Maha Haddioui setting a shining example for female Arab golfers at Saudi Ladies International

Morocco's Maha Haddioui is hoping for a memorable week in Saudi Arabia. (Golf Saudi)
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Updated 11 November 2020
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Maha Haddioui setting a shining example for female Arab golfers at Saudi Ladies International

  • The 32-year-old Moroccan will be the only Arab professional golfer at the inaugural event in Jeddah

DUBAI: When - as a child - Maha Haddioui would watch with fascination professional golf players in her native Morocco, she could never have imagined that two decades later she would be the first female Arab golfer from her country to be playing on the Ladies European Tour.

Her list of firsts grows by the day. Tomorrow she will be the only professional Arab golfer taking part at the $1million Aramco Saudi Ladies International, presented by PIF at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Jeddah.

She’s been called a role model and trailblazer. An engaging and incredibly calm individual, she seems to be carrying that heavy crown easily, even when the questions seem to always focus on her identity more than her expertise.

With each question comes a smile which belies the obstacles she’s had to overcome in a region of the world where entering into professional sport is not always seen as a natural, or even respectable, career path.

“I started golf when I was 12 and at first it was just a game, just having fun with it,” Haddioui said. “I decided then to go to the US to pursue my education and play golf more seriously. That was ok, but when I finished university and graduated, that’s when I started facing some of the challenges. When I wanted to be a professional golfer and play on the Ladies European Tour, a lot of people kind of didn’t understand why. They didn’t really take it seriously, and I think that was the hardest thing to deal with, the doubts and also I didn’t have other women to play with, I was just used to playing against men. That was something that improved my game.”

“My grandma played a big role in that, she was always telling me it’s ok to be scared, it’s ok to be unsure just go for it head first. That’s what I’ve always done and it’s worked out ok for now.”

Playing at the first ever professional golf tournament for women in Saudi Arabia has shone a light on her personally, and also on the giant steps the game is taking in the region.

“This is a new page for women’s golf, a new page for women in Saudi and I’m really happy and proud to be part of that as the only Arab player, for now. I’m really proud to represent my region in my region. It’s a big tournament, it’s a big statement. As we know, women’s golf is sometimes not getting the recognition it should, and having Saudi put up such a big prize fund for two tournaments in a row is a huge statement to make, to close that gap between women’s and men’s golf.”

Haddioui is no stranger to playing in the Gulf. She has already visited Saudi Arabia four times, and last week she took part at Dubai Moonlight Classic. But she sees differences in the course she steps on tomorrow.

“This week the course is in really, really good shape,” she said. “It’s a course I really know well now, the greens are amazing. It’s going to be quite different from last week, the greens are not as grainy. There is going to be a bit less to worry about when it comes to chipping, and working out the grain. It can be really windy here so that’s going to be a big focus if the wind picks up. Off the tee, it’s a straight forward course, some long holes out there. So, it’s really about hitting the right sides of the fairways and from there trying to hit as close as I can on the greens.”

Haddioui has yet to claim a title on the Ladies European Tour and doesn’t see her participation as a token gesture. She is in Jeddah to win.

“Anywhere would be special for me to get my first win,” she said. “But it would mean a lot more to happen here, because it’s somewhere I call home, it’s an Arab country. I love the course, I love the place and feel really welcome here.”

The Moroccan is also hoping that in coming years more female Arab golfers will join her on the tour, and more events in this part of the world can only raise the profile of the game.

“When I started playing, I used to look up at the pros and go watch the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco,” Haddioui said. “I think it’s really important to be able to see the players, to see how they work, how they play. To see they are human, to realize this is something I can definitely do, and I think in doing that and creating events, it’s going to motivate a lot of young girls to take up the game.”

To celebrate the historic nature of both tournaments, Golf Saudi will this week launch a world-first ‘Ladies First Club’, which will offer free golf to 1,000 women living across the Kingdom.

“This is how you start, golf is huge all over the world and it’s huge when it comes to growing as a person, when it comes to tourism,” Haddioui added. “Saudi is opening up on a lot of matters, and opening up to golf is very important one and I think it’s really going to grow the game and I’m really happy about that.”

While all the events and initiatives are providing opportunities, Haddioui bellies that there needs to be a change in mindset of how golf and other sports are viewed as viable career options for young Arab women.

“To be honest, I’m always so grateful that I was able to take up this game when I was younger,” she said. “It’s something that completely changed my life, travelling the world doing what I love and I wish the same for every woman in the Arab world, to be able to pursue these kinds of opportunities. I would say the hardest thing for me is, when it comes to mentalities, people don’t really understand it or see it as a job.

