed."

Watford are 12th in the Championship with eight points from six matches.

Sports

Spurs' Mudryk Sidelined by Injury after Comeback from Doping Ban

Tottenham Hotspur's Ukrainian midfielder #27 Mykhailo Mudryk reacts during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on September 5, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)
Tottenham Hotspur's Ukrainian midfielder #27 Mykhailo Mudryk reacts during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on September 5, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)
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Spurs' Mudryk Sidelined by Injury after Comeback from Doping Ban

Tottenham Hotspur's Ukrainian midfielder #27 Mykhailo Mudryk reacts during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on September 5, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)
Tottenham Hotspur's Ukrainian midfielder #27 Mykhailo Mudryk reacts during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on September 5, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)

Tottenham Hotspur winger Mykhailo Mudryk injured his ankle in training, according to British media reports, with manager Roberto De Zerbi hoping the Ukraine international can return as soon as possible after this latest setback.

The 25-year-old joined Spurs on a season-long loan from rivals Chelsea on transfer deadline day and made his debut off the bench in last weekend's goalless draw at Nottingham Forest.

Mudryk is expected to be sidelined until after the international break, said the media reports.

Mudryk previously played ⁠under De Zerbi ⁠on Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk before joining Chelsea in January 2023. He struggled to establish himself at Stamford Bridge, however, and his career was put on hold after an adverse analytical finding for meldonium in an anti-doping test in 2024.

The Football ⁠Association handed him a four-year ban, but he appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and his suspension was later reduced following an agreement between the FA and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

"(With) Mudryk, it was a stupid injury and we hope he can come back as soon as possible. For him and for us," Reuters quoted De Zerbi as telling reporters on Friday.

"For him because he suffered too much and ⁠for us ⁠because we lost an important player.

"He played 15 minutes in Nottingham, he played well, but it's in the normal process when one player doesn't play for a long time."

Mudryk made 73 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 10 goals and registering 11 assists before his move to Spurs.

Spurs have made a disappointing start to the season, taking just one point from their opening three Premier League matches to sit 17th in the table. They host Everton later on Saturday.

Sports

Shelton Takes Down Tiafoe to Seal Zverev Showdown in US Open Final

Ben Shelton, of the United States, reacts during the second set during the men's singles semifinals of the US Open tennis championships against Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Ben Shelton, of the United States, reacts during the second set during the men's singles semifinals of the US Open tennis championships against Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Shelton Takes Down Tiafoe to Seal Zverev Showdown in US Open Final

Ben Shelton, of the United States, reacts during the second set during the men's singles semifinals of the US Open tennis championships against Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Ben Shelton, of the United States, reacts during the second set during the men's singles semifinals of the US Open tennis championships against Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Ben Shelton defeated compatriot Frances Tiafoe 4-6 6-3 6-3 7-5 in an electric US Open semi-final on Friday to secure a title clash with Alexander Zverev and move closer to ending a 23-year American wait for a men's singles Grand Slam champion.

The big-hitting 23-year-old now stands one victory away from becoming the first American man to capture a major singles title since Andy Roddick hoisted the trophy at Flushing Meadows in 2003.

With the semi-final line-up having already ensured a Black American man would reach the final, Shelton's win made him the first to do so in New York since Arthur Ashe in 1972, and at any of the majors since MaliVai Washington at Wimbledon in 1996.

"I'm going for ⁠it," Reuters quoted Shelton as saying ⁠on court. "I'm going to leave it all on the court. I hope you guys come back me, let's do this for the US.

"It's a lot of emotion. My dad, my mom have sacrificed a lot for me to be in this position today. My dad lost his mom earlier this year and she's the reason he was able to play tennis.

"Without her there's no Ben Shelton standing here ⁠today. This one is for her."

On a poignant evening that began with commemorations marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Tiafoe powered ahead 5-4 when Shelton produced a double fault, before raising the roof on the main showcourt with a hold to bag the first set.

"It's a difficult day to be out here playing," Shelton said.

"My thoughts and prayers are going out to all the families who are impacted by 9/11. This is one of the greatest cities in the world and one of the biggest tragedies. But yeah, thoughts and prayers to everyone involved and affected."

Tiafoe continued to target his opponent's relatively ⁠weaker backhand in ⁠the second set but Shelton dialed up the intensity to draw level and broke in the fifth game of the third set to take a commanding lead.

With his booming left-handed serve and his defense proving impenetrable in the high-octane fourth set, eighth seed Shelton heaped the pressure on late and moved into his maiden major title clash after a double fault by Tiafoe.

"Frances, he's like a big brother to me," Shelton added.

"Every time that we get to take this court together, Arthur Ashe Stadium, and play each other is super special. But this is where we want to be at the tail end ... this is our favorite tournament, our favorite court in the world.

"To be able to light it up in front of you guys is the best feeling that there is."