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Gulf Federation for E-Sports Established at Next World Forum

A total of 14 memoranda of understanding (MoU) and agreements were signed at the Next World Forum in Riyadh
A total of 14 memoranda of understanding (MoU) and agreements were signed at the Next World Forum in Riyadh
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Gulf Federation for E-Sports Established at Next World Forum

A total of 14 memoranda of understanding (MoU) and agreements were signed at the Next World Forum in Riyadh
A total of 14 memoranda of understanding (MoU) and agreements were signed at the Next World Forum in Riyadh

The Gulf Federation for Electronic Sports was established Thursday on the sidelines of the Next World Forum, to support, nurture, and develop Gulf talents through annual tournaments hosted by all countries.

The event of the announcement was attended by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi E-Sports Federation, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, and heads and representatives of e-sports federations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

A total of 14 memoranda of understanding (MoU) and agreements were signed at the Next World Forum, an event in Riyadh that brings together leaders and experts of the gaming and e-sports sector from around the world, focusing on boosting the sector and cooperation between government and private agencies to develop it.

The agreements included aspects related to federations, sponsorships, proposed values, and education, and were signed as part of the global event that concludes the activities of the largest gaming and e-sports event globally, "Gamers Season: Land of Champions.”

In addition to the founding agreement, MOUs were signed between the Saudi E-Sports Federation and its counterparts in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE, aiming to share expertise and cooperate in aspects of educational curricula and e-sports by hosting and broadcasting tournaments.

On the government sector side, an MOU was signed between the Ministry of Education and the Saudi E-Sports Federation, in the presence of the Undersecretary for Educational Programs, Dr. Saad Al-Harbi, to discuss ways of cooperation concerning spreading the culture of e-sports among members of the educational community and building the main skills of students and human resources specialized in the field.

Moreover, an agreement for international tourist experiences and loyalty programs was signed between the Saudi E-Sports Federation and the Saudi Tourism Authority, in addition to an MoU between the two sides to improve the tourist experience and promote the Gamers Season.

The E-Sports Federation also signed an MoU with the Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship, and two MoUs were signed between the Social Development Bank and Vanguard and Sandsoft. Concerning sponsorship, an agreement was signed between the Saudi E-Sports Federation and KFC, and another between stc play and Geekay Esports, in addition to an MoU between stc play and LG.

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Recovering Kompany Returns to Bayern Training Center

Bayern Munich's Belgian head coach Vincent Kompany waves as he arrives for the friendly football match between Bayern Munich and Olympique Lyon in Munich, southern Germany, on August 2, 2025. (AFP)
Bayern Munich's Belgian head coach Vincent Kompany waves as he arrives for the friendly football match between Bayern Munich and Olympique Lyon in Munich, southern Germany, on August 2, 2025. (AFP)
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Recovering Kompany Returns to Bayern Training Center

Bayern Munich's Belgian head coach Vincent Kompany waves as he arrives for the friendly football match between Bayern Munich and Olympique Lyon in Munich, southern Germany, on August 2, 2025. (AFP)
Bayern Munich's Belgian head coach Vincent Kompany waves as he arrives for the friendly football match between Bayern Munich and Olympique Lyon in Munich, southern Germany, on August 2, 2025. (AFP)

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany has returned to the club's training center as he continues his recovery from meningeal irritation, the Bundesliga champions said Tuesday.

The Belgian was rushed to hospital after collapsing on the training pitch in Munich last month, before being diagnosed with the illness.

"Vincent Kompany is on the road to recovery and has been back at the training ground at Sabener Strasse since the start of the week," Bayern said in a brief statement.

"Kompany was under medical care recently, with assistant coach Aaron Danks filling in."

The club also said Kompany was receiving treatment for a shoulder injury at the training center.

Bayern said after his collapse that the 40-year-old would return to take back head coaching duties from Danks in a "matter of weeks, not days".

The Bavarians' next match is not until November 20, against Cologne, due to the international break.

