Saudi Arabia Elected Vice President of UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport

Saudi Arabia was elected as Vice President of the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport through 2025. SPA
Saudi Arabia was elected as Vice President of the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport through 2025. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Elected Vice President of UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport

Saudi Arabia was elected as Vice President of the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport through 2025. SPA
Saudi Arabia was elected as Vice President of the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport through 2025. SPA

Saudi Arabia has been elected as Vice President of the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport through 2025.

The election was made during a meeting held at the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) headquarters in Paris.

The meeting was attended by several sports ministers from various countries and representatives from 191 countries.

Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs Undersecretary Abdulaziz Al-Massaad, who was elected to the UNESCO post, praised the unlimited support of the Saudi leadership. He also appreciated the continuous directives of the Minister of Sports and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC), Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal.

Al-Massaad emphasized that the Saudi leadership is keen to ensure the Kingdom's participation in various international sporting forums and events, and to enhance the presence of Saudi competencies in international organizations.

Al-Massaad thanked the Kingdom's ambassador to France, Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili; the Secretary-General of the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Bulahid; and the staff of the Kingdom's Permanent Delegation to the UNESCO for their efforts.



Defeated Villa Eager to Go Again in Champions League 

Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)
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Defeated Villa Eager to Go Again in Champions League 

Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)

Narrowly defeated by Paris St Germain at the Champions League quarter-final stage, Aston Villa are now focused on getting straight back next year into Europe's top club competition.

"I am very proud of everything we did in the Champions League," Villa boss Unai Emery said as the dust settled from a pulsating clash with PSG whom they beat 3-2 in Tuesday's second leg but lost 3-1 to in the first game for an overall 5-4 defeat.

Villa are seventh in the Premier League but only a point off fifth which would secure them a Champions League berth again.

"It is now most important to get Europe again. The most important competition is the Champions League. The challenge we have for the last six matches (of the Premier League) is to try and get Europe and the Champions League," Emery said.

His pride at Villa's strong showing, after a four-decade absence from Europe's elite, was tinged with frustration at just failing to pull off a remarkable comeback as they came so close to scoring a fourth goal at Villa Park that would have levelled the tie on aggregate.

"We were close," he said, adding that he had to push his team on to achieve ever more. "Still a little bit more to do better, to try to get it."

Aston Villa captain John McGinn, who scored on Tuesday, echoed the sentiment.

"Obvious disappointment but I am proud of my teammates, proud of the club. We have come a long way. We were so, so close tonight. We just fell a little bit short," he said.

"We had chances to take the game to extra time but we've got to be proud about the way we came back against one of the best teams in the world, to fight to the end. We want more. We want to be back here next season and we will try our best to do that."

McGinn said the players gave their all against a superb opponent. "We never gave up. It was chaos, but we gave absolutely everything and I think every Aston Villa supporter will leave with a huge sense of pride," he said.

"I've never played against Real Madrid or Barcelona, but in my career they (PSG) are the best team I have faced. I'm getting old and I certainly wouldn't like to play against them every week."