“Unfortunately, I was told many times, when are you going to take up a serious job, a real job,” she added. “Making people understand that this is my job, that having a good job is not necessarily just being a doctor, that’s something that will help women’s golf, or golf in general, for any athletes. Taking sports more, a sport can be a job, it can be a career, it can be something amazing, so when people start looking to that, I think there will be a lot more great Arab athletes”

She reveals she is delighted sharing her experience and advice with up and coming golfers these days, and can already see the benefits some of them are reaping.

“I get a lot of questions, we had a young 11-year-old who comes and practices with me a lot of times, she just won the World Championship for 11-year-old [age group],” Haddioui said. “Seeing things like this happen, it’s just amazing. And this week there is an amateur playing from Morocco, Ines [Laklalech]. For me it’s the first tournament I play abroad where I’m not the only Moroccan, it’s a huge improvement and something that I’m very happy about.”

But does Haddioui feel like a trailblazer?

“To be honest I don’t really think of it that way,” she said with typical humility. “I’m just doing my thing, I’m just going for my dreams and my goals, and if that can inspire young girls, then I’m very happy about that. Sometimes it is hard being the only one doing something, but if it can inspire other people, then that’s the best gift I can ever have.”

In Jeddah this week, a lot of attention will focus on her, especially if she pull off what would be a sensational win.

You get the impression, however, that she would be as happy, if not happier, when what makes her stand out today, is no longer important enough to get mentioned. Should the day come when there are other talented Arab golfers challenging her, she will know that she has done her job right all along.


Neymar injured again as Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli maintain perfect records in AFC Champions League

Updated 11 sec ago
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Neymar injured again as Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli maintain perfect records in AFC Champions League

  • The Riyadh side defeated Esteghlal of Iran 3-0, while their Jeddah rivals thrashed Iraqi side Al-Shorta 5-1 in the 4th round of games in the league stage
  • Neymar, making only his second appearance in 13 months, came om early in the 2nd half but was withdrawn shortly before full time after pulling up as he stretched for the ball

Apart from another Neymar injury scare, Saudi teams enjoyed another great night in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday, as Al-Hilal defeated Esteghlal of Iran 3-0 and Al-Ahli thrashed Iraqi side Al-Shorta 5-1.

Both teams now have four wins out of four and sit joint top of their 12-team league. Al-Hilal has a slight edge on goal difference but even at this early point, with four games left to play in the league stage, both sides are all-but guaranteed to be one of the top eight teams that advance to the knockout phase.

With Neymar seemingly picking up a muscle injury after 30 minutes of action in Riyadh, Aleksandar Mitrovic was the undoubted star for Al-Hilal, scoring all three goals in what was ultimately a comfortable win, although Esteghlal did almost shock the Blues early on. Gael Kakuta’s perfect cross from the right found the head of a diving Ramin Rezaeian, only for the ball to hit the post, with Yassine Bounou beaten.

After 15 minutes, however, the home side were ahead. A pass from Nasser Al-Dawsari evaded a number of players, both home and away, before finding its way to Mitrovic at the far post, where the Serbian striker made no mistake from close range.

As both teams continued to push forward, Salem Al-Dawsari and Abdullah Al-Hamdan forced the Esteghlal goalkeeper make saves but it was not long before the lead was doubled. Renan Lodi, who has been in fine form this season, with a number of impressive assists, broke free down the left side of the area just after the half-hour mark and pulled a low pass across goal to Mitrovic, who was waiting to take another poacher’s chance.

There were more cheers from the home fans 10 minutes into the second half when Neymar came off the bench for only his second appearance since picking up a serious injury in October 2023. The Brazilian superstar was soon treating fans to flicks and feints as Al-Hilal started to move the ball around even more.

It was no surprise when they sealed the victory 16 minutes from time. Joao Cancelo crossed the ball for that man Mitrovic to once again head home at the far post for his fourth goal of the tournament.

The only downside for Al-Hilal came when Neymar was withdrawn shortly before the final whistle, after pulling up as he stretched for the ball.

Over in Jeddah, Al-Ahli kept pace in the competition with their Riyadh rivals thanks to a convincing 5-1 win against visiting Al-Shorta. The home side have been inconsistent in terms of domestic form but perfect in the Asian campaign so far. And it did not take long for the hosts to take the lead.

With 14 minutes on the clock, Ziyad Al-Johani floated over a long ball from a deep position down the left. Roberto Firmino timed his run perfectly to break into the area and direct an equally perfect header into the top corner of the goal.

