Saudi Ministers of Sport and Education Inaugurate 1st Sports School for Talented Athletes

The groundbreaking partnership ceremony between the ministries and the academy was held at Prince Faisal bin Fahad Olympic Complex in Riyadh. SPA
The groundbreaking partnership ceremony between the ministries and the academy was held at Prince Faisal bin Fahad Olympic Complex in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi Ministers of Sport and Education Inaugurate 1st Sports School for Talented Athletes

The groundbreaking partnership ceremony between the ministries and the academy was held at Prince Faisal bin Fahad Olympic Complex in Riyadh. SPA
The groundbreaking partnership ceremony between the ministries and the academy was held at Prince Faisal bin Fahad Olympic Complex in Riyadh. SPA

Minister of Sport and chairman of the Mahd Sports Academy's board of directors Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan inaugurated the first Government Sports School for Talented Athletes at the middle school level.

The groundbreaking partnership ceremony between the ministries and the academy was held at the academy's headquarters in Prince Faisal bin Fahad Olympic Complex in Riyadh.

Mahd Sports Academy President Abdullah bin Faisal Hammad outlined the academy's achievements since its establishment in 2021. He noted that the Sports School for Talented Athletes will build on the academy's successes and offer talented individuals both educational and sports training in one place.

These individuals will serve as role models for the sports sector, graduating with the knowledge and ambition to achieve championships and titles in future competitions.

He also disclosed that 354 talented individuals in football, athletics, and martial arts were enrolled in the first phase, and the academy aims to identify and nurture one million talents in various sports.

The academy aims to become a global leader in discovering sports talents through its research and innovation center.

Additionally, he highlighted the collaboration with the Ministry of Education on various programs, including the Tamheed program, which involves physical and technical assessments for students in public schools, enabling them to gather information and measurements for nearly half a million students.



Man United’s Fernandes Took an Unusual Decision to Face Questions after His Red Card against Spurs

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - September 29, 2024 Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes is shown a red card by referee. (Chris Kavanagh Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith)
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - September 29, 2024 Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes is shown a red card by referee. (Chris Kavanagh Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith)
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Man United’s Fernandes Took an Unusual Decision to Face Questions after His Red Card against Spurs

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - September 29, 2024 Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes is shown a red card by referee. (Chris Kavanagh Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith)
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - September 29, 2024 Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes is shown a red card by referee. (Chris Kavanagh Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith)

Bruno Fernandes said he didn’t deserve to be sent off for a dangerous challenge on James Maddison in Manchester United’s Premier League defeat against Tottenham on Sunday.

The United captain was shown a straight red in the 42nd minute at Old Trafford.

“Nobody wants to be sent off, it’s not a good feeling,” said Fernandes, who took the unusual decision of stepping up for post-match interviews following his dismissal. “I didn’t go with the studs. It’s never a red card. Even James Maddison when he gets up he said it’s not a red card.”

Fernandes appeared to slip when attempting a tackle in Tottenham’s half — but then raised his foot and caught Maddison on the shin in a studs-up challenge.

Referee Christopher Kavanagh immediately brandished a red card.

“If this is a red card, we have to look at many other incidents,” Fernandes said. “It is a foul. There is not much contact. If he (the referee) wants to give me a yellow, I agree. I don’t understand why VAR doesn’t call him to the screen.”

According to Opta, which provides statistics for the league, Fernandes became the fourth United captain to be sent off in a Premier League game at Old Trafford.

He joined Roy Keane, Nemanja Vidic and Wayne Rooney on that list.

United trailed 1-0 at halftime after Brennan Johnson’s goal in the third minute.

It got worse for United after the break when Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke sealed a 3-0 win for Spurs.