RIYADH: The SAFF Women’s Cup 2024-25 kicks off this weekend, with 16 teams from the Saudi Women’s Premier League and First Division battling it out to lift the coveted trophy in March next year.

This is the second SAFF Women’s Cup. Last year’s inaugural competition saw Al-Ahli crowned cup-winners after beating Al Shabab 3-2 in the 2024 final at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh in March.

The Jeddah club begin their defense of the SAFF Women’s Cup with a home tie against Al-Hmmah on Saturday. Other matches to look out for in the Round of 16 this weekend include Al-Hilal hosting Abha on Friday and the back-to-back Saudi Women’s Premier League winners Al-Nassr’s trip to Al-Taraji on Saturday.

This season’s SAFF Women’s Cup final is scheduled to be played in March 2025, with the winning team earning a total prize of SR1 million ($267,000).

Aalia Al-Rasheed, head of the women’s football department at SAFF, said: “The inaugural SAFF Women’s Cup was warmly welcomed into the football calendar by clubs and fans last season, adding an extra layer of professionalism and competition to women’s football in Saudi Arabia. We have no doubt that the SAFF Women’s Cup will go from strength to strength this campaign, beginning with a Round of 16 featuring a number of fascinating fixtures this weekend.”

The full set of SAFF Women’s Cup Round of 16 fixtures this weekend is as follows:

Friday: Al-Qadsiah v Al-Amal; Al-Hilal v Abha; AlUla v Al-Riyadh; Al-Ittihad v Jeddah.

Saturday: Al-Shabab v Al-Anqaa; Al-Shoulla v Eastern Flames; Al-Ahli v Al-Hmmah, Al-Taraji v Al-Nassr.

The start of the SAFF Women’s Cup follows the successful start of the 2024-25 Saudi Women’s Premier League campaign.

The new season — featuring more than 200 players registered to play in the Kingdom’s top flight — began with a campaign called “See Us Play,” inviting football fans to celebrate women’s football across Saudi Arabia. There are almost 77,000 female players taking part in the nation’s schools league system.

ABU DHABI: This year’s successes in local, national and international championships came under the spotlight at a UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation board meeting on Thursday.

The directors also focused on the achievements of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Championship and looked ahead to future competitions, including the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship taking place in Greece this month.

The meeting, held at the Federation’s headquarters, was chaired by Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Al-Hashmi, chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, president of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union, and senior vice president of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation.

He said: “The support of our wise leadership is the key to the success of jiu-jitsu locally and internationally. It has helped position the UAE as a global leader in the sport and achieve significant accomplishments at both the continental and international levels.”

Discussions focused on an intensive training camp which aims to boost the athletes’ technical and physical readiness for the world championship, helping them build on a legacy of four consecutive world titles.

The board also reviewed the current season, which has seen significant local and international participation in various events that are key to expanding the number of jiu-jitsu participants, creating community engagement and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

A comprehensive report on the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship highlighted the success of the event, particularly the increase in numbers of those taking part. So far, the four rounds have attracted 7,700 male and female athletes from 60 clubs and academies across the UAE, testament to the Federation’s strategy to broaden the sport’s reach and raise awareness of its physical and mental benefits.

The report also noted the strong public turnout, with over 10,000 spectators attending. Their support has enhanced the competitive atmosphere and motivated athletes. The championship has uncovered new talent, elevated the standard of competition, boosted public interest, and provided a highly competitive environment in line with international standards.

The fifth and final round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship will take place in December at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi.

The meeting also touched upon final preparations for the 16th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, set to take place in November.

Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the Federation and chairman of the championship’s organizing committee, said: “Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship continues to establish itself as the top international jiu-jitsu event, drawing elite athletes from around the world. This edition marks a key moment, especially in terms of global participation further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as the world’s jiu-jitsu capital.

“We are focused on maintaining the high standards of the world’s largest jiu-jitsu championship, ensuring top-level organization and creating the best experience for both participants and fans.”

The board also discussed the agenda for the 2025 season, with a focus on diversifying events to support sustainable development and growth in the sport. Plans were outlined to expand the scope of competitions to include additional age groups and attract elite athletes from around the world.