عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Hail International Rally Celebrates Two Decades of Champions

Fares Al-Moshana won the 2017 edition, Issa Al-Dossary claimed the titles in 2018 and 2019, and Saleh Al-Abdulali captured the February 2020 edition - SPA
Fares Al-Moshana won the 2017 edition, Issa Al-Dossary claimed the titles in 2018 and 2019, and Saleh Al-Abdulali captured the February 2020 edition - SPA
TT
TT

Hail International Rally Celebrates Two Decades of Champions

Fares Al-Moshana won the 2017 edition, Issa Al-Dossary claimed the titles in 2018 and 2019, and Saleh Al-Abdulali captured the February 2020 edition - SPA
Fares Al-Moshana won the 2017 edition, Issa Al-Dossary claimed the titles in 2018 and 2019, and Saleh Al-Abdulali captured the February 2020 edition - SPA

The Hail International Rally is regarded as one of the most prominent and long-established desert rally events in the region, having cemented its status over the years as a major arena for challenge and competition in motorsports since its inaugural edition in 2006.

Throughout nearly two decades, the rally has seen fierce competition for the championship title across its various editions, crowning an elite group of top Saudi, Arab, and international drivers, with the 2026 edition continuing this rich legacy of achievement and success.

The record of Hail Rally champions includes Saudi driver Farhan Al-Shammari, who won the inaugural edition in 2006, followed by Rajeh Al-Shammari in 2007, Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah in 2008, and Saudi driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi, who secured the titles in 2009 and 2010, SPA reported.

Al-Attiyah returned to win in 2011, followed by another title for Al-Rajhi in 2012, while Czech driver Miroslav Zapletal claimed the first European victory in 2013. Saudi driver Ibrahim Al-Muhanna was crowned champion in 2014, after which Al-Rajhi extended his dominance by winning the 2015 and 2016 titles.

Fares Al-Moshana won the 2017 edition, Issa Al-Dossary claimed the titles in 2018 and 2019, and Saleh Al-Abdulali captured the February 2020 edition.

The December 2020 edition saw Al-Attiyah take the “Baja 1” title, while Spanish driver Carlos Sainz claimed the “Baja 2” title, before Al-Attiyah returned to win the championships in 2021 and 2023. Al-Rajhi secured the titles in 2022 and 2024, concluding the record by winning the 2025 edition.

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

Infantino Set to Take his FIFA Re-election Campaign to Japan

FILE -FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives to attend the opening game of the Women's U20 World Cup opening match between Poland and Argentina in Katowice, Poland, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Beata Zawrzel, File)
FILE -FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives to attend the opening game of the Women's U20 World Cup opening match between Poland and Argentina in Katowice, Poland, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Beata Zawrzel, File)
TT
TT

Infantino Set to Take his FIFA Re-election Campaign to Japan

FILE -FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives to attend the opening game of the Women's U20 World Cup opening match between Poland and Argentina in Katowice, Poland, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Beata Zawrzel, File)
FILE -FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives to attend the opening game of the Women's U20 World Cup opening match between Poland and Argentina in Katowice, Poland, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Beata Zawrzel, File)

Gianni Infantino's campaign for re-election as FIFA president is set to move this week to Japan and a meeting scheduled for Wednesday with the Asian Football Confederation.

This comes after Infantino apologized last week in Zurich, Switzerland, to FIFA's 37-member ruling council — which he chairs — for “mistakes” he made in assembling a now-scrapped $4.2 billion sell-off plan for the World Cup.

The council is the main decision-making body at FIFA with a global spread of officials.
The planned meeting with Asian soccer leaders is to be held in a five-star hotel in Tokyo with the media largely excluded.

Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the president of the AFC, expressed early opposition to Infantino and his plan to create a subsidiary to run the World Cup, but may have moved closer to Infantino, The Athletic has reported.

Infantino has offered to critics an open, independent review of how FIFA makes its decisions.

An Associated Press tally indicates Infantino is close to landing the simple majority of the 211 FIFA member federations he needs to win re-election in March to a fourth term. Some of the deciding votes could some from Asia.

The AFC had joined the criticism of Infantino in the wake of the proposed World Cup sell-off, but its members appear far from united. Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host, has expressed support for the FIFA leader while Jordan has declared its opposition.

