AlUla’s stunning landscape hosts Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup 2023

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The press conference was held by RCU at Equestrian Village in AlUla. (Supplied)
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From left Phillip Jones, chief tourism officer of the Roya Commission of AlUla, and Gérard Mestrallet, executive chairman of AFALULA. In the middle is Ziad Al-Suhaibani, head of the sports sector executive program at RCU, from left Brian Colin Dunn, the event director, and next to him is Anas Hassan from the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation at a press conference in AlUla. (Supplied)
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Updated 04 March 2023
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AlUla’s stunning landscape hosts Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup 2023

  • The 120 km endurance race sees 200 riders from 41 countries take part across the Saudi desert

ALULA: The spectacular natural arena of the AlUla UNESCO World Heritage Site is set to host the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup 2023 on Saturday with 200 riders from 41 countries navigating 120 km of the city’s desert terrain.

Hosted by the Royal Commission for AlUla in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation and Federation Equestre Internationale, the fourth version of the race will take about six hours on average to complete across the Saudi landscape.

“It’s going to be fantastic, it’s going to be electrifying” said event director, Brian Colin Dunn, who is one of the leading figures in the world for endurance and equestrian sports, during a press conference on Friday.

The event is a test of skill and stamina for riders and horses alike, as equestrians will compete in a route consisting of a 38.2 km loop, then a 32.1 km section followed by 27.3 km and 22.4 km laps.

While all equine sporting competitions require harmony between horse and rider, endurance riding requires that “it must be a pure Arabian horse,” Gianluca Laliscia, a general sports director and former world champion, told Arab News.

Horse welfare and time management by the rider also play a significant role.

Laliscia added that to qualify for this race, horses should be between five to eight years of age, as they have to be strong and capable of riding for long distances of 40 km, 80 km, 100 km, or more.

A pre-ride checkup on horses is conducted to make sure they are fit and healthy to compete. After each loop, horses are vetted to see if they are fit to continue.

“Endurance riding is the only sport in the world that once the riders cross the finish line, horses are subjected to a veterinary inspection,” Dunn said.

Since the welfare of the horses is a top priority, there is an event equine hospital on site that employs best practices, as well as 60 control stables, and grooming facilities that are developed in the community.

The press conference was held by RCU at Equestrian Village in AlUla and attended by Ziad Al-Suhaibani, head of the sports sector executive program at RCU; Phillip Jones, chief tourism officer, RCU; Anas Hassan from the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation; and Gerard Mestrallet, executive chairman of AFALULA. 

Horses have been a defining part of Saudi heritage since ancient times, and Al-Suhaibani added that “we have plans to make AlUla one of the most active and vibrant places, starting with the equestrian sports, but also other selected sports that will be developed from grassroots level, to major events.”

“The plans are actually to make AlUla an equestrian-friendly hub and to create a sustainable equestrian sector,” he said. “That doesn’t only include events, but this is definitely the nucleus of creating that sustainable sector.”

Jones asked the audience to take in the “amazing view” created by 7,000 years of continuous civilizations, each having left their mark.

“We are preserving and protecting those sites for future generations to appreciate and enjoy,” he said. “What we are doing is creating a tourism ecosystem for the destination for the long run. So it will truly be one of the top destinations in the world for culture, for heritage, for sports, and for adventure activities, as well as wellness and arts.”

The Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup in AlUla is internationally renowned for offering a stunning landscape of routes and tracks that cannot be found elsewhere, and many riders, in the middle of competition, have often been known to pause and capture the surrounding beauty.

“Every year there is a big turnout from many countries across the world as they aspire to participate in this race,” Hassan said. “This season we have received calls from more than 55 countries wishing to participate, but we are restricted to a specific number within the conditions of the Federation Equestre Internationale.”

Dunn, who is also a highly experienced international manager acknowledged for providing strategic planning, operational management, training skills and customer service support, warned riders of the “toughest” second loop.

“The riders will have to ride tactically, they will have to look up to their horses, and (employ) the speed that is correct,” he said.

Dunn said that he would allow 500 horses to take part as there been no restrictions from the federation.

“I have got (horses from) 41 countries, and I could have 100 countries,” he said. “Everyone in the world wants to come here because it is unique. AlUla is the future of endurance in the Middle East.”

A development program has been established for a select group of local equestrians, which has resulted in five local riders qualifying for the race. One of them is the only Saudi female among the women’s field, which makes up 30 percent of the total number of competitors.

