Saudi Arabia to Host World Rally Championship for First Time

Saudi Arabia will host the World Rally Championship (WRC) for the first time in its history. SPA
Saudi Arabia will host the World Rally Championship (WRC) for the first time in its history. SPA
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Saudi Arabia to Host World Rally Championship for First Time

Saudi Arabia will host the World Rally Championship (WRC) for the first time in its history. SPA
Saudi Arabia will host the World Rally Championship (WRC) for the first time in its history. SPA

The Ministry of Sports has announced that Saudi Arabia will host the World Rally Championship (WRC) for the first time in its history, under the name “Saudi Rally,” for 10 years starting in 2025.

The event is organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) and Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC), under the supervision of the Ministry of Sports in collaboration with the WRC.
The signing ceremony of the groundbreaking sports agreement took place on the island of Sardinia, Italy, in the presence of the President of SAMF and SMC, Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al Faisal, and the Director-General of the WRC, Jona Siebel.

“We are delighted to welcome the World Rally Championship [WRC] to the array of global sports events that have made Saudi Arabia a preferred and ideal destination, thanks to the generous support of our wise leadership,” said Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Sports and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC).

“The arrival of another prestigious global racing series to the Kingdom signifies that our country has become a preferred destination for sports and athletes in various disciplines, including motorsports.”

He added that this significant event joins a list of other activities such as Formula 1, Formula E, Extreme E races, and the Dakar Rally, marking another success in the series of achievements in hosting events on Saudi soil.

The Kingdom's winning of this hosting bid marks the first of its kind in the Middle East since 2011 when the championship was held in Jordan.



Struggling Valencia Fires Coach Rubén Baraja

Alaves head coach Eduardo Coudet (R) and Valencia head coach Ruben Baraja hug prior to the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia CF and Deportivo Alaves, in Valencia, Spain, 22 December 2024.  EPA/KAI FÖRSTERLING
Alaves head coach Eduardo Coudet (R) and Valencia head coach Ruben Baraja hug prior to the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia CF and Deportivo Alaves, in Valencia, Spain, 22 December 2024. EPA/KAI FÖRSTERLING
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Struggling Valencia Fires Coach Rubén Baraja

Alaves head coach Eduardo Coudet (R) and Valencia head coach Ruben Baraja hug prior to the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia CF and Deportivo Alaves, in Valencia, Spain, 22 December 2024.  EPA/KAI FÖRSTERLING
Alaves head coach Eduardo Coudet (R) and Valencia head coach Ruben Baraja hug prior to the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia CF and Deportivo Alaves, in Valencia, Spain, 22 December 2024. EPA/KAI FÖRSTERLING

Valencia fired coach Rubén Baraja on Monday after another setback in La Liga left the club stuck in the relegation zone and sparked renewed protests against Singaporean owner Peter Lim.
Valencia said it “decided to bring to an end Baraja’s time as first team coach” following a 2-2 home draw against Alaves on Sunday.
Valencia needed a stoppage-time equalizer to salvage the result that left the club second to last in the standings.
The home draw prompted more criticism from fans who have long complained about the administration of Lim, whom they accuse of using the club only as a business endeavor.
Baraja, a former Valencia player, took over the club in 2023. His replacement was not immediately announced, The Associated Press reported.
“The club would like to publicly thank Baraja for the passion, dedication and commitment that he has shown from the first to the last day of his tenure,” Valencia said in a statement. “The results have required a decision that has been very difficult to make.”
Valencia's next league match was against Real Madrid at home on Jan. 3 in a game postponed from October because of the deadly floods that hit Valencia.
Valencia is winless in its last four matches.