Ten minutes later, the men in white had the perfect opportunity to extend their lead and take total control of the tie but Franck Kessie’s effort was saved by Ahmed Basil.

Then, just before the half-hour mark, Al-Shorta were suddenly level as a result of some slack defending that ended with Mohammed Dawood feeding the ball through to Sajad Jassem, who rounded goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi to score.

However, Al-Ahli went in at the break with their lead restored. Deep into added time, Firmino, who had just missed another glorious chance, grabbed his second of the game from close range after Firas Al-Buraikan skipped past the goalkeeper and fed the ball to the former Liverpool star, who found the back of the net from close range.

Firmino returned the favor eight minutes after the restart, delivering a low cross from the right that bounced all the way through to the far post where Al-Buraikan made no mistake.

Just after the hour mark, the Saudi international once again turned provider to feed Riyad Mahrez on the right corner of the area, and the Algerian fired his shot into the opposite corner. In the 65th minute, Al-Johani produced another perfect pass from the left, which Mahrez latched onto to grab his second and complete the 5-1 win.

Al-Nassr, who have two wins and a draw from their first three games in the competition, can move into third place in the group on Tuesday with a win against defending champions Al-Ain, who are second bottom with just one point after two defeats and a draw.


NEOM Beach Games opens with Supertri event

Updated 10 min 11 sec ago
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NEOM Beach Games opens with Supertri event

  • 1,000 international triathletes, coaches, team officials attend

NEOM: The NEOM Beach Games launched its third edition on Sunday with the much-anticipated Supertri NEOM event, which drew 1,000 international triathletes, coaches, and team officials.

The opening competition featured Olympic gold medalists Cassandre Beaugrand and Alex Yee, who claimed victory in the women’s and men’s Supertri NEOM categories.

The event served as the season’s finale of the Supertri League, with Georgia Taylor-Brown and Hayden Wilde emerging as champions for 2024, while Crown Racing triumphed in the teams category.

Jan Paterson, managing director of NEOM Sport, highlighted the significance of this year’s event, saying: “The launch of NEOM Beach Games for the third consecutive year reflects NEOM’s commitment to providing a unique environment that enables emerging and competitive sports talent.

“It fulfills NEOM’s aspirations to build a global, multicultural society, with sport acting as a bridge between peoples and cultures. The success of Supertri NEOM highlights its aspiration to become a premier destination for high-performance sports.”

As part of NEOM’s broader mission to support the development of triathlon, Supertri partnered with local initiatives like the Stars of Tomorrow program, allowing young Saudi athletes to train alongside elite Olympic and world champions.

Race weekend activities included school visits, clinics with professional triathletes, and training sessions for officials, underscoring NEOM’s commitment to empowering the Saudi Triathlon Federation and fostering homegrown talent in the sport.

Supertri CEO and co-founder Michael D’hulst praised the event’s success, saying: “(It) was a fitting conclusion to a spectacular season, delivering thrilling racing in an incredible setting. It has been a brilliant Supertri League season, and I am very happy that we were able to finish it again in NEOM, bringing a unique blend of entertainment and inspiration.

“I am proud of the work we’ve done together with NEOM to grow and develop the sport in the Kingdom and look forward to continuing to build on this legacy.”

The action continues this week with the FIBA 3x3 World Tour NEOM 2024, which is set to begin on Thursday.


Sabalenka beats Paolini in straight sets to reach last four of WTA Finals

Updated 45 min 29 sec ago
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Sabalenka beats Paolini in straight sets to reach last four of WTA Finals

  • Top-ranked Sabalenka cruised in the first set after building a 4-0 lead, then saved two set points in the second to advance at the year-ending tournament
  • Sabalenka has won 22 of her last 23 matches, and three of the last four tournaments in which she played

RIYADH: Aryna Sabalenka reached the semifinals of the WTA Finals with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Jasmine Paolini on Monday for a second straight victory in the group stage.
The top-ranked Sabalenka cruised in the first set after building a 4-0 lead, then saved two set points in the second to advance at the year-ending tournament for the top eight ranked players.
Sabalenka will face already eliminated Elena Rybakina on Wednesday in the final group match of the week.
Sabalenka has won 22 of her last 23 matches, and three of the last four tournaments in which she played.
Another round-robin win will secure her the year-end No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career.
In the other Purple Group match, Zheng Qinwen defeated Rybakina 7-6 (4) 3-6, 6-1 to maintain chances of advancing.
It was Zheng’s first career win over Rybakina in three tries.
Rybakina sits at 0-2 and can’t advance to the semifinals. She lost to Paolini on Saturday, while Sabalenka eased to a straight-set victory over Zheng in the opening match in Saudi Arabia.
Zheng and Paolini will play each other on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to her first WTA Finals semifinal to face the winner of the Orange Group.