Al-Suhaibani told Arab News that RCU and the Saudi Equestrian Federation have a mutual objective of developing Saudi talents, and that the FAI and other partners will look to ensure the best conditions and practices for local events.

“All measure will be taken for their safety and also the maintenance,” he said. “As you can see, the weather is not so nice these days, compared to last week. I see this really as the grand finale because it is really difficult for endurance in such a landscape and also in such weather. I believe that it could be perceived as a challenge, but could be perceived as an opportunity to position this event as one of the toughest and also the most beautiful around.”

More than 40 locals are involved in stewarding and vet assistance roles after being shortlisted from a group of more than 80 youths, after a stringent training program in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation ahead of the event.

AlUla is hosting a series of similar events with more than 70 sports events. In 2022, the number of visitors to AlUla reached more than 180,000 people, which in turn created about 1,900 jobs.


Al-Hilal out to banish minor slump against Riyadh rivals Al-Shabab

Updated 29 November 2024
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Al-Hilal out to banish minor slump against Riyadh rivals Al-Shabab

  • Questions are being asked of the champions who last week dropped points in the SPL and AFC Champions League

DUBAI: Are all-conquering Al-Hilal fallible?

This is the question being posed after a week in which the holders were beaten — for the first time in a record 57 domestic matches — by dark horses Al-Khaleej to cede top spot in Roshn Saudi League to Al-Ittihad, then draw with Qatar’s Al-Sadd to be replaced at the AFC Champions League Elite League Stage’s West Region summit by Al-Ahli.

Although Champions League progress to the knockout stages by Al-Hilal — as well as the other Saudi clubs involved, Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr, has been confirmed — this mini slump has shaken predictions of a 2024-2025 procession for Jorge Jesus’s star-studded squad.

Arab News takes a look at issues from which rivals may take encouragement ahead of Saturday night’s derby at much-improved neighbors Al-Shabab.

Looking at the numbers

Naturally for a team this, uniquely, good, it’s not yet time to ring the alarm bell.

A return of two wins, two draws — Al-Hilal’s other dropped points came in the much-hyped Riyadh Derby at Al-Nassr on Nov. 1 — and one defeat from five matches is slightly concerning. But this followed a staggering run of 18 successive victories that included the 2023-2024 King’s Cup and 2024-2025 Saudi Super Cup successes.

Since Jesus was rehired at the start of last season, he’s overseen 68 wins, eight draws and just four defeats. The Portuguese mastermind is also in charge of leading scorers in this term’s RSL (29) and AFC Champions League (17).

All this has been achieved with only minimal appearances by Brazil megastar Neymar, because of injuries.

Nothing is forever in football.

Manchester City’s current travails in Europe demonstrate that maxim. Causes exist for Hilal concern.

No Neves, no party?

It feels impertinent to pick out one name from a galaxy of superstars, but Ruben Neves is a special case.

Hilal have not been the same since a knee injury necessitated, first, his removal in victory on Oct. 21 at Asian champions Al-Ain and, second, surgery earlier this month. Head physician Dr. Juan Jimenez anticipated a “return to match action in January,” meaning solutions must be found.

The Portugal defensive midfielder has excelled since being bought from Wolverhampton Wanderers, making a strong argument to be considered the smartest buy in the game-changing summer of 2023 recruitment drive across The Kingdom.

He is, also, a player without natural replacement in Hilal’s squad. A situation accentuated by pre-season exits by club icon Salman Al-Faraj to ambitious NEOM SC and a loan to Ettifaq for Abdulelah Al-Malki.

This is not the case for injured attackers Neymar and Salem Al-Dawsari, despite their incredible talents.

No one can question the ability of Mohamed Kanno, Nasser Al-Dawsari or Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. But this trio perform different midfield tasks to the waylaid Neves.

Hilal have kept only two clean sheets in seven matches since the 27-year-old was sidelined. This is a gap that must be plugged, especially after the impending winter break’s end versus Ittihad in the King’s Cup quarter-finals on Jan. 7, 2025.

Sterner opposition?

By the end of match week 11 in 2023-2024, Hilal had already accrued a four-point advantage over Nassr and were the division’s only unbeaten outfit.

Holders Ittihad were a distant sixth, eight points behind, and then-promoted Ahli were fifth on 22 points to the leaders’ 29.

