LONDON: On Saturday Mohamed Salah will line up for Liverpool in the Champions League final against Real Madrid.
He will do so not only with the every member of the Red army behind him, but also the entire Arab world.
That is testament to his stratospheric rise — over the past nine months the Egyptian ace has gone from being a very good player, but one deemed as needing to justify his $52 million transfer fee, to a global superstar and cultural phenomenon.
As with any sporting star, with the adulation and attention comes potential pitfalls and, invariably, a new lexicon. So it was not surprising to hear the 25-year-old speak of “his brand” when he was unveiled as DHL’s new brand ambassador for the MENA region on Wednesday. Stars becoming brands is almost cliche now and one that Salah has clearly taken on board — he now has even his own logo.
“We are proud of him. Over the past two years, no has done what he has done. He has proved himself as one of the best and we wanted to deal with no one else, just him,” CEO of DHL in the Middle East and North Africa, Nour Suliman, said. “He is competing on another level and is the star of the Arab world. No one in the Arab world has done what he is doing. We are very proud to have him.”
Those types of corporate events, where a big multinational signs a deal with the latest big, young thing, lend themselves to the odd dollop of hyperbole. But there is little doubting the impact Salah has had on the pitch for Liverpool and Egypt, and off it in becoming a true Arab icon. And his utterance of the word “brand” is where Salah as a walking cliche begins and ends.
Every year in Egypt ahead of Ramadan the best dates are named after the most popular person in the country — the man or woman revered by the nation at that moment. In the past, the staple food of the holy month has tended to be named after political leaders.
This year there was no competition: The most succulent date has been named after Salah. At the DHL press conference he was presented with a packet of dates emblazoned with his face and name.
It said much about the man that he both looked and confessed to being “embarrassed.”
This week the British Museum in London displayed Salah’s green football boots as part of its Modern Egypt exhibition. And in a documentary about the player broadcast in the UK, he was credited with increasing attendances at England’s oldest mosque in Liverpool and improving the image of Islam by Dr. Abdul Hamid, a trustee at the mosque.
So while the signing of big deals hints he is very much the modern-day footballing superstar, everything else off the pitch suggests something else.
Salah is on social media, but does not, like many sports stars, live on it; he knows he is a hero for many, but pays more than mere lip service to his position as a role model; and he embraces attention (of both opposition defenders and fans) rather than seemingly getting annoyed by it if things are not going his way.
“I am not heavy into social media, I am on it and aware of it, but I don’t follow it that closely. It does not influence me,” he said.
“I am aware young people look up to me and I feel great that they do and that I can influence a young footballer to play better or train harder, or do better; that that makes me proud.”
This season Salah has done what few footballers have done before, transcend the game, and he has done so in a way characterized by benevolence rather than bluster.
Against Real Madrid he can again illustrate just what a talent he is — and if he does lead Liverpool to their sixth European Cup triumph, you get the feeling he will not let the adulation go to his head.
Benevolence, not bluster: How ‘Brand Salah’ bucks the trend
Benevolence, not bluster: How ‘Brand Salah’ bucks the trend
- Mohamed Salah lines up for Liverpool in the Champions League final against Real Madrid on Saturday
- Mohamed Salah has been unveiled as DHL’s new brand ambassador for the MENA region
Afghanistan’s female cricketers reunite for a match after 3 years in exile due to Taliban ban
- Since fleeing Afghanistan where women cricketers are banned from playing, they have been based in Canberra and Melbourne
- Afghanistan is a full member of the ICC and a condition of that status should require it to have a women’s side
MELBOURNE: Cricketer Firooza Amiri says her team will “represent millions of women in Afghanistan who are denied their rights” when the side reunites after more than three years for an exhibition game in Australia on Thursday.
An Afghanistan Women’s XI will play a Cricket Without Borders XI in the match at Melbourne’s Junction Oval. It will bring together 21 female players who were formerly contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) before the Taliban regime re-took control in August 2021.
Since fleeing Afghanistan, the women cricketers. banned from playing in their home country, have been based in Canberra and Melbourne and playing for various club teams in local competitions.
Amiri and Nahida Sapan, who will captain the Afghanistan Women’s XI, thanked the Australian government and Cricket Australia for their support in promoting women’s sport.
“It’s very special for all of us to get back together after three years, leaving everything and losing everything back home in Afghanistan and come together again,” Amiri said this week.
Amiri was forced to flee her home country when the Taliban took control. She and her family first traveled to Pakistan and then were evacuated to Australia.
“I also want to express deepest gratitude for everyone who support us. Your support means the world to us,” Sapan said. “Together we are building not just a team. We are building a movement for change and improvement.
“This is a very historic moment for all of Afghan women. This match can open doors for Afghan women for education, sport and our future.”
Sapan told the BBC in 2023 that her family received death threats from government officials after the Taliban re-took power. The threatening messages included: “If we find you, we will not let you live.”
Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley praised the resilience of the players. He said it was a powerful moment when they were presented with their team shirts for the exhibition match.
“To see their playing shirts for the first time with their names and numbers on the back, you can see how much it means to them,” Hockley said. “I’m just inspired by their resilience, their love for the game.”
Hockley said CA would continue to “advocate” for change at a global level through discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC). He said Thursday’s game represented an important first step.
“This match shines the light on the fact that in places around the world, not every woman and girl has the chance to play,” Hockley said. “We continue to advocate at the ICC and continue to engage with the ACB (Afghanistan Cricket Board).
“It’s such a complex situation. It’s bigger than cricket.”
Under Taliban rule, the Afghanistan Cricket Board cannot field a national women’s team because the country’s laws forbid women from playing sport, studying and medical education, moves that have been criticized by world groups including the International Criminal Court.
Afghanistan is a full member of the ICC and a condition of that status should require it to have a women’s side.
England and Australia are refusing to participate in direct series against Afghanistan in protest, but continue to play against it in ICC events, such as next month’s Champions Trophy global event in Pakistan.
England cricket captain Jos Buttler said last week that his side should not boycott a match against the Afghanistan men’s team when they are scheduled to play in the Champions Trophy on Feb. 26 in Lahore. South Africa’s sport minister, however, has urged the Proteas to boycott their match against Afghanistan in the same tournament.
Asked why Australia was prepared to play a men’s game against Afghanistan in an ICC event, but not in a bilateral series, Hockley said CA was “duty-bound” to play all its scheduled fixtures at ICC events.
“We’re really trying to do everything we can in our power to make a difference,” Hockley said. “We’ve played Afghanistan in other ICC events. You have to draw a line somewhere and I think we’ve made our stance pretty clear.”
Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan from Afghanistan’s men’s national cricket team have posted support of women’s education on social media after the Taliban closed training institutes for nursing and midwives.
Hockley said he hoped Thursday’s match, the format for which was not announced, would become an annual one and that it would “promote lots of conversations.”
“You need moments like this to prompt real change. The first piece is awareness,” Hockley said. “Hopefully this game just raises awareness. I think it’s a real beacon of hope.”
Afghanistan’s female cricketers reunite for a match after 3 years in exile due to Taliban ban
- An Afghanistan Women’s XI will play a Cricket Without Borders XI in the match at Melbourne’s Junction Oval
- Since fleeing Afghanistan, the women cricketers, banned from playing in their home country, have been based in Canberra and Melbourne and playing for various club teams in local competitions
MELBOURNE: Cricketer Firooza Amiri says her team will “represent millions of women in Afghanistan who are denied their rights” when the side reunites after more than three years for an exhibition game in Australia on Thursday.
An Afghanistan Women’s XI will play a Cricket Without Borders XI in the match at Melbourne’s Junction Oval. It will bring together 21 female players who were formerly contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) before the Taliban regime re-took control in August 2021.
Since fleeing Afghanistan, the women cricketers, banned from playing in their home country, have been based in Canberra and Melbourne and playing for various club teams in local competitions.
Amiri and Nahida Sapan, who will captain the Afghanistan Women’s XI, thanked the Australian government and Cricket Australia for their support in promoting women’s sport.
“It’s very special for all of us to get back together after three years, leaving everything and losing everything back home in Afghanistan and come together again,” Amiri said this week.
Amiri was forced to flee her home country when the Taliban took control. She and her family first traveled to Pakistan and then were evacuated to Australia.
“I also want to express deepest gratitude for everyone who support us. Your support means the world to us,” Sapan said. “Together we are building not just a team. We are building a movement for change and improvement.
“This is a very historic moment for all of Afghan women. This match can open doors for Afghan women for education, sport and our future.”
Sapan told the BBC in 2023 that her family received death threats from government officials after the Taliban re-took power. The threatening messages included: “If we find you, we will not let you live.”
Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley praised the resilience of the players. He said it was a powerful moment when they were presented with their team shirts for the exhibition match.
“To see their playing shirts for the first time with their names and numbers on the back, you can see how much it means to them,” Hockley said. “I’m just inspired by their resilience, their love for the game.”
Hockley said CA would continue to “advocate” for change at a global level through discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC). He said Thursday’s game represented an important first step.
“This match shines the light on the fact that in places around the world, not every woman and girl has the chance to play,” Hockley said. “We continue to advocate at the ICC and continue to engage with the ACB (Afghanistan Cricket Board).
“It’s such a complex situation. It’s bigger than cricket.”
Under Taliban rule, the Afghanistan Cricket Board cannot field a national women’s team because the country’s laws forbid women from playing sport, studying and medical education, moves that have been criticized by world groups including the International Criminal Court.
Afghanistan is a full member of the ICC and a condition of that status should require it to have a women’s side.
England and Australia are refusing to participate in direct series against Afghanistan in protest, but continue to play against it in ICC events, such as next month’s Champions Trophy global event in Pakistan.
