Golf Saudi launches Mass Participation program at Aramco Team Series tournament in Spain

Hana Basrawi, left, Nawal Al-Khalawi, center, and Maram Al-Butairi were guests of Golf Saudi for the launch of the Mass Participation program in Spain. (Golf Saudi)
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Updated 09 August 2021
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Golf Saudi launches Mass Participation program at Aramco Team Series tournament in Spain

  • Leading Saudi female figures took part in activities aimed at promoting golf, empowerment of women
  • Nawal Al-Khalawi: It is gratifying to see that Golf Saudi is investing both time and resources to bring this great game to the people of Saudi Arabia

SOTOGRANDE, Spain: Golf Saudi hosted leading female personalities from the Kingdom at the second Aramco Team Series tournament of the year in Sotogrande, Spain.

The occasion was part of Golf Saudi’s Mass Participation program that aims to grow the game of golf and boost participation in Saudi Arabia and internationally.

The guests took part in activities on the sideline of the tournament, organized with the Ladies European Tour (LET), which was won by Team Buhai.

The Mass Participation program was presented by senior professionals Grant Smith and Steven Troup, who introduced the guests to Saudi health coach and entrepreneur Nawal Al-Khalawi, founder of the first Saudi female football team Maram Al-Butairi, and social media influencer Hana Bassrawi.

Smith and Troup were on hand to provide the participating ladies with some beginner’s tips as well as challenges and the chance to try their hand on a golf simulator.

The clinic also saw the rollout of Golf Saudi’s newest event activation, a challenge course devised in partnership with The Stadium Concept, an educational program that introduces participants to the game in an accessible and easy way. At the end of the clinic, the participants were also treated to a tour of the golf course at La Reserva Club Sotogrande where the tournament had taken place.

Golf Saudi’s Mass Participation program has been designed to develop future home-grown golf players and follows the launch of The Ladies First Club in November last year for 1,000 Saudi women, offering complimentary membership inclusive of golf lessons, driving range access, and a nine-hole experience played with an instructor on three different courses.

The organization also hopes to use its latest program to meet its targets of creating 3,700 jobs by 2030, as well as training up to 24,000 new golfers within the next decade.

Al-Butairi, founder of the Eastern Flames football team, said the work that Golf Saudi was doing to promote the game was a good sign for the future of the women’s sports sector in the country.

“It was such an honor being in Sotogrande for the second Aramco Team Series tournament and to have the chance to meet in person with such an array of talented female golfers.

“As a director of Eastern Flames Football Club in Saudi Arabia, I know first-hand the positive impact that sport can play in the lives of young girls and women. It’s great that Golf Saudi is paving a way not only for Saudi female golfers but for other women internationally, giving them the opportunities to learn, develop, and compete in world-class tournaments,” she added.

Al-Khalawi said she could not wait to pick up a golf club on her return to Saudi Arabia following her stay in Spain.

“Golf is a game of patience. Practicing alone is a meditative act, whilst playing with friends and family cultivates deep connections and competing professionally requires a strong mind, character, and skills.

“These are all positives and so it is gratifying to see that Golf Saudi is investing both time and resources to bring this great game to the people of Saudi Arabia. From what I’ve seen here in Sotogrande, it won’t be too long until we see the first Saudi women compete in similar international tournaments,” she added.

The Aramco Team Series consists of four tournaments that include 36 teams made up of three professionals and one amateur, with scores from all four contributing to the final result.

Following the inaugural London event and the conclusion of the Sotogrande tournament, the series will now move onto New York from Oct. 14 to 16, and finally Jeddah from Nov. 10 to 12.


Fury targets third fight against Usyk

Updated 21 July 2025
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Fury targets third fight against Usyk

LONDON: Tyson Fury says Oleksandr Usyk “knows” he is the only fighter who can beat him after the Ukrainian crushed Daniel Dubois to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
Usyk produced an emphatic fifth-round finish against his British opponent at Wembley on Saturday to reclaim the IBF title, further cementing his status as one of boxing’s all-time greats.
The undefeated 38-year-old added the IBF belt to his WBC, WBA and WBO belts when he beat Fury by split decision in Riyadh in May last year before he was forced to vacate his IBF title.
The British boxer retired after he lost to Usyk, again in Saudi Arabia, by unanimous decision in December, but he signaled his intention to return to the ring earlier this month.
The “Gypsy King” has angrily questioned the two defeats and remains confident he can get the better of Usyk.
Fury, 36, posted a video of himself on his Instagram account during a run, which was laden with expletives.
“Massive shout-out to Oleksandr Usyk, he said.
“He did a fantastic performance tonight over Daniel Dubois, a good, young, game lad who came for a good tear-up, so congratulations to both men but Oleksandr Usyk knows there is only one man who can beat him.”
“I did it twice before and the world knows it ... I took it like a man.”
He added: “No matter what anyone wants to say, I won ... those fights. Guaranteed, 100 percent. There is only one man. GK (Gypsy King) all day every day. Get up!”
Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, acknowledged a third fight with Usyk would be “big” but reiterated WBO mandatory Joseph Parker is next in line.
“Tyson has made it very clear to me he would love to fight at Wembley and would love to do that fight. And it would be a big fight, I am quite sure of it,” Warren said.
“As a fan, I would like to see the Joe Parker fight. Joe deserves it, he is on a run himself similar to what Daniel was on and that is the fight that has been ordered.
“One way or another it will either happen or Joe will fight for the vacant title.”


