Al-Nassr to feature in historic first edition of AFC Women’s Champions League in 2024/25

Al-Nassr won the 2023/24 Women’s Premier League to qualify for the new tournament. (Supplied)
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Updated 15 June 2024
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Al-Nassr to feature in historic first edition of AFC Women’s Champions League in 2024/25

  • The Riyadh-based club become first Saudi Arabian female team to compete in the region’s top women’s club competition
  • Al-Nassr among 22 sides to feature in new-look competition, kicks off with preliminary group stage in August

RIYADH: The Asian Football Confederation has announced that Al-Nassr FC are set to represent Saudi Arabia in the inaugural edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League in the forthcoming 2024/25 season. 

Al-Nassr won the 2023/24 Women’s Premier League to qualify for the new tournament, with the draw for the preliminary rounds to take place at the AFC House in July. The draw will determine the groups for the opening matches, which are set to take place from Aug. 25-31.

Al-Nassr are the first Saudi women’s side to compete in the region’s top club competition, which boasts 22 teams from AFC’s top-ranked nations, including Japan, Australia, North Korea, and China. 

The team’s qualification showcases the remarkable growth of women’s football in the Kingdom in recent years. It follows the formation of the first women’s national team in 2021 and the first professional women’s league in 2022.

The AFC also confirmed that Saudi Arabia would host one group in the preliminary stages of the competition, marking the second occasion that the Kingdom has hosted a professional women’s football event following the successful West Asian Football Federation Women’s Championship.

This is the icing on the cake for women’s football in the Kingdom, following the conclusion of the second season of the Women’s Premier League.

Hosting the opening rounds will add to Saudi Arabia’s legacy as a global hub for international sporting events, with over 25 major football showcases held in the Kingdom in recent years. 

Yasser Al-Misehal, president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, said: “The fact that Al-Nassr will be competing in the first edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League is a proud moment for Saudi Arabian football, as we achieve another important football milestone in our transformational journey.

“We hope that this will keep inspiring a new generation of girls to engage with the sport.”

SAFF’s Vice President Lamia Bahaian said: “The speed of the journey to reach the pinnacle of women’s club football in Asia is breathtaking.

“Women’s football in the Kingdom is supported at every level but is only possible thanks to the skill, commitment and determination of all the players and coaches in the league.

“We all share in the excitement of this moment. For Saudi Arabia, this is more than just competing. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect, host and learn from the very best in the continent and we will welcome that with open arms. Our journey continues.”

Sara Khalid, the goalkeeper for the Saudi Arabian national women’s team and Al-Nassr, said: “It’s an incredible feeling to have qualified for the first edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League. This moment is a testament to not only the work of everyone at Al-Nassr to support us in our recent successful season, but from everyone within the Kingdom to help us grow the game in our country to this level.”

Women’s football in Saudi Arabia has seen an 86 percent increase in participation within the sport since 2021, with more than 70,000 girls of school age now playing football across the Kingdom.


Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud appointed to Asia yoga board

Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud. (Supplied)
Updated 20 January 2025
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Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud appointed to Asia yoga board

  • Princess Mashael is vice president of Saudi Yoga Committee
  • She has over 15 years of expertise in several yoga traditions

JEDDAH: The Asian Yogasana Sport Federation has announced the appointment of Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud, representing Saudi Arabia, to the organization’s board.

Princess Mashael will also head the federation’s Women and Children’s Safeguarding Committee, the AYSF stated in a press release recently.

The appointment was approved unanimously at the AYSF’s sixth general assembly in Dubai recently.

Princess Mashael, the vice president of the Saudi Yoga Committee, has been instrumental in empowering women and youth, and ensuring athlete safety at various sporting events.

Her appointment represents a significant step toward increasing women’s participation in sports, promoting initiatives to protect women and children, and supporting the growth of Yogasana and traditional sports across Asia.

She has over 15 years of yoga expertise, including Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga vinyasa yoga, the Himalayan tradition of meditation, and yoga therapy.

She trained with the AYSF in 2022, mastering yoga federation management and Yogasana systems.

In addition to her yoga accomplishments, the princess is a passionate advocate for women and youth in sports, the AYSF stated.

She owns and runs a sports nongovernmental organization and heads the women’s committee of the Arab Cycling Federation.


