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Saudi Sport Minister Crowns GCAT Champion

The event featured the participation of 237 horses representing premier studs from around the world. Asharq Al-Awsat
The event featured the participation of 237 horses representing premier studs from around the world. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Sport Minister Crowns GCAT Champion

The event featured the participation of 237 horses representing premier studs from around the world. Asharq Al-Awsat
The event featured the participation of 237 horses representing premier studs from around the world. Asharq Al-Awsat

The final round of the Global Champions Arabians Tour concluded on Saturday in Riyadh as Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal crowned the mare AJ Kayya as the GCAT champion.

The event featured the participation of 237 horses representing premier studs from around the world.

Prince Abdulaziz crowned AJ Kayya as the GCAT champion after earning the highest points across the series, which spanned seven Gulf and European cities, culminating in Riyadh.

Additionally, the colt D Burkan was recognized for achieving the highest cumulative points across all rounds of the competition, while Saudi handler Azzam Al-Qassem was awarded best handler during the final round in Riyadh.

The championship began in February in Doha, Qatar, and continued through five other cities: Abu Dhabi (UAE), Muscat (Oman), Cannes (France), Valkenswaard (Netherlands), and Rome (Italy).

The competition brought together the world’s most prestigious Arabian horse stables, with Riyadh hosting an intense final round to determine the overall champion.

This event aimed to raise the standard of Arabian horse shows, foster high-level competition, promote cultural exchange, provide competitive opportunities, and encourage investment in the Arabian horse sector. These efforts align with the Ministry of Sports’ mission to achieve the sports objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

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Belgian Coach Tedesco Still Believes He’s the Right Man for the Job

Belgium's head coach Domenico Tedesco waves at the end of the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between Belgium and Italy at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on November 14, 2024. (AFP)
Belgium's head coach Domenico Tedesco waves at the end of the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between Belgium and Italy at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on November 14, 2024. (AFP)
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Belgian Coach Tedesco Still Believes He’s the Right Man for the Job

Belgium's head coach Domenico Tedesco waves at the end of the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between Belgium and Italy at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on November 14, 2024. (AFP)
Belgium's head coach Domenico Tedesco waves at the end of the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between Belgium and Italy at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on November 14, 2024. (AFP)

Belgium's 1-0 defeat by Israel in the Nations League on Sunday has ramped up the pressure on Domenico Tedesco but the coach still believes he is the right man for the job.

Belgium have won just two of their last 10 internationals and only avoided bottom place in their group, and relegation from the top tier, because of better head-to-head results against the Israelis.

The 39-year-old has come under scrutiny since Belgium's disappointing exit at the European Championship and while the defeat in Budapest on Sunday did little to ease the pressure Tedesco remained positive about his role.

"I trust my qualities. I trust my staff, I trust my players. I trust the people around me. I know how hard I work," he said.

Belgium's timid tactics have been criticized throughout the six-game campaign despite Tedesco promising a more adventurous approach after they limped out to France in the last 16 at Euro 2024 in July.

"After the Euros I told you that we have to change something in some games, we missed intensity, and that we have to try new players because if we don't do it now we will never do it," Tedesco told reporters.

"This campaign was different because of many, many injuries."

Belgium were without a host of key players for their last group game on Sunday and lost the match late on after a horror defensive error from new cap Matte Smets.

"It was a difficult game, difficult circumstances, and it's difficult to say something harsh to this young team," said Tedesco.

"We are better equipped now to go into the next year's World Cup qualifiers."

While his future was the subject of much debate in Belgium after the loss to Israel, Tedesco was not letting it get to him.

"The negative sentiment is nothing new. I was told this is typically Belgian," he added.

"Naturally the results in the Nations League did not help but in March we have a sort of final in the playoffs to keep our place in the A League. It will be good to start the New Year with a strong focus."