Gen.G Esports crowned League of Legends champions at Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh

Updated 20 July 2025
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Gen.G Esports crowned League of Legends champions at Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh

  • The Korean powerhouses now sit top of the Club Championship standings with 1,800 points

RIYADH: Gen.G Esports continued their dominant run on the international stage by capturing the League of Legends title at the Esports World Cup 2025 over the weekend, defeating AG.AL 3-2 in a dramatic Grand Final to claim their second international trophy in as many weeks.

The Korean powerhouses now sit top of the Club Championship standings with 1,800 points, following a historic run that has seen them go unbeaten in 26 consecutive matches, one of the most commanding streaks in the history of competitive League of Legends.

The title win in Riyadh follows closely on the heels of their victory at the Mid-Season Invitational, making this the fastest back-to-back international title haul ever recorded in the game.

Their flawless campaign at the Esports World Cup culminated in a thrilling five-game final against AG.AL, who had earlier stunned both Hanwha Life Esports and reigning champions T1.

“It’s a very meaningful win for our team,” said Kim "Kiin" Ki-in, who was later named tournament MVP and awarded a $10,000 prize.

“In the past in international events we feel that we have underperformed, so to achieve back-to-back wins in the Mid-Season Invitational and now here at the Esports World Cup means that we are still a top contender level team. We are right at the top.

“And on a personal level, the wins let me know that I’m still the player I know I can be and that we can continue to lift many trophies together.”

Teammate Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon praised the atmosphere in the Riyadh Arena for playing a key role in their final push.

“The atmosphere in the arena was amazing, you could really feel it and I think that support was what drove us to go on and win in the end,” he said.

“The overall support of the fans throughout the tournament was incredible, they were electric and energetic, and they continue to drive us to lift more trophies again as soon as we can compete again,” he added.

The Gen.G lineup of Joo "Duro" Min-kyu, Jeong, Kim "Canyon" Geon-bu, Park "Ruler" Jae-hyuk, and Kim outclassed 11 other top-tier teams to secure the $600,000 winners’ prize and an additional 1,000 Club Championship points.

Arnold Hur, CEO of Gen.G Esports, hailed the team’s consistency and hunger for improvement.

“For us, the important thing is to keep on improving and delivering positive performances and results each year compared to the previous one, and that's what we're doing in this year's edition so far,” he said. “Everyone is working to help the club reach new heights and to keep rising.”

Reflecting on his MVP performance, Kiin added: “We were here last year, but we got eliminated early, so this time I wanted to lift the trophy, and I did. I'm really excited.”


Pakistan voice disappointment after ‘World Championship of Legends’ match against India called off

Updated 20 July 2025
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Pakistan voice disappointment after ‘World Championship of Legends’ match against India called off

  • WCL features retired, non-contracted players from India, Pakistan, England and other nations
  • The match was called off after India’s Shikhar Dhawan withdrew from fixtures against Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani veteran cricket stars on Sunday voiced their disappointment after their match against India, part of the “World Championship of Legends (WCL)” tournament, was called off on Sunday, with Indian players withdrawing because of political tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi.

Sporting ties between arch-rivals India and Pakistan have remained limited due to years of political tensions, which heightened after the two countries engaged in a four-day military standoff over an attack in the disputed Kashmir region before a ceasefire was reached on May 10.

The WCL is a T20 tournament approved by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) held in England every year. The tournament features retired and non-contracted players from cricketing giants, including England, India, Pakistan, Australia, West Indies and South Africa.

“On behalf of Pakistan Champions, we express our deep disappointment over WCL’s decision to call off the match against India,” Pakistan Champions owner Kamil Khan said in a statement.

“This decision not only undermines the spirit of the game but has let down cricket fans across the globe.”

In a statement released on its social media accounts, the WCL said it had decided to call off the India-Pakistan match in Birmingham and apologized again for “hurting the sentiments” of Indian fans.

The league’s owners include its founder, Indian entrepreneur Harshit Tomar and Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn.

The WCL statement came hours after Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan wrote on X that he was withdrawing from India’s WCL matches with Pakistan.

“We believe cricket should rise above and transcend political differences,” Khan said.


Jeddah set to host $1m World Pool Championship as global stars descend on Saudi Arabia

Updated 20 July 2025
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Jeddah set to host $1m World Pool Championship as global stars descend on Saudi Arabia

  • $1 million prize pool brings together 128 elite players from more than 40 countries

JEDDAH: The 2025 World Pool Championship, the most lucrative tournament in nine-ball history, is set to break new ground in Jeddah on Monday, marking the return of the sport’s flagship event to Saudi Arabia for the second consecutive year.