England cricket captain Jos Buttler said last week that his side should not boycott a match against the Afghanistan men’s team when they are scheduled to play in the Champions Trophy on Feb. 26 in Lahore. South Africa’s sport minister, however, has urged the Proteas to boycott their match against Afghanistan in the same tournament.
Asked why Australia was prepared to play a men’s game against Afghanistan in an ICC event, but not in a bilateral series, Hockley said CA was “duty-bound” to play all its scheduled fixtures at ICC events.
“We’re really trying to do everything we can in our power to make a difference,” Hockley said. “We’ve played Afghanistan in other ICC events. You have to draw a line somewhere and I think we’ve made our stance pretty clear.”
Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan from Afghanistan’s men’s national cricket team have posted support of women’s education on social media after the Taliban closed training institutes for nursing and midwives.
Hockley said he hoped Thursday’s match, the format for which was not announced, would become an annual one and that it would “promote lots of conversations.”
“You need moments like this to prompt real change. The first piece is awareness,” Hockley said. “Hopefully this game just raises awareness. I think it’s a real beacon of hope.”
India’s Bumrah named cricketer of the year after stellar 2024
- Bumrah beat England batters Harry Brook and Joe Root as well as Australia’s Travis Head to the award — the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, given by the sport’s governing body
- New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr was voted women’s cricketer of the year to win the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
NEW DELHI: India pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been named men’s cricketer of the year for 2024, the International Cricket Council announced Tuesday, a day after he won the Test award.
Bumrah, 31, ended last year as the top wicket-taker in Tests with 71 wickets and inspired India to the T20 World Cup title in June.
“The year 2024 was incredibly special — winning the men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados and also contributing as much as I could across all three formats of the game,” said Bumrah.
“I dedicate this award to everyone who has believed in me, the power of hard work and dreams, and to bowlers worldwide who continue to inspire and strive for excellence.”
Bumrah beat England batters Harry Brook and Joe Root as well as Australia’s Travis Head to the award — the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, given by the sport’s governing body.
He is fifth Indian to receive the award after Rahul Dravid (2004), Sachin Tendulkar (2010), Ravichandran Ashwin (2016) and Virat Kohli (2017, 2018).
Bumrah has claimed 443 wickets in 204 international matches since his debut for India in 2016.
New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr was voted women’s cricketer of the year to win the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, after she won the T20 cricketer of the year on Saturday.
Kerr becomes the first New Zealander to win the trophy after she inspired the White Ferns to their women’s T20 World Cup victory in October last year.
The 24-year-old overcame South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu and Australia’s Annabel Sutherland to win the award.
Liverpool rotate squad for game at PSV Eindhoven to rest Salah, Van Dijk and others
- The Reds have already advanced to the round of 16
- manager Arne Slot opted to take a second-string squad to the Netherlands
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool will give some star players including Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk a rest for the Champions League game at PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
The Reds have already advanced to the round of 16, so manager Arne Slot opted to take a second-string squad to the Netherlands.
Along with Salah and Van Dijk, the other players who were left in Merseyside were Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz.
Liverpool are in first place and can finish no lower than second in the league phase of the Champions League.
On Tuesday, Slot said with the packed schedule it was a chance for players to “get some freshness back.”
The Premier League leaders play at seventh-place Bournemouth on Saturday.
ABB FIA Formula E World Championship announces rookie free practice session at Jeddah E-Prix
- ‘It’s a crucial next step in fulfilling our commitment to nurturing the next generation of racing talent,’ says chief championship officer
- Teams must nominate driver, allocate race car number 7 days prior to event
JEDDAH: The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship announced on Tuesday a rookie free practice session designed for drivers who have never raced in the championship, as part of the Jeddah E-Prix.
Scheduled for Feb. 13, the 40-minute session will provide experienced racing talent from other motorsport championships valuable track time to discover the new, groundbreaking technology of the Formula E GEN3 Evo car.
Alberto Longo, Formula E’s co-founder and chief championship officer, said: “Following on from the success of our official women’s test in November, we’re thrilled to introduce this dedicated rookie free practice session at the Jeddah E-Prix.
“It’s a crucial next step in fulfilling our commitment to nurturing the next generation of racing talent, including young women.”
The opportunity to drive the cutting-edge GEN3 Evo car will, according to Longo, provide invaluable experience for young drivers, and “we believe it will significantly contribute to developing the future stars of Formula E and motorsport as a whole.”
Pablo Martino, the head of the Formula E Championship, said: “It’s crucial for the FIA to allow drivers to develop their careers through FIA world championships, and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has one of the most competitive grids around.”
Teams must nominate a driver and allocate a race car number seven days prior to the event, meaning the lineup will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The initiative follows the successful inaugural women’s test in Madrid, and further emphasizes the dedication of Formula E and the FIA to creating diverse and inclusive pathways for the next generation of racing drivers.