Gargantuan improvement at Ittihad puts them one point ahead of champions Hilal at the same stage of the season, despite both Nassr and Ahli registering fewer points from their opening top-flight fixtures.

Laurent Blanc’s summer arrival in Jeddah has rejuvenated 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema. His RSL tally of eight goals in eight games is just one less than in all of 2023-2024 (nine goals in 21 outings).

This has been aided by the tremendous impacts of fellow Francophones Moussa Diaby — with a leading 10 assists — and last-gasp hero Houssem Aouar.

With N’Golo Kante and Fabinho patrolling midfield for the competition’s second-stingiest rearguard (eight goals conceded in 11 games), Ittihad are not budging in this engaging title battle.

Mitrovic dependence

Bafetimbi Gomis had looked irreplaceable in the hearts of Hilal supporters — that is, until Aleksandar Mitrovic showed up.

The Serbia center forward has exceeded all expectations since a protracted move from Fulham was finally completed in August 2023. He’s struck a formidable 59 times in 63 outings, on the way to four pieces of silverware.

In a strong support cast in 2023-2024, Malcom scored 25 times and Salem Al-Dawsari 24 times across all competitions, to Mitrovic’s 40. This season, he’s more of a solo act.

A fearsome tally of 19 goals in 20 appearances dwarfs that of compatriot Milinkovic-Savic (six), Salem Al-Dawsari and Marcos Leonardo (both seven) and Malcom (three).

If Mitrovic doesn’t fire, it decreases Hilal’s odds of winning.

Summer signings yet to take prominence

Hilal’s sense of purpose to reclaim the RSL trophy in 2023-2024 was intense.

An ominous set of pre-season signings set the course for domestic dominance. This pre-season’s batch have yet to make similarly profound impressions.

Portugal right-back Joao Cancelo has saved his buccaneering best for Asian football, following his Manchester City move. A superb goal at Al-Rayyan and four assists in five outings is vastly superior to a return of two assists in nine league appearances.

It is a similar tale for Brazil youth forward Marcos Leonardo, scooped up from Benfica. Returns of two goals in four AFC games and two goals in two King’s Cup ties look far healthier than two goals in eight top-flight matches.

Availability issues have hampered rapid left-back Moteb Al-Harbi since being bought from Shabab, with one goal coming in six fixtures. Ettifaq loanee Khalid Al-Ghannam has, unsurprisingly, got one assist to show from six fleeting appearances.

Competition for places is fierce. This second wave of signings under Jesus must fight for every minute on the pitch.

A greater threat of being usurped could give a required jolt to the existing Hilal squad for the challenges ahead.


Dakota Ditcheva poised for ‘massive statement’ at PFL World Championship in Riyadh

Updated 29 November 2024
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Dakota Ditcheva poised for ‘massive statement’ at PFL World Championship in Riyadh

  • Loughnane takes on Khizriev for men’s featherweight title in the headline bout
  • Ditcheva faces Santos for the women’s flyweight championship in co-main event

RIYADH: Dakota Ditcheva said she is ready to make a “massive statement” on Friday night when she faces Taila Santos for the PFL Women’s Flyweight Championship in Riyadh and hopes an impressive performance can help inspire more women to pursue mixed martial arts.

Ditcheva, one of the most exciting talents in global mixed martial arts, puts her 13-0 unbeaten record on the line against the experienced Santos (22-3) when they meet in the co-main event of an extraordinary PFL World Championship event at King Saud University.

Six world title fights will take place on Friday to conclude a thrilling 2024 PFL season, headlined by the featherweight championship bout between 2022 champion Brendan Loughnane (30-5) and unbeaten Timur Khizriev (17-0). Each winner will walk away with the belts and $1 million in prize money.

Ditcheva has been making major waves since swapping a world championship-winning Muay Thai career for MMA in 2021. Her enormous potential was spotted by the Professional Fighters League and she was signed in 2022 after five victorious MMA bouts.

Since clinching the PFL Europe women’s flyweight title in 2023, the English-Bulgarian fighter has made the step up to world level look easy, claiming two regular season wins and a semi-final victory in 2024 — all by first-round stoppage.

Now she faces the toughest challenge of her career against experienced Brazilian Santos, who has also impressed since joining the PFL with three straight wins this season.

