Top Stars Poised for Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo on January 17

AlUla is preparing to host the 2025 edition of the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo tournament om January 17 and 18. (SPA)
AlUla is preparing to host the 2025 edition of the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo tournament om January 17 and 18. (SPA)
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Top Stars Poised for Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo on January 17

AlUla is preparing to host the 2025 edition of the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo tournament om January 17 and 18. (SPA)
AlUla is preparing to host the 2025 edition of the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo tournament om January 17 and 18. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s AlUla is preparing to host the 2025 edition of the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo tournament, featuring world-class competition among the sport’s leading stars, on January 17 and 18.

This year’s edition of the tournament promises a top-notch sporting gathering packed with surprises.

The tournament will take place at the AlFursan Equestrian Village, nestled within the stunning natural landscape of the ancient oasis city.

Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo, the only global organized desert polo competition, stands out as a premier sporting and community event in Saudi Arabia and a must-go destination for equestrian and event enthusiasts with elite professional polo players set to compete for prestigious awards.

The tournament is expected to draw a large global audience, alongside royal dignitaries, senior figures, and polo sport enthusiasts, further solidifying AlUla’s status as a leading international destination for prestigious cultural and sporting events.



Leipzig Player Misses Bundesliga Game after Being Late for Bus

Leipzig’s head coach Marco Rose waits for the start of the Champions League soccer match between RB Leipzig and Sporting CP at the RB Arena in Leipzig, Germany, on Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
Leipzig’s head coach Marco Rose waits for the start of the Champions League soccer match between RB Leipzig and Sporting CP at the RB Arena in Leipzig, Germany, on Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
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Leipzig Player Misses Bundesliga Game after Being Late for Bus

Leipzig’s head coach Marco Rose waits for the start of the Champions League soccer match between RB Leipzig and Sporting CP at the RB Arena in Leipzig, Germany, on Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
Leipzig’s head coach Marco Rose waits for the start of the Champions League soccer match between RB Leipzig and Sporting CP at the RB Arena in Leipzig, Germany, on Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)

Leipzig defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu missed his team’s Bundesliga match at Augsburg because he was late for the bus, Reuters reported.

Leipzig coach Marco Rose told broadcaster DAZN before Friday’s 0-0 draw that Bitshiabu was supposed to be in the squad, but the 19-year-old French defender failed to show up in time for the team’s bus to the airport that morning.

“Chad missed the departure this morning and therefore also the flight,” Rose said. “So you can’t be there at the end of the day either.”

Bitshiabu could have arguably have made the game traveling by bus. Leipzig is roughly four hours from Augsburg by road, and the match had a late kickoff.

Bitshiabu, who has made 11 league appearances this season for Leipzig, had good chances of playing in Augsburg with captain Willi Orban suspended for his red card against St. Pauli the week before, and Benjamin Henrichs, Xaver Schlager, Assan Ouedraogo and Antonio Nusa all out with injuries.

Rose only had six outfield players available as substitutes, with one seat on the substitutes’ bench left free because of his shortage of players.

Serbian right back Kosta Nedeljković went on to make his Leipzig debut late on.

The draw in Augsburg meant Stuttgart could overtake Leipzig on Saturday with a win at home over Wolfsburg to move fourth, the last place for Champions League qualification.