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
TT

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.



Funeral for Ex-England Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson Held in Sweden 

Funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson - Torsby, Sweden - September 13, 2024 A photograph of Sven-Goran Eriksson on display at Fryksande church. (Jonas Ekstromer/TT News Agency via Reuters)
Funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson - Torsby, Sweden - September 13, 2024 A photograph of Sven-Goran Eriksson on display at Fryksande church. (Jonas Ekstromer/TT News Agency via Reuters)
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Funeral for Ex-England Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson Held in Sweden 

Funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson - Torsby, Sweden - September 13, 2024 A photograph of Sven-Goran Eriksson on display at Fryksande church. (Jonas Ekstromer/TT News Agency via Reuters)
Funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson - Torsby, Sweden - September 13, 2024 A photograph of Sven-Goran Eriksson on display at Fryksande church. (Jonas Ekstromer/TT News Agency via Reuters)

The funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson, the first foreigner to manage England's national soccer team, was held on Friday in the small Swedish town where he grew up before embarking on a career that would span many decades, countries and trophies.

A soft-spoken but determined coach, Eriksson guided teams in Sweden, Portugal and Italy to major trophies in the 1980s and 1990s before taking on the England job in 2001, managing stars such as David Beckham, with whom he formed a close bond.

Eriksson announced in January that he was terminally ill with pancreatic cancer and spent much of the ensuing months reconnecting with many of the places and people central to his career before he died last month.

The funeral took place in Torsby, a rural town of less than 5,000 people near the border with Norway, and was attended by several hundred people inside the church, including Beckham.

Others followed the service on a big screen set up outside and the funeral was given blanket coverage by Swedish media.

Tributes flowed in from prime ministers, clubs and former players on news of his death while national teams including England and Sweden played with black arm bands during the recent international break.

Eriksson, known in Sweden simply as "Svennis", led England to the 2002 and 2006 World Cup quarter-finals, and to the 2004 European Championship, managing a golden generation of players that besides Beckham included stars such as Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.

He began building his international reputation when he guided Swedish club IFK Gothenburg to the UEFA Cup title in 1982 and went on to win silverware as coach of Portugal's Benfica and Italian clubs AS Roma, Fiorentina, Lazio and Sampdoria.

Unable to end England's trophy drought, he left the helm of the national side in 2006, going on to coach Manchester City and Leicester City as well as Mexico and Ivory Coast and clubs in China and the Philippines.