On what a win over Santos would mean, Ditcheva said: “A massive statement, I feel like. I don’t know whether it will still gain the respect of the people on the internet, but that’s not something I’m worried about.

“Beating Taila would be massive; she’s someone I used to watch in the UFC and someone I have a lot of respect for so I’m just excited to put on an amazing fight. It seems to be a fight that’s got everyone excited, so I’m hoping we can both bring it on the night and put on a great performance.”

Ditcheva’s bout against Santos is another significant moment for women’s MMA as the second professional bout to be staged in Saudi Arabia. It comes nine months after boxing superstar Claressa Shields fought Kelsey DeSantis in the PFL vs Bellator event in Riyadh in the first professional women’s MMA fight in the Kingdom.

“Being a female over here in Riyadh, it can motivate a lot of other women probably and being one of the first ones to come over and show you can still fight, you can perform in such an amazing country, it’s just nice and hopefully motivating for other women,” Ditcheva said.

Among the bouts on the night is one featuring Hattan Alsaif, a rising MMA talent from Saudi Arabia who aspires to follow in Ditcheva’s footsteps and become a global PFL fighter. Alsaif’s inclusion in the event highlights the growing opportunities for women in the region to compete at the highest levels of the sport.

Ahead of the fight, Ditcheva took in the many sights of Riyadh, which included attending a Saudi Pro League match to watch Al-Nassr and their superstar captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Everyone knows I’m a big football fan and my brother is a massive Ronaldo fan, as I’m sure everyone is. It was just amazing that I was able to go and experience that,” she said.

“That’s what I love about this sport; it takes you all over the world, you get to experience different sports, meet different people. It’s probably not something I would have had without this sport, so I feel very lucky that I get to do that.”

The 26-year-old will be well supported on Friday night and will have her family by her side, including her mother Lisa Howarth, who was a world champion kickboxer and is a lifelong inspiration for the MMA star.


Abu Dhabi to host FIM World Supercross Championship finale

Updated 29 November 2024
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Abu Dhabi to host FIM World Supercross Championship finale

  • WSX returns to the Etihad Arena for 2024 season showdown

ABU DHABI: The stage is set for the finale of the 2024 FIM World Supercross Championship, as the world’s top riders prepare to battle under the lights of the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 4.

After a hard-fought season, including the historic double-header in Perth, there are several championship scenarios that could still play out.

Fresh off a dominant performance in Perth where he claimed seven out of eight possible race wins, Eli Tomac (CDR Yamaha Supported by Star Racing) heads to Abu Dhabi with a commanding 46-point lead in the WSX Class. However, two-time defending champion Ken Roczen (Pipes Motorsports Group) is not mathematically eliminated yet, setting up what could be one of the most dramatic comebacks in supercross history.

For Roczen to pull off the seemingly impossible and secure his third consecutive WSX title, he would need to win every race in Abu Dhabi (GP Race 1, GP Race 2, GP Race 3, and SuperFinal); Tomac to finish outside the top 10 in several races; and make up an average of 11.5 points per race.

Adding another layer of intrigue to the finale, Joey Savatgy (Fire Power Honda) — the only rider to beat Tomac in a race at Perth — is just six points behind Roczen. With a total of 105 points available in Abu Dhabi, the battle for second in the championship could yet be the night’s most intense storyline.

“The mathematics might be in my favour, but this is supercross — anything can happen," said championship leader Tomac. “Abu Dhabi presents a completely new challenge for everyone, and we’ll be pushing until the final chequered flag.”

The SX2 250cc class has its own compelling narrative as Shane McElrath (Fire Power Honda) looks to convert his 57-point advantage into a championship victory. However, the emerging rivalry between Coty Schock and Enzo Lopes, separated by just two points in their battle for second place, could deliver one of the highlights of the night in Abu Dhabi.

For either Schock or Lopes to have any chance of unseating McElrath, they would need to win every race while hoping for multiple DNFs from McElrath; outperform each other consistently, as neither can afford to lose points to their rival; and overcome McElrath’s near-perfect form that earned him six wins in Perth.


Three Emirati jiu-jitsu champions line up for Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship in Al-Ain

Updated 29 November 2024
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Three Emirati jiu-jitsu champions line up for Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship in Al-Ain

  • Khaled Al-Shehhi, Shamma Al-Kalbani, and Omar Al-Fadhli will step into the cage on Dec. 6

ABU DHABI: Three Emirati jiu-jitsu champions will bring the heat at the eighth edition of the Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship at the Adnec Centre in Al-Ain on Dec. 6.

