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Xabi Alonso Says He’s Staying at Bayer Leverkusen, Dismisses Speculation

Leverkusen's head coach Xabi Alonso prior to the German Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, May 14, 2023. (dpa via AP)
Leverkusen's head coach Xabi Alonso prior to the German Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, May 14, 2023. (dpa via AP)
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Xabi Alonso Says He’s Staying at Bayer Leverkusen, Dismisses Speculation

Leverkusen's head coach Xabi Alonso prior to the German Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, May 14, 2023. (dpa via AP)
Leverkusen's head coach Xabi Alonso prior to the German Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, May 14, 2023. (dpa via AP)

Coach Xabi Alonso is concentrating on Bayer Leverkusen and has dismissed speculation linking him with some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

The 41-year-old Alonso has enjoyed a successful start to his first senior coaching job after turning Leverkusen’s fortunes around and he said Wednesday he’s not finished yet.

“I’m very happy with the team and the club. I’m not thinking at all about my future,” Alonso said before Thursday’s Europa League semifinal match against Roma. “I’m fully focused on what I want, and I’ve spoken with everyone who needs to know.”

Asked if that meant he will be coaching Leverkusen next season, Alonso replied, “yes, that’s correct.”

Alonso, whose contract with Leverkusen runs to 2024, had been linked with taking over from Carlo Ancelotti at his former club Real Madrid or at Premier League club Tottenham.

Leverkusen was second from last in the Bundesliga when Alonso took over from the fired Gerardo Seoane last October. He has since led the team to seventh place with two rounds remaining, while a place in the Europa League final is still possible.

Leverkusen needs to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Roma when it hosts the Italian team for the second leg on Thursday.

“The first game was very close. We can expect more tomorrow," Alonso said. “The little details will be important. But I feel the energy from the team and if we give everything on the field, we can proud after the game.”

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Sports

Olympics: No Restrictions on Hijab in Paris 2024 Games’ Athletes Village

Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to Aug. 11 next year. - AFP
Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to Aug. 11 next year. - AFP
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Olympics: No Restrictions on Hijab in Paris 2024 Games’ Athletes Village

Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to Aug. 11 next year. - AFP
Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to Aug. 11 next year. - AFP

Athletes can wear a hijab in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games athletes’ village without any restriction, the International Olympic Committee said on Friday, days after France’s sports minister banned it for the host country’s athletes.

The Olympic body also said it needed to better understand the situation in France and had been in contact with the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF).

French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said on Sunday French athletes would be barred from wearing a hijab during the Paris Games to respect principles of secularism.

“For the Olympic Village, the IOC rules apply,” an IOC spokesperson said. “There are no restrictions on wearing the hijab or any other religious or cultural attire.”

The vast majority of the approximately 10,000 athletes at Olympic Games reside in apartments in the Olympic village and share common spaces, including dining halls and recreational areas.

“When it comes to competitions, the regulations set by the relevant International Federation (IF) apply,” the IOC spokesperson said, Reuters reported.

The sports competitions at the Olympics are organized and overseen by the individual international sports federations.

There are 32 sports on the program of the Paris Games.

“Since this French regulation relates to the members of the French team only, we are in contact with the CNOSF to further understand the situation regarding the French athletes,” the spokesperson said.

The French decision to bar its athletes from wearing a hijab was criticized by the United Nations human rights office this week.

Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to Aug. 11 next year.

Sports

Sport Ministry's Pavilion in Rome-based Saudi Village Attracts Sports Enthusiasts

The activities of the ministry at the Saudi Village in Rome were organized by Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Italy. SPA
The activities of the ministry at the Saudi Village in Rome were organized by Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Italy. SPA
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Sport Ministry's Pavilion in Rome-based Saudi Village Attracts Sports Enthusiasts

The activities of the ministry at the Saudi Village in Rome were organized by Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Italy. SPA
The activities of the ministry at the Saudi Village in Rome were organized by Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Italy. SPA

The pavilion of the Ministry of Sport at the Saudi Village in Rome concluded its activities Friday.

