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Saudi Arabia: SBF Board of Directors Approves Global Sports Tower Designs

The Global Sports Tower, the tallest sports tower in the world and a key landmark of the Sports Boulevard project, will play a significant role in achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. SPA
The Global Sports Tower, the tallest sports tower in the world and a key landmark of the Sports Boulevard project, will play a significant role in achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. SPA
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Saudi Arabia: SBF Board of Directors Approves Global Sports Tower Designs

The Global Sports Tower, the tallest sports tower in the world and a key landmark of the Sports Boulevard project, will play a significant role in achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. SPA
The Global Sports Tower, the tallest sports tower in the world and a key landmark of the Sports Boulevard project, will play a significant role in achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. SPA

The board of directors of the Sports Boulevard Foundation (SBF), chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, approved the Global Sports Tower designs, a prominent landmark within the Sports Boulevard project on Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road in Riyadh.

The Global Sports Tower, the tallest sports tower in the world and a key landmark of the Sports Boulevard project, will play a significant role in achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The tower is set to enhance the quality of life in Riyadh, positioning the city as one of the top 10 economies globally.
The Sports Boulevard, a groundbreaking project, will offer a unique destination that integrates all aspects of life. This project is envisioned as a bridge to a futuristic urban environment for Riyadh, promising to positively influence the Kingdom's economy and elevate its international standing.

The Sports Boulevard project extends for more than 135 km on Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road, connecting Wadi Hanifah in the West with Wadi Al Sulai in the East through a grid of safe green pathways for pedestrians, cyclists, athletes, and horse riders.

The project includes more than 4.4 million square meters of greenery and open spaces and up to 50 multidisciplinary sports facilities. In addition, there are several unique destinations and investment zones, totaling an area that exceeds 3 million square meters.

The world’s first sports tower of such scale will contribute to achieving the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030, which commits to creating a sustainable, regenerative environment that enhances the quality of life. This includes a real sports renaissance that not only elevates the Kingdom's international ambitions but also provides facilities to encourage grassroots sports participation.
The Global Sports Tower is set to be the tallest sports tower in the world, standing at 130 meters. The total internal area is 84,000 square meters. It will include more than 30 different sports facilities and the world's tallest indoor climbing wall, which totals 98 meters.

The wall offers opportunities for climbers from all levels from beginner to professional, all can enjoy the world's fastest-growing sport. The tower will be crowned with the world's highest running track. Fully digitized and with a circuit of 250 meters, any athlete can enjoy a unique training experience, whilst enjoying one of the best views of Riyadh.

The tower is distinguished by its unique architectural design that applies to the Sports Boulevard Design Code driven by the principles of Salmani architecture, which is based on both originality and modernity. The tower following these principles makes it a distinctive landmark on Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and across the whole of Riyadh.

The tower aims to achieve the goals of the Sports Boulevard project and improve the quality of life in Riyadh by promoting sports and enabling the community by providing world-class facilities that contribute to promoting a sports culture among all members of society.

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Sports

Newcastle Must Grow Under Camp Nou Pressure, Urges Howe

Newcastle's head coach Eddie Howe attends a press conference in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)
Newcastle's head coach Eddie Howe attends a press conference in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)
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Newcastle Must Grow Under Camp Nou Pressure, Urges Howe

Newcastle's head coach Eddie Howe attends a press conference in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)
Newcastle's head coach Eddie Howe attends a press conference in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)

Newcastle coach Eddie Howe on Tuesday called on his players to grow rather than shrink under the lights at Camp Nou when they face Barcelona in the Champions League last 16.

The Premier League club outplayed the Spanish champions in the last 16 first leg, but a late Lamine Yamal penalty to snatch a 1-1 draw last week on Tyneside.

Newcastle, aiming to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in the club's history, know the challenge will be different on Wednesday at the home of the five-time winners.

"I don't think they will (be overawed), we've got an experienced group, we've got many players who have played in so many big games now we've become accustomed to it," Howe said.

"You almost want that size of the game to lift the players and to make us grow -- certainly we can't shrink -- but with many, many internationals within the squad I don't see that as an issue.

"It's just making sure from my side that we get the plan right, they've got a lot of dangerous players that we need to deal with."

Newcastle are ninth in the Premier League in a frustrating campaign, but Howe said the club are in their best moment of the season.

"(The players) are the happiest they have been throughout the season, it's been one of a lot of change... early season we struggled to find our rhythm, our relationships in the team were new," continued Howe.

"Their confidence was affected slightly. We worked really hard to try and bring some stability to the team."

"In the last few weeks we've returned to a really good flow. It's been a much better feel, better individual performances in return, better collective performances."

Newcastle beat Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday with a strong defensive display, which Howe said the team would have to draw from against the likes of Raphinha and teenage star Yamal.

"You have to be optimistic and you have to be positive, and that's why the Chelsea result and performance was so important," explained Howe.

