Sports Boulevard Sponsors Saudi Cup, World’s Most Valuable Horse Race

The partnership was signed by JCSA chief executive Ziad Al-Mogren and SBF chief executive Jayne McGivern in the presence of Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, the chairman of the Equestrian Authority and the JCSA. SPA
The partnership was signed by JCSA chief executive Ziad Al-Mogren and SBF chief executive Jayne McGivern in the presence of Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, the chairman of the Equestrian Authority and the JCSA. SPA
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Sports Boulevard Sponsors Saudi Cup, World’s Most Valuable Horse Race

The partnership was signed by JCSA chief executive Ziad Al-Mogren and SBF chief executive Jayne McGivern in the presence of Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, the chairman of the Equestrian Authority and the JCSA. SPA
The partnership was signed by JCSA chief executive Ziad Al-Mogren and SBF chief executive Jayne McGivern in the presence of Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, the chairman of the Equestrian Authority and the JCSA. SPA

Sports Boulevard Foundation (SBF) signed a partnership with the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA), making Sports Boulevard an official sponsor for the Sports Boulevard Riyadh Dirt Sprint race, one of the races held in the evening of the 2024 Saudi Cup, the world's most valuable horse race.

The partnership was signed by JCSA chief executive Ziad Al-Mogren and SBF chief executive Jayne McGivern in the presence of Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, the chairman of the Equestrian Authority and the JCSA.

This is the second year of the Sports Boulevard’s official sponsorship with the Saudi Cup, which this year has a combined prize fund of more than $37.35 million -- an increase of $2 million from last year. The greatest racehorses, jockeys, trainers, and owners will be welcomed by the organizers.

“Alongside the Sports Boulevard sponsorship of Riyadh Season races, their mission to transform the city of Riyadh and offer state-of-the-art equestrian sports facilities aligns with our ambition of bringing more of Saudi Arabia’s residents into the sport,” said Al-Mogren.

“We look forward to collaborating with the Sports Boulevard to promote equestrian sports to people across Riyadh City.”

According to McGivern, “Creating access to grassroots sports for people across Riyadh and the Kingdom, including horse-riding and other equine activities, is something I am passionate about.”

“Horseracing has a deep-rooted history in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with thoroughbred horses descended from Arabian bloodlines. As a globally famous horse racing event, this partnership is the perfect platform to encourage community engagement,” said McGivern.

The Saudi Cup will take place on February 23 and 24 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. Through the partnership, visitors will have plenty of opportunities to find out more about the Sports Boulevard. Visitors to SBF’s booth will be able to learn more about how the megaproject will transform health and wellbeing in Riyadh.



Premier League Rejects City Request to Delay Next Season’s Games after Club World Cup

Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - September 28, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - September 28, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Reuters)
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Premier League Rejects City Request to Delay Next Season’s Games after Club World Cup

Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - September 28, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - September 28, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Reuters)

The Premier League has rejected Manchester City's request to postpone the first two games of the 2025-26 season to help the players recover after their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the US, the club's manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.

City and Chelsea are the two English clubs who have qualified for the expanded month-long Club World Cup set to start on June 15. The Premier League's season will begin in August.

An increasingly packed football calendar has been a concern among a growing number of players and managers. A report by global players' union FIFPRO said some players get only 12% of the year to rest.

The Premier League did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

City midfielder Rodri said in September that players could be close to strike action over the time they are required to play. A knee ligament injury has since put him out for the season.

"I don’t know if we will play more games than the treble year (2022-23)... maybe we'll play less games," Guardiola told reporters.

"The Premier League has not allowed us to postpone the first two games for our recovery. Thank you so much. They don't postpone these games so that will be the moment of, oh, what do we have to do?"

He said the Club World Cup will make it even more difficult for clubs to manage player workload.