NEOM Sports Club appoint Alex Leitao as CEO

Updated 04 November 2024
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NEOM Sports Club appoint Alex Leitao as CEO

  • New boss says he is delighted to join club at ‘significant phase’ in Kingdom’s sporting evolution
  • Team currently tops Saudi First Division

NEOM: NEOM Sports Club has appointed Alex Leitao as their new CEO, the club said on Monday.

The former boss of Brazil’s Club Athletico Paranaense and Major League Soccer’s Orlando City joins NEOM as they continue to progress through the ranks of Saudi football.

The club said Leitao would focus on driving the team’s performance, development and brand in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Moaath Alohali, who was the club’s CEO since its acquisition by NEOM in June last year, will transition to an advisory role. Under his leadership, the club secured the services of several top players and coaching staff and won the Second Division title.

Alohali also established a women’s team, which is currently seeking promotion to the Women’s Premier League, and a youth development program to nurture the next generation of Saudi players.

Club Chairman Mishari Al-Mutairi said: “As part of our development efforts to elevate the club’s sporting standards, we are pleased to welcome Alex Leitao as the club’s CEO and to benefit from his extensive experience in leading global clubs.

“The performance achieved by the club thus far reflects our commitment to attracting the best talents and coaches to NEOM, aligning with our goals of reaching the highest levels. We are currently looking forward to new seasons filled with success.”

Leitao said he was delighted to be a part of Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving sporting landscape.

“As we enter a significant phase with the Kingdom’s transformation into a global sports hub, I am delighted to join a sports club to contribute to achieving its sporting and social objectives, adding further distinction to its national journey.

“The rapid growth of NEOM Sports Club, with a focus on professional football as the club’s core sport, is a key factor that enables us to compete, support promising talents, and enhance community engagement in this pioneering region.”

NEOM Sports Club are currently top of the First Division, the second tier of Saudi football.


China’s Zheng downs Rybakina at WTA Finals

Updated 04 November 2024
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China’s Zheng downs Rybakina at WTA Finals

  • Zheng rebounded from her opening round-robin defeat by Aryna Sabalenka by claiming her first win from three meetings with Rybakina

RIYADH: Zheng Qinwen improved her chances of advancing to the semifinals at the WTA Finals with a 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 6-1 victory over world No. 5 Elena Rybakina in Riyadh on Monday.

The seventh-seeded Zheng rebounded from her opening round-robin defeat by Aryna Sabalenka by claiming her first win from three meetings with Rybakina.

Meanwhile, Rybakina suffered a second defeat in as many matches this week in Saudi Arabia and is facing elimination, with one more round-robin clash to go against Sabalenka on Wednesday.

During her on-court interview, Zheng apologized to the Chinese fans in the stands for “losing control” of her emotions at one point during the match, admitting she was “harsh” in her reaction to them, and thanked them for their support.

“I’m really happy to have won this match because I never beat her before and she’s one of the greatest players right now on tour, huge serve and great groundstrokes,” said Zheng.

“I didn’t take my chances in the second set but I was able to come back in the third and I stayed focused.

“I had to stay really focused on my service games, because here, both of us are destroying our serves, it’s really tough to return.”

Zheng arrives in Riyadh on the back of an impressive second half of the season that saw her win titles in Palermo and Tokyo, and an Olympic gold medal in singles in Paris. No woman has won more matches than her within that span.

The first Chinese player to qualify for the WTA Finals since Li Na in 2013, Zheng amassed a 12-2 win-loss record during the Asian swing last month and is the tour leader in most aces struck and percentage of first-serve points won.

Rybakina’s second part of 2024 could not have been more different.

The Kazakh had played just two matches between Wimbledon and the WTA Finals as she struggled with allergies, insomnia, and a back injury.

After saving a pair of break points on her own serve in the third game, Zheng made her move, breaking Rybakina en route to a 4-1 advantage.

Rybakina wiped out her deficit, attacking Zheng’s second serve, and was soon on level terms at 4-4.

The set fittingly went to a tie-break which Zheng sealed on a long forehand from Rybakina on the 58-minute mark.

In a pattern similar to the opening set, Zheng carved out a lead in the second frame, only for Rybakina to strike back and even the score. This time though, the big-hitter took four games in a row to claim the second set and force a decider.

Zheng shook off early trouble on her serve in the final set before surging ahead 4-1. It was the boost she needed to wrap up the win — the ninth of her career against a top-10 opponent.