Kompany was visibly sick and walked with a limp during Bayern's 6-1 home win over RB Leipzig in mid-October.

He was in doubt for their home Champions League clash with Arsenal four days later, but took to the dugout for the 2-2 draw, two days before his training-pitch collapse.

Sports

FIA Chief Says Qatar, Abu Dhabi GPs to Go Ahead

Lando Norris at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2025. (Reuters)
Lando Norris at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2025. (Reuters)
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FIA Chief Says Qatar, Abu Dhabi GPs to Go Ahead

Lando Norris at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2025. (Reuters)
Lando Norris at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2025. (Reuters)

The final races of the Formula One season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned despite tensions in the Middle East, the president of motorsports' governing body Mohammed Ben Sulayem said on Tuesday.

The last two grands prix of the year are scheduled for November 29 in Qatar and December 6 in Abu Dhabi.

The Saudi Arabia Grand Prix earlier this year was scrapped following the outbreak of the United States and Israel's war with Iran, while the Bahrain race was delayed and moved to Malaysia.

"We are ready for Qatar and Abu Dhabi," FIA chief Ben Sulayem said on social media.

"We are fully prepared and committed to delivering two outstanding grands prix weekends and a spectacular conclusion to the Formula One world championship.

"We look forward to welcoming drivers, teams and fans to two iconic circuits for an unforgettable finish to the season. See you on the grid."

Ben Sulayem's comments echo those made by F1 boss Stefano Domenicali last month.

One of the options discussed was moving the Emirati race to Imola in Italy if the Middle Eastern races could not go ahead, but F1 told media on Tuesday the Italian track had been told to stand down.

"We cannot let Imola wait indefinitely. Therefore, we have informed them today that we will not require them at the end of the season," an F1 official source said.

"Travel advice still allows travel, travel insurance is valid, events are taking place (for example MotoGP last weekend in Qatar) and business has returned to a normal level in both countries," the F1 source added.

Italian youngster Kimi Antonelli has already wrapped up the drivers' world championship title, while his Mercedes team secured the constructors' crown last weekend in Sao Paulo.

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England Hand First Call-up to Bournemouth Defender Hill

Premier League - AFC Bournemouth vs Leeds United - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - October 31, 2026 AFC Bournemouth's James Hill celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
Premier League - AFC Bournemouth vs Leeds United - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - October 31, 2026 AFC Bournemouth's James Hill celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
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England Hand First Call-up to Bournemouth Defender Hill

Premier League - AFC Bournemouth vs Leeds United - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - October 31, 2026 AFC Bournemouth's James Hill celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
Premier League - AFC Bournemouth vs Leeds United - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - October 31, 2026 AFC Bournemouth's James Hill celebrates after the match. (Reuters)

England have called up uncapped Bournemouth defender James Hill for their Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.

Hill has been added to Thomas Tuchel's squad after center-backs Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa were ruled out of Thursday's clash with Croatia at Wembley.

Guehi withdrew with an injury suffered in Manchester City's Premier League defeat at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Newcastle defender Dan Burn was called up on Monday, while Arsenal star Konsa will not be fit to face Slaven Bilic's side at Wembley as he is following his own fitness program.

Konsa is expected to be fit for Sunday's game against world champions Spain in Madrid.

The unheralded Hill has enjoyed a rapid rise this season, playing 15 times for Bournemouth to catch Tuchel's eye.

Hill will be fighting for a spot in England's central defense along with Burn, Jarell Quansah and Jarrad Branthwaite.

"Bournemouth defender James Hill has received his first call-up to the England squad," a Football Association statement said on Tuesday.

"The 24-year-old, who represented his nation at under-20 and under-21 level, has joined England ahead of the forthcoming Nations League fixtures.

"Meanwhile, Ezri Konsa will not be in contention for Croatia at Wembley on Thursday as he continues to follow his own program but will return to full training later this week before Sunday's trip to Spain."