Football Stars Maldini, Villa Praise Progress of Sports in Saudi Kingdom

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Football Stars Maldini, Villa Praise Progress of Sports in Saudi Kingdom

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The Saudi people are enthusiastic and passionate about football, according to football stars David Villa from Spain and Paolo Maldini from Italy, SPA reported.
Their remarks came while visiting Jeddah to promote the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by the governorate from December 12 to 22.
Maldini indicated that there are numerous significant cultural and sports changes taking place in the Kingdom recently. He stated that the Saudi people are highly enthusiastic about football and are actively contributing to the development of sports in all aspects.
Villa emphasized that the development in sports in the Kingdom is incredibly impressive. He also praised the passion of football fans and their love for the game, stating that this will contribute significantly to the advancement of sports.
Villa noted that the Kingdom showcases football in a magnificent way, not only on a local scale but also on an international level.
"The Saudi league is growing and evolving significantly, and football in the Kingdom, in general, is progressing. There is strength in increasing its popularity. Football, in general, must advance and evolve in any championship and country where its fans desire progress. This is very important for the Kingdom, and it is also crucial to have a tournament like the FIFA Club World Cup hosted here," the Spanish star said.



China’s Huang and Sheng Win First Gold of Paris Games at Air Rifle Mixed Team Event

 China's Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao pose on the podium after winning the gold of the shooting 10m air rifle mixed team during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Chateauroux Shooting Centre on July 27, 2024. (AFP)
China's Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao pose on the podium after winning the gold of the shooting 10m air rifle mixed team during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Chateauroux Shooting Centre on July 27, 2024. (AFP)
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China’s Huang and Sheng Win First Gold of Paris Games at Air Rifle Mixed Team Event

 China's Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao pose on the podium after winning the gold of the shooting 10m air rifle mixed team during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Chateauroux Shooting Centre on July 27, 2024. (AFP)
China's Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao pose on the podium after winning the gold of the shooting 10m air rifle mixed team during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Chateauroux Shooting Centre on July 27, 2024. (AFP)

China's Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao won the first gold medal of the Paris Games on Saturday in the 10 meters air rifle mixed team event.

Keum Ji-hyeon and Park Ha-jun of South Korea claimed silver and Alexandra Le and Islam Satpayev of Kazakhstan were awarded bronze.

Three years after Yang Qian and Yang Haoran won the gold in Tokyo, compatriots Huang and Sheng made sure China retained it.

The reigning world champions topped the qualifying round ahead of their Korean rivals at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre.

The gold medal round was not really a cakewalk though despite them racing to a 14-8 lead after the first 11 shots.

Keum and Park staged a late comeback to reduce the gap at 14-12 but the Chinese pair prevailed 16-12 in the end.

Le and Satpayev gave Kazakhstan their first medal of the Paris Games with a 17-5 romp against the German pair of Anna Janssen and Maximilian Ulbrich.