The FIFA Council is scheduled to meet next on Dec. 16 in Doha, Qatar.

The Associated Press count shows 87 of the 211 FIFA Member federations have indicated support for Infantino – either in individual comments or by endorsing statements of support by their regional confederations. The largest block of opposition comes from Europe.

No sitting FIFA president has lost an election since 1974. The deadline for a candidate to file against Infantino is Nov. 18.

FIFA rules state candidates must have “played an active role in association football (e.g. as a player or an official within FIFA, a confederation or an association, etc.) for two of the last five years before being proposed.” They must have “declarations of support” from at least five of the 211 members.

Sports

PSG Takes on Barcelona in Champions League Highlight Despite French Protests

Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick (C) talks to Barcelona's players during a training session at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on October 19, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League first round day 3 football match between Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick (C) talks to Barcelona's players during a training session at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on October 19, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League first round day 3 football match between Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
TT
TT

PSG Takes on Barcelona in Champions League Highlight Despite French Protests

Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick (C) talks to Barcelona's players during a training session at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on October 19, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League first round day 3 football match between Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick (C) talks to Barcelona's players during a training session at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on October 19, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League first round day 3 football match between Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

In a test for both teams and the strained French police, Paris Saint-Germain hosts Barcelona in a Champions League showcase against the backdrop of violent unrest across France.

PSG and Barcelona head the standings, though Liverpool or even surprising Stuttgart could end Tuesday on top of the table, The Associated Press reported.

The game, which will need a robust security presence, takes place in a very different context to when PSG beat Manchester City 4-2 away last week.

What began in France as protests against school conditions has expanded to include a wide range of other groups and causes. There have been violent clashes, fires and looting.

An emergency meeting with top government officials on Monday confirmed PSG-Barcelona and other soccer games in European competitions can go ahead after the possibility of calling off games and other big events was discussed.

Liverpool could go top with a win over Villarreal if PSG and Barcelona draw, or on goal difference if Andoni Iraola's team can rout its Spanish opposition. Stuttgart has won both of its games but Atletico Madrid will be sterner opposition for the German team.

Man City aims to get back on track after last week's PSG loss when it faces Greece's AEK Athens, while troubled Napoli seeks a first point against Norway's Bodø/Glimt.

Also, Roma plays Slovan Bratislava, Borussia Dortmund heads to Azerbaijan to face Sabah, Porto hosts PSV Eindhoven and Fenerbahce takes on Slavia Prague.

Sports

Swiatek Withdraws from Ningbo Open with Left Thigh Injury

Iga Swiatek of Poland receives a medical timeout in a women's singles semifinal match against her compatriot Maja Chwalinska during the 2026 Wuhan Open tennis tournament in Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (Chinatopix Via AP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland receives a medical timeout in a women's singles semifinal match against her compatriot Maja Chwalinska during the 2026 Wuhan Open tennis tournament in Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (Chinatopix Via AP)
TT
TT

Swiatek Withdraws from Ningbo Open with Left Thigh Injury

Iga Swiatek of Poland receives a medical timeout in a women's singles semifinal match against her compatriot Maja Chwalinska during the 2026 Wuhan Open tennis tournament in Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (Chinatopix Via AP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland receives a medical timeout in a women's singles semifinal match against her compatriot Maja Chwalinska during the 2026 Wuhan Open tennis tournament in Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (Chinatopix Via AP)

Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the Ningbo Open in China because of an injured left thigh, diminishing her chances of contesting the season-ending WTA Finals at Indian Wells next month.

The six-time major winner lost to eventual champion Maja Chwalinska in the semifinals at the Wuhan Open last week a nd struggled at times in that match.

“After careful consideration, I’ve decided to withdraw from the tournament,” Swiatek said in a statement posted on social media Tuesday by the Ningbo tournament.

“I’ve been experiencing an ongoing problem with my left thigh over the past weeks and I feel that giving myself the time to rest and recover is the right decision,” The Associated Press quoted her as saying.

Swiatek was one of three players in contention for the last spot in the eight-player field for the WTA Finals with Karolina Muchova and Marta Kostyuk ahead of tournaments this week.

The WTA, in a preview of the Ningbo tournament, said if Swiatek didn't reach the quarterfinals and Kostyuk doesn't reach the final here, Muchova will secure the remaining spot for the season-ending tournament at Indian Wells starting Nov. 8.