Being held from July 21 to 26 at the Green Hall venue, the tournament features a record-breaking $1 million prize pool and brings together 128 elite players from more than 40 countries, including powerhouses such as the US, Taiwan, Germany, the Philippines, the UK, and host nation Saudi Arabia.

Organized in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation (SBSF), the Saudi Ministry of Sport and the World Nineball Tour, the event highlights the Kingdom’s growing stature in the global sporting calendar.

A press conference on Sunday officially launched the tournament, with top players and organizers expressing excitement and anticipation ahead of the opening matches.

Emily Frazer, CEO of Matchroom, unveiled the tournament’s striking new trophy and hailed Saudi Arabia’s growing role in cue sports.

“It is really an honor to be here in Saudi Arabia for the second year in a row,” she said.

“We are all super excited to get this tournament rolling tomorrow with the participation of the world’s finest players,” she added.

Nayef Aljawini, President of the SBSF, spoke of the tournament’s wider significance for sports development in the Kingdom.

“Today, we are witnessing a comprehensive renaissance in billiards and snooker, as is happening in all other sports within the Kingdom,” he said.

“The great support from the Ministry of Sports reflects our deep belief in the capabilities of our youth, and these hosting events are only the beginning of a promising future for this game and other sports.

“We look forward to warmly welcoming the very best snooker and pool players in the world to the Kingdom and taking their sports into the heart of our communities, while also giving emerging young Saudi players the chance to compete at this level for the second time at home,” he added.

Among the leading names in attendance was Fedor Gorst, the reigning world champion and current world number one.

“I am back in Jeddah to defend my title and I'm very much looking forward to competing amidst the best in the world,” he said.

Filipino star Johann Chua, winner of the Hanoi Open, said he would approach the event with positivity and calm.

“I’m really excited about it and I don’t think about the pressure at all. I’m looking forward to it and will just try and enjoy as much of it as possible.”

American legend Shane Van Boening, one of the sport’s most successful players, was equally confident.

“Yes, I am ready and looking forward to compete with other players and hope to win it this year,” he said.

Representing the host nation, Saudi rising star Khalid Al-Ghamdi expressed pride in taking part.

“We are really so excited to be part of the tournament which gathers the best in the world and we all hope to raise our level and reach good positions. Simply, we are all looking forward to be there among the best,” he said.

The competition will begin with a double elimination format, where players must win two matches in race-to-nine racks to progress. From there, the final 64 enter a single elimination phase of race-to-11 racks, culminating in Saturday’s final, a race-to-15 showdown.

Fans around the world will be able to follow the action live. Sky Sports will provide daily coverage from 7pm local time, while DAZN (USA, Spain), Vietcontent (Vietnam) and TAP (Philippines) are among several international broadcasters carrying the event.


Saudi Esports Federation launches second edition of GCC competition

Updated 20 July 2025
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Saudi Esports Federation launches second edition of GCC competition

  • Presented by Genesis, GCC Esports League features best players from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman
  • Competition has total prize pool of SR100,000, is an official qualifier for the Street Fighter 6 tournament at Esports World Cup 2025

RIYADH: The Saudi Esports Federation is set to host the second edition of the GCC Esports League on July 21-22 at the SEF Arena in Riyadh.

The tournament gathers leading players from across the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council): The UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. It is presented by the global luxury automotive brand Genesis.

Players will compete across two of the world’s leading games, EA FC 25 and Street Fighter 6, for a total prize pool of almost SR100,000 ($26,000).

Turki Al-Fawzan, CEO of the SEF, said: “We are delighted that the league is returning for its second edition following a successful and highly competitive first edition in 2024.

“We are excited to witness elite competitive gaming from leading esports athletes from across the GCC countries, and (to) experience the passion of the fans as they watch the next generation of gaming heroes stamp their authority on the competition.

“The fans in the GCC countries are known across the world for their vibrant, unwavering support for home-grown talent and their knowledge of esports.

“Once again the tournament will provide a leading platform for players in the region to elevate their skills and continue their development as part of a comprehensive sustainable gaming and esports ecosystem here in Riyadh.”

Omar Al-Zubaidi, CEO at Genesis Middle East and Africa, said: “At Genesis we are proud to support platforms that empower the next generation, whether through bold automotive innovation or the evolving world of competitive gaming.

“As presenting partner of the GCC Esports League, we are honored to celebrate the creativity, ambition, and talent of the region’s rising champions, and to play a role in fostering a future shaped by excellence across all arenas.’’

The second edition of the GCC Esports League also serves as an official qualifier for the Street Fighter 6 tournament at the Esports World Cup 2025, creating pathways for players to make significant progress in their esports careers with opportunities to compete against the world’s leading players.

The league supports the SEF’s aims to champion regional esports development and nurture talent at all levels, from amateur players to professional esports athletes, while showcasing Riyadh as one of the world’s leading hubs for esports and gaming.