The activities were organized by Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Italy.

The pavilion shed light on the international events held by the ministry and the diverse investment opportunities available with regard to Saudi sports.

It also highlighted the role of the Saudi private sector and its effective participation in sports projects.

The pavilion spotlighted the progress seen in women’s football and the training centers provided for this game, in addition to future projects under the Saudi Vision 2030.

During the event, there was also a chance to highlight the championships that the Kingdom is preparing for, including the 2027 AFC Asian Cup as well as the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Trojena.

The pavilion attracted Italian sports enthusiasts, fans, investors, and university students during its activities.

Sports

Riyadh to Host Arab Archery Competition Next Month

A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour
A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour
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Riyadh to Host Arab Archery Competition Next Month

A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour
A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour

The 13th Arab Open Archery Competition will be held in Riyadh from October 12 to 17.

Organized by the Saudi Arabian Archery Federation, the competition will see the participation of 120 female and male athletes representing 20 national teams.

Federation CEO Abdulrahman Alshudukhi said that all preparations are underway for the event, adding that hosting the Arab competition for the first time will set the stage for regional and international archery competitions in the future.

Sports

Alcaraz, Medvedev Untroubled in 1st Round at China Open

Tennis - ATP 500 - China Open - National Tennis Center, Beijing, China - September 29, 2023. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action during his first round match against Yannick Hanfmann of Germany. REUTERS/Florence Lo
Tennis - ATP 500 - China Open - National Tennis Center, Beijing, China - September 29, 2023. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action during his first round match against Yannick Hanfmann of Germany. REUTERS/Florence Lo
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Alcaraz, Medvedev Untroubled in 1st Round at China Open

Tennis - ATP 500 - China Open - National Tennis Center, Beijing, China - September 29, 2023. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action during his first round match against Yannick Hanfmann of Germany. REUTERS/Florence Lo
Tennis - ATP 500 - China Open - National Tennis Center, Beijing, China - September 29, 2023. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action during his first round match against Yannick Hanfmann of Germany. REUTERS/Florence Lo

Second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz made a comfortable debut in China on Friday with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over qualifier Yannick Hanfmann in the first round of the China Open.

In his first competitive match since the semifinals of the US Open, the Spaniard traded breaks early before taking control.

"I’m really happy to be able to win this match in straight sets,” The Associated Press quoted Alcaraz as saying. “I tried to be really focused on every part of my game. I have to improve a little bit so I’m really happy to do it and have another chance to be better in the next round.”

Alcaraz will next face Lorenzo Musetti, who beat Karen Khachanov 6-3, 1-6, 6-2.

Third-ranked Daniil Medvedev defeated Tommy Paul 6-2, 6-1. The US Open finalist made only three unforced errors in his first visit to China in four years.

“I played great. The start of the match was not easy, but it’s never easy first round, especially in another part of the world," Medvedev said. “Then I was playing better and better during the match, so I’m happy about my level.”

The Russian will next face Alex de Minaur on Saturday.

Third-seeded Holger Rune, fifth-seeded Andriy Rublev, sixth-seeded Jannik Sinner, seventh-seeded Casper Ruud and eighth-seeded Alexander Zverev also won, while fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas was eliminated.

Sports

Russian Athletes to Compete at Paris Paralympics after IPC Votes Against Full Ban

A view shows the medals of French Paralympic cyclist Marie Patouillet, 35, who wants to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games, in her apartment in Paris, France, September 5, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
A view shows the medals of French Paralympic cyclist Marie Patouillet, 35, who wants to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games, in her apartment in Paris, France, September 5, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
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Russian Athletes to Compete at Paris Paralympics after IPC Votes Against Full Ban

A view shows the medals of French Paralympic cyclist Marie Patouillet, 35, who wants to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games, in her apartment in Paris, France, September 5, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
A view shows the medals of French Paralympic cyclist Marie Patouillet, 35, who wants to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games, in her apartment in Paris, France, September 5, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