"We proved to ourselves that we can defend our goal really well... I think we're as good a place as we've been at any stage this season, both on and off the pitch.

"We had to be in this position to give ourselves the best chance, and now we're just putting it over the line."

Barcelona beat Newcastle 2-1 in the league phase at St James' Park before last week's draw, but Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier said his team were on a high heading into the clash against the La Liga leaders.

"Yeah, we feel really confident, (although) I think we've had a mixed season," Trippier told reporters.

"There's a really good feeling around the place, so we come here calm and relaxed, looking forward to the game tomorrow, it's a big opportunity, and we know the rewards are going to be there if we put in a good performance."

Howe said the game at Camp Nou was "probably" the biggest of his career and Trippier defended his coach against some criticism he has received this term.

"I have great respect for what he's done for this football club, he's remarkable," added the defender.

Sports

Hansi Flick Says Barcelona Will Be His Last Coaching Job

FC Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick attends a press conference following the training of the team held at Joan Gamper Sports Complex in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)
FC Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick attends a press conference following the training of the team held at Joan Gamper Sports Complex in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)
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Hansi Flick Says Barcelona Will Be His Last Coaching Job

FC Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick attends a press conference following the training of the team held at Joan Gamper Sports Complex in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)
FC Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick attends a press conference following the training of the team held at Joan Gamper Sports Complex in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)

Barcelona may be the last team Hansi Flick coaches.

Flick said on Tuesday he doesn't plan on coaching anymore when his stint with Barcelona is over. He spoke ahead of the match against Newcastle in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday. The teams drew 1-1 in England last week.

Newly re-elected club president Joan Laporta said he plans to extend the German coach’s contract until 2028. Flick said it's not the time to talk about renewing a contract which ends in 2027, but hinted he was keen to end his career at Barcelona.

“Everyone knows I’m happy here, but I also need to talk with my family,” the 61-year-old Flick said. “There will be time for that. I love working here. I’ve got a fantastic family and great support in Barcelona. In football, I always aim for the highest level. I’m not thinking about leaving. Barça will be my last club.”

He did not elaborate on a possible plan in place for his retirement.

Laporta was re-elected on Sunday for another five years after winning a leadership vote among members.

Flick, a former Bayern Munich and Germany coach, came to Barcelona in 2024.

Sports

Van de Ven Insists It’s ‘Nonsense’ to Say Players Don’t Care About Spurs’ Plight

Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven attends a press conference in London, Great Britain, 17 March 2026. Tottenham Hotspur will face Atletico Madrid on 18 March 2026 in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg match in London. (EPA)
Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven attends a press conference in London, Great Britain, 17 March 2026. Tottenham Hotspur will face Atletico Madrid on 18 March 2026 in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg match in London. (EPA)
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Van de Ven Insists It’s ‘Nonsense’ to Say Players Don’t Care About Spurs’ Plight

Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven attends a press conference in London, Great Britain, 17 March 2026. Tottenham Hotspur will face Atletico Madrid on 18 March 2026 in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg match in London. (EPA)
Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven attends a press conference in London, Great Britain, 17 March 2026. Tottenham Hotspur will face Atletico Madrid on 18 March 2026 in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg match in London. (EPA)

Micky van de Ven is adamant that it is "nonsense" to suggest that Tottenham Hotspur players are indifferent about the threat of relegation from the Premier League.

Spurs are just a point above the bottom three and their season went from bad to worse with a club-record sixth consecutive defeat in a 5-2 loss away to Atletico Madrid last week in the first leg of a last-16 tie in the Champions League.

Spurs did rally with a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday to provide fresh belief and Van de Ven, criticized for a red card against Crystal Palace earlier this month, has dismissed accusations that some players have "checked out" in the battle to beat the drop.

"The only thing I can say is it's not true," he told reporters on Tuesday on the eve of the second-leg tie with Atletico.

"It would be strange if a player was in the dressing room now and saying, 'I'm going to leave either way, or... it doesn't affect me'. So, I think it's just nonsense."

The 24-year-old added: "The other day when we read something about one guy that said to everyone that he's probably going to leave and doesn't care about the situation they're in... People are just making things up.

"It's just frustrating for us because it brings so much more trouble, because the fans are starting to believe this.

"Trust me, all the people involved on the pitch, the staff, the players, everyone, they care so much about the situation we're in right now.

"We just want to turn things around and that's the most important, that's the main focus for everyone."

Van de Ven could only watch on television, following his red card against Palace, as Spurs battled hard for a point at Anfield and the Dutch defender is eager to play his part against Atletico, and in Sunday's relegation 'six-pointer' with Nottingham Forest.

"What they showed, the character they showed in the game was unbelievable, and when Richy (Richarlison) scores and it's 1-1, it's just happiness at home, screaming towards the TV," he said.

"Tomorrow it's just a beautiful game. We have nothing to lose. We want to do something special.

"We're going to do everything to change things around, tomorrow first, and then afterwards in the Premier League games coming up."