Khaled Al-Shehhi, Shamma Al-Kalbani, and Omar Al-Fadhli will step into the cage to face some of the biggest names in combat sports.

Emirati jiu-jitsu athletes have in recent years excelled at local and international competitions, adding gold medals, podium finishes, and global rankings to their achievements.

Organised by International Vision Sports Management in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, ADXC is known for its innovative competition format, elite-level competition, and vibrant atmosphere for fans. Previous editions have featured top Emirati athletes, including Al-Kalbani, Balqees Al-Hashemi, Zayed Al-Katheeri, and brothers Omar and Mohammed Al-Suwaidi.

“Competing in the Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship has been one of the highlights of my jiu-jitsu journey,” said Al-Kalbani, who will take on China’s Peiqin Ge in a bantamweight jiu-jitsu clash.

“When I participated in ADXC 4 in Paris, I faced Lina Grosset and earned a decision win. It was unforgettable, raising the UAE flag in the heart of Paris. That match pushed me to refine my skills in areas like control and submissions. It also showed the incredible support the UAE gives to women in sport, empowering us to reach our full potential.

“For ADXC 8, I’ve been focused on refining my techniques, staying sharp mentally, and building my fitness. Every training session is a chance to grow, and I’m excited to step into the cage again and proudly represent my country. The support from fans here means everything. it motivates me to give my best.”

Al-Fadhli, meanwhile, will go toe-to-toe with Chilian Nicolas Ponce in a lightweight jiu-jitsu bout. “I’m really excited to compete in Abu Dhabi Extreme for the first time. I’ve been training hard, working on techniques and strategies to make the most of the cage environment,” he said.

“This is a completely new experience because of the unique rules, but it’s a challenge I’m ready to take on. Winning here would mean so much. It’s not just about the title but also about proving myself on a global stage. I feel prepared and can’t wait to show what I’m capable of.”

Hometown hero Al-Shehhi will face Brazil’s Thalison Soares in a bantamweight bout, looking to build on his victory at ADXC 4 in Paris.

“In Paris, I fought Leonardo Mario from Brazil and came out on top after five tough rounds. Now, competing in Al-Ain is something special. It is home. I am eager to put on a performance that makes the city proud. ADXC has helped me grow as a fighter, especially in mastering cage control. I am ready to deliver a fight the fans will remember,” he said.

“I want to give the fans here a performance they can be proud of, especially with Al-Ain’s deep love for sports. ADXC has helped me grow as a fighter, particularly in understanding how to control the fight in the cage. I’m ready to deliver something special for my hometown crowd.”


Four Saudi drivers gear up for GT4 European opener

Updated 29 November 2024
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Four Saudi drivers gear up for GT4 European opener

JEDDAH: Four Saudi Arabian drivers will line up on the grid for the final round of the GT4 European Series, the most competitive and professional motorsport series in Europe.

The Saudi drivers in this championship will race the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 of Comtoyou Racing — Fahad Al-Gosaibi and Bandar Alesayi will participate in Pro-Am, while Reema Al-Juffali, winner of the Crowd Strike 24 Hours of Spa category, and Ahmed bin Khanen will participate in the Am category.

The participation of Saudi drivers is part of Saudi Vision 2030, established to empower Saudi youth and integrate them into international championships and enhance their capabilities and potential to represent the Kingdom in the best possible way in local, regional and international forums and championships.

The four Saudi drivers have proved themselves in several races, in 2019, Al-Gosaibi won the Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy Championship, and also placed well in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.

For his part, Alesayi participated in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, where he finished third on three occasions in 2009/2010, and second in 2011/2012.

Bin Khanen came to prominence in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, and in 2018/2019 he participated with the Saudi Racing Team as a professional driver in the Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy electric car championship.

Al-Juffali, the first professional female racing driver in Saudi Arabia, was the first Saudi woman to compete in the British Formula 3 Championship, and the first Saudi woman to drive in an international race in her country when she participated in the Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy Championship.

Al- Juffali, who switched her focus on GT competitions in 2022 and quickly made a name for herself in GT3 racing in the International GT Open as well as GT World Challenge Europe, made a return to single seaters in 2024 when she entered the F1 Academy season opener at her home track in Jeddah.