Russian athletes will be able to compete as full participants or neutral athletes at next year's Paris Paralympics after the International Paralympic Committee members voted against a full ban of Russia on Friday.
The decision clears the way for Russians, whose athletes are currently banned from any Paralympic competition, to be in Paris and what the IPC will decide later on Friday is whether they will do so in full national team gear or if they will compete as neutrals, without national emblems, flags or anthem.
"At the IPC General Assembly in Bahrain, IPC members voted 74-65 (13 abstentions) against a motion to fully suspend NPC (National Paralympic Committee) Russia for breaches of its constitutional membership obligations," Reuters quoted IPC as saying.
The decision comes two weeks before the International Olympic Committee session in Mumbai where it will also discuss Russia's and Belarus' participation at the Paris Olympics next year.
The IPC had last year suspended the paralympic committees of both countries and banned their athletes from competing following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Belarus has acted as a staging ground for Russian troops and weapons.
Although an appeal against the suspension of the committees was upheld this year, Russian and Belarusian para-athletes remain banned from competitions to this day.
The IOC has not sanctioned the Russian or Belarus Olympic Committee or Russian members of the IOC. It did ban athletes following last year's invasion of Ukraine, which Russia calls a special military operation.
In March, however, it issued a first set of recommendations for international sports federations to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to return.

Sports

Saudi Squash Team to Participate in Denmark International Championship Friday

File: Tourists and visitors enjoy a warm sunny day in the historic Nyhavn area of Copenhagen, Denmark, July 9, 2023. (Reuters)
File: Tourists and visitors enjoy a warm sunny day in the historic Nyhavn area of Copenhagen, Denmark, July 9, 2023. (Reuters)
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Saudi Squash Team to Participate in Denmark International Championship Friday

File: Tourists and visitors enjoy a warm sunny day in the historic Nyhavn area of Copenhagen, Denmark, July 9, 2023. (Reuters)
File: Tourists and visitors enjoy a warm sunny day in the historic Nyhavn area of Copenhagen, Denmark, July 9, 2023. (Reuters)

The Saudi squash team will participate in the Denmark International Squash Championship, which will be held from September 29 to October 1st, with the participation of 32 players.
Mohammed Al-Nasfan and Hasan Al-Daoud are eagerly anticipating their upcoming participation in the championship, SPA reported.

This comes after Al-Nasfan's recent win at the Head Danish International Under-15 Championship held in Copenhagen, Denmark last September, which had a total of 99 players from 17 different countries.

Both players are determined to perform well and establish themselves in the upcoming championship.

Technical advisor Samer Al-Khatib and technical manager Ahmed Kamel are leading the Saudi team.

Sports

Draw Conducted for 2023 IHF Men's Super Globe in Dammam

Saudi flag flutters/file photo
Saudi flag flutters/file photo
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Draw Conducted for 2023 IHF Men's Super Globe in Dammam

Saudi flag flutters/file photo
Saudi flag flutters/file photo

The draw for the International Handball Federation's (IHF) Men's Super Globe competition, which will take place in the Kingdom's eastern city of Dammam between November 7 and 12, was held Thursday in Switzerland.

The draw put Saudi Al-Noor Club with Group A along with FC Barcelona and Egyptian Al-Ahly, while Saudi host team Khaleej will face SC Magdeburg, the current EHF Champions League Men title holders, and University of Queensland from Australia.

According to SPA, Group B combines Kuwait SC, San Fernando HB from Argentina, and Füchse Berlin, while Group D has KS Kielce from Poland, Bahraini club Al-Najma, and American San Francisco CalHeat.

The competition will be played according to the group system with the winners of each group to progress into the semi-finals while the other two sides will head to the Placement Matches.

