Imane Khelif's Olympic Gold Inspires Algerian Girls to Take Up Boxing

FILE - Girls train at Ahmed Qayed school, where Olympic boxer Imane Khelif trained as a youngster, in Tiaret, Algeria, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul, File)
FILE - Girls train at Ahmed Qayed school, where Olympic boxer Imane Khelif trained as a youngster, in Tiaret, Algeria, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul, File)
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Imane Khelif's Olympic Gold Inspires Algerian Girls to Take Up Boxing

FILE - Girls train at Ahmed Qayed school, where Olympic boxer Imane Khelif trained as a youngster, in Tiaret, Algeria, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul, File)
FILE - Girls train at Ahmed Qayed school, where Olympic boxer Imane Khelif trained as a youngster, in Tiaret, Algeria, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul, File)

In the weeks since Algeria's Imane Khelif won an Olympic gold medal in women's boxing, athletes and coaches in the North African nation say national enthusiasm is inspiring newfound interest in the sport, particularly among women.
Khelif's image is practically everywhere, featured in advertisements at airports, on highway billboards and in boxing gyms, The Associated Press reported. The 25-year-old welterweight's success in Paris has vaulted her to national hero status, especially after Algerians rallied behind her in the face of uninformed speculation about her gender and eligibility to compete.
Amateur boxer Zougar Amina, a medical student who's been practicing for a year, called Khelif an idol and role model.
“Since I’ve been boxing, my personality has changed: I’m more confident, less stressed," she said, describing the sport as “therapy to fight shyness, to learn to defend myself, to gain self-confidence.”
In Ain Taya, the seaside town east of Algiers where Amina boxes, what local media have termed “Khelifmania” is on full display.
Behind a door wallpapered with a large photograph of the gold medalist, punching bags hang from the ceiling of the local gym, and young girls warm up near a boxing ring surrounded by shelves of masks, gloves and mouth guards.
The 23 young women and girls who train at the gym — an old converted church — all dream of becoming the next Khelif, their coach Malika Abassi said.
Abassi said the women imitate Khelif's post-win celebrations, hopping around the boxing ring and saluting fans. She's worried that the interest in boxing will grow so rapidly that her gym won't be able to handle it.
“We’re getting calls from parents wanting to sign up their daughters," she said. "I’m the only coach and our gym is small.”
Algerians from all walks of life flocked to squares in the country's major cities to watch Khelif's matches broadcast on projectors. Noureddine Bouteldja, a former amateur boxer and sports journalist, said Khelif has transcended boxing and become a “social phenomenon” throughout Algeria thanks to her personal story and the scrutiny she faced from famous people around the world who — unlike Algerians — saw her advancing in the Olympics as part of the culture war over sex, gender and sport.
Algerians rallied behind Khelif in the face of criticism from Donald Trump, Elon Musk, J.K. Rowling and others who falsely claimed she was transgender. They largely interpreted attacks on her as attacks on their nation itself. And unlike much of the international community that coalesced behind Khelif, on social media most couldn't register the thought of a transgender athlete from Algeria.
“It’s the victory of a woman who has shown extraordinary resilience and phenomenal strength of character in the face of the campaign to denigrate her gender," Bouteldja said.
Boxing coaches and administrators said Khelif's rise from a poor child in rural central Algeria to worldwide fame has made her an inspirational figure. Mourad Meziane, head of the Algerian Boxing League, expects a huge spike in registration among young women at the start of this school year in mid-September.
Algeria currently has 30 regional boxing leagues and 10,000 athletes participating nationwide, he said.
“The impact is inevitable and will only be very positive for women’s boxing in Algeria," Meziane said.



Saudi Games 2024 Torch Arrives in NEOM

NEOM Deputy CEO Rayan Fayez received the Saudi Games torch from footballer Salman Al-Faraj - SPA
NEOM Deputy CEO Rayan Fayez received the Saudi Games torch from footballer Salman Al-Faraj - SPA
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Saudi Games 2024 Torch Arrives in NEOM

NEOM Deputy CEO Rayan Fayez received the Saudi Games torch from footballer Salman Al-Faraj - SPA
NEOM Deputy CEO Rayan Fayez received the Saudi Games torch from footballer Salman Al-Faraj - SPA

The torch for the third edition of the Saudi Games 2024 arrived in NEOM on Tuesday as part of its promotional tour for the largest national sports event in the Kingdom. The event will be held in Riyadh from October 3 to October 17.
Amid great enthusiasm and a celebratory atmosphere, the torch traveled through the historical site of Bajdah in NEOM.
NEOM Deputy CEO Rayan Fayez received the Saudi Games torch from footballer Salman Al-Faraj, former Saudi national team and Al Hilal player, and current NEOM team member.

Al-Faraj has won the Saudi League eight times, the King's Cup five times, the Saudi Super Cup three times, and the AFC Champions League twice. He also represented Saudi Arabia in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
The torch was then carried by the Saudi national padel player Omar Al-Thaqib, champion of the Saudi Games in both 2022 and 2023.
The Saudi Games torch began its journey in Riyadh, traveling through various regions of the Kingdom to embody the spirit of the Saudi Games, based on the values of friendship and peace. The torch carries a deep humanitarian message of peace, love and optimism, encouraging citizens and residents of the Kingdom to participate in this major sporting event.

Meanwhile, governor of the Qassim Region Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz praised the unlimited support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for sports and athletes.
This support has contributed to making the Kinrgdom a global sports destination in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030, according to SPA.

Prince Faisal stressed that the Saudi Games represent an important step in creating a new generation of athletes capable of raising the Kingdom's name high in international arenas. He also appreciated the significant role of Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal in developing the sports sector and achieving remarkable progress in recent years.
Prince Faisal made the remarks as he received the torch of the third Saudi Games at the Prince Sultan Educational Complex School from Abdulaziz Al-Sanani, the former director of the Ministry of Sport branch in the Qassim Region.
At the event, the torch was carried by judo medalist Abdulelah Albali, who won gold in the Gulf Championship in Bahrain, bronze in the Arab Championship in Tunisia, the Jeju International Championship in Korea, and Africa Open Championship in Tunisia as well as silver in the 2023 Saudi Games. He was the Kingdom's champion from 2022 to 2024.