Saudi Arabia to Host Asian Archery Championship 2025

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Arabia to Host Asian Archery Championship 2025

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The World Archery Asia Congress has approved Saudi Arabia's official hosting of the 2025 Asian Archery Championship.
This came during a meeting held on Saturday in the Thai capital Bangkok in the presence of representatives of 24 countries.
The CEO of the Saudi Archery Federation, Abdulrahman Alshudukhi, said during the meeting: “This success is a clear evidence of the Kingdom's strength in various fields, especially sports. This would not have come without the support of the wise leadership, and the follow-up of Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC). It also indicates that the Chairman of the Saudi Archery Federation, Mishaal bin Abdul Mohsen Al Hokair, is keen that Archery be as important as other various sports in Saudi Arabia.”

He highlighted that the hosting of the event is a direct outcome of the strategic and technical efforts made by the Saudi Archery Federation throughout the year 2023. The Kingdom has been diligently working towards this milestone since 2022, successfully hosting the 13th Arab Archery Championship in Riyadh last October. The event was a remarkable success, meeting international standards and garnering widespread acclaim.



Andy Murray Withdraws from Olympic Tennis Singles, Will Only Play Doubles 

Britain's Andy Murray plays a forehand return to Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka during their men's singles match on day one of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at The Roland Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2024. (AFP)
Britain's Andy Murray plays a forehand return to Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka during their men's singles match on day one of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at The Roland Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2024. (AFP)
TT

Andy Murray Withdraws from Olympic Tennis Singles, Will Only Play Doubles 

Britain's Andy Murray plays a forehand return to Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka during their men's singles match on day one of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at The Roland Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2024. (AFP)
Britain's Andy Murray plays a forehand return to Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka during their men's singles match on day one of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at The Roland Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2024. (AFP)

Two-time Olympic tennis gold medalist Andy Murray pulled out of singles at the Paris Games on Thursday and only will compete in doubles with Dan Evans.

Murray, a 37-year-old from Britain, has said these Olympics will be the final event of his career.

He’s dealt with a series of injuries, including a hip replacement in 2019, and most recently needed surgery last month to remove a cyst from his spine.

Murray pulled out of singles at Wimbledon this month and played one match in doubles alongside his older brother, Jamie.

“I’ve taken the decision to withdraw from the singles to concentrate on the doubles with Dan. Our practice has been great and we’re playing well together,” Murray said Thursday. “Really looking forward to getting started and representing GB one more time.”

His withdrawal announcement came shortly before the draw for the Olympics tennis tournament. Play begins Saturday on clay courts at Roland Garros, home to the French Open.

Murray won singles gold medals at London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016, making him the only tennis player with two.

He won three major titles: his two at Wimbledon coming after his first at the US Open. He reached the French Open final in 2016, losing to Novak Djokovic.