Sports

Women's International Championship: Bhutan and Lebanon Reach Final

The Saudi Women's National Team during the match against Bhutan (Saudi Football Federation)
The Saudi Women's National Team during the match against Bhutan (Saudi Football Federation)
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Women's International Championship: Bhutan and Lebanon Reach Final

The Saudi Women's National Team during the match against Bhutan (Saudi Football Federation)
The Saudi Women's National Team during the match against Bhutan (Saudi Football Federation)

The Saudi Women's National Team missed a the chance to reach the final of the International Friendly Tournament taking place in Taif, after losing to the Bhutanese national team, who scored a late goal in the second half of extra time.

The Bhutanese team has secured their spot in the tournament final and will face off against Lebanon. Lebanon triumphed over Malaysia with a score of 4-3. Meanwhile, the Saudi team will compete against Malaysia to determine the third-place finisher on Saturday.

It's worth noting that this tournament featured the participation of national teams from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bhutan, Laos, and Lebanon.

Sports

Morocco, East African Nations Win Africa Cup of Nations Hosting Rights

Confederation of African Football (CAF) chief Patrice Motsepe announces the host countries for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations during a ceremony held in Cairo on September 27, 2023. © Khaled Desouki, AFP
Confederation of African Football (CAF) chief Patrice Motsepe announces the host countries for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations during a ceremony held in Cairo on September 27, 2023. © Khaled Desouki, AFP
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Morocco, East African Nations Win Africa Cup of Nations Hosting Rights

Confederation of African Football (CAF) chief Patrice Motsepe announces the host countries for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations during a ceremony held in Cairo on September 27, 2023. © Khaled Desouki, AFP
Confederation of African Football (CAF) chief Patrice Motsepe announces the host countries for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations during a ceremony held in Cairo on September 27, 2023. © Khaled Desouki, AFP

Morocco won by default after Algeria, Zambia and a joint bid from Benin and Nigeria all withdrew before the vote of the Confederation of African Football's executive committee in Cairo on Wednesday.

The north African country was a runaway favorite and will see the decision as a boost to their hopes of co-hosting the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Spain, Reuters reported.

It is only the second time that Morocco will host Africa's most popular sporting event, almost four decades after the previous time in 1988.

The joint East African bid for 2027 returns the finals to the region for the first time since 1976.

They beat Botswana, Egypt and Senegal in a vote of the CAF executive committee. Algeria were also a candidate but withdrew on Tuesday.

Sports

AlUla to Host First-Ever Mideast Tough Mudder Infinity Challenge in February

The winner is awarded one of the largest financial prizes in the history of obstacle-course racing - SPA
The winner is awarded one of the largest financial prizes in the history of obstacle-course racing - SPA
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AlUla to Host First-Ever Mideast Tough Mudder Infinity Challenge in February

The winner is awarded one of the largest financial prizes in the history of obstacle-course racing - SPA
The winner is awarded one of the largest financial prizes in the history of obstacle-course racing - SPA

The world's most popular obstacle-course racing challenge, Tough Mudder, announced the launch of a Tough Mudder Infinity race for the first time in the Middle East, to be held February 24, 2024 in AlUla Governorate, one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the world.

During the eight-hour race, participants must accomplish the largest number of laps around the Tough Mudder obstacle course. The winner is awarded one of the largest financial prizes in the history of obstacle-course racing. Participants can join the race individually or in teams, according to AFP.
In conjunction with the Tough Mudder Infinity competition, 5km and 10km Tough Mudder competition will be held, providing a group of challenges suitable for all fitness levels.
The Tough Mudder license holder in the Middle East, Nick Cartwright, said that holding the Tough Mudder Infinity competition in AlUla represents the region’s commitment to provide exceptional experiences and promoting an active lifestyle, amid the stunning views of AlUla, which offers participants a wonderful experience.
For his part, Rami Almoallim, the vice president of Destination Marketing and Management at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), said that AlUla represents one of the most distinctive tourist destinations in the region, as it continues to attract visitors thanks to the annual “AlUla Moments” calendar, which presents many special events and festivals. He said the region is looking forward to host fans of this exciting sport.