Super heavyweight championship rematch to headline first Saudi Power Slap event

Updated 20 January 2025
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Super heavyweight championship rematch to headline first Saudi Power Slap event

  • It will take place on Jan. 30 as part of Riyadh Season

RIYADH: Power Slap, in partnership with the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, is set to host its first event in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 30 at the anb Arena as part of Riyadh Season.

The focal point of Power Slap 11 will see reigning super heavyweight champion Da Crazy Hawaiian (16-1-1, 12 KOs) and No. 1 ranked super heavyweight Dumpling (1-0-1, 1 KO) face off in a rematch after they drew at Power Slap 9 in Abu Dhabi.

In the co-main event, light heavyweight champion Wolverine (14-5, 5 KOs) returns to defend his belt for the third time against rising contender Vern “The Mechanic” Cathey (5-2, 5 KOs).

Power Slap, founded by Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and Craig Piligian in partnership with Ultimate Fighting Championship, has grown in recent years to reach huge audiences around the world.

In just two years, with only 10 live events, Power Slap has gained 22 million social media followers and its content has garnered over 11.5 billion lifetime views across its platforms. Events regularly draw global influencers with more than a billion followers collectively.

Additional matches on the card include: 

  • No. 2 ranked light heavyweight Russel “Kainoa” Rivero (4-3, 3 KOs) and No. 3 ranked light heavyweight Austin “Turp Daddy Slim” Turpin (5-2, 4 KOs) face off in a pivotal match.
  • 2 ranked super heavyweight Kalani “Toko” Vakameilalo (2-1, 2 KOs) aims to defend his spot in the rankings against No. 3 ranked super heavyweight Danie “The Pitbull” Van Heerden (5-2, 4 KOs).
  • The return of women’s featherweight star Sheena “The Hungarian Hurricane” Bathory (3-0, 2 KOs), in a highly anticipated grudge rematch against Jackie “The Hybrid” Cataline (1-2).

Saudi Arabia, Japan discuss collaboration for 2026 Asian Games

Updated 14 January 2025
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Saudi Arabia, Japan discuss collaboration for 2026 Asian Games

  • Meeting at Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee headquarters in Riyadh

RIYADH: Officials representing the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hisashi Matsumoto discussed on Monday plans for the hosting of the 20th Asian Games and the 5th Asian Para Games in Nagoya city in 2026.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the SOPC’s CEO and Secretary-General Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Baeshen attended the meeting at the organization’s headquarters in Riyadh.

The officials discussed ways to facilitate the participation of Saudi Arabia’s sports delegation in the games.

Collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Japan have strengthened following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the SOPC and the Japanese Olympic Committee on the sidelines of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Set to begin in September, the theme of the 2026 Asian Games is “Imagine One Asia.”


Inter Milan coach maintains optimism despite Italian Supercup loss

Updated 07 January 2025
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Inter Milan coach maintains optimism despite Italian Supercup loss

  • Simone Inzaghi working to regain ‘focus’ as team look to the future

RIYADH: Inter Milan will focus on boosting morale for future games following defeat in the Italian Supercup, Simone Inzaghi, the club’s manager told Arab News on Monday.

AC Milan secured a 3-2 comeback victory over city rivals Inter Milan at Riyadh’s Alawwal Park on Monday.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Inzaghi said: “We should work on motivating the players and the fans. Cheering them up and boosting their morale.

“Defeat is a hard feeling I know but we should work on regaining conscience and focus. We wanted to win the title, but it is what it is.”

Prior to the derby, Arab News interviewed devoted AC Milan fans.

Waleed Alahmed said: “Milan is going to win because of their new manager, (Sergio) Conceicao. I think his way of playing is very good and if (winger Rafael) Leao is there, Milan is going to win.”

After just one week at the helm, Conceicao has now earned his first trophy.

The hosting of the 37th Italian Supercup aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life program and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. It is a part of the country’s plan to continue hosting major global sporting events.

The Ministry of Sports organized the event, which was hosted by the Kingdom for the fifth time.


Bangladesh revamps worker training for Saudi 2034 FIFA World Cup projects

Updated 03 January 2025
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Bangladesh revamps worker training for Saudi 2034 FIFA World Cup projects

  • Govt to prepare training centers with focus on Saudi market demands
  • Reskilling, upskilling services to be provided to migrants already residing in the Kingdom

DHAKA: Bangladeshi authorities are revamping training for prospective migrant workers and will offer upskilling programs to those residing in Saudi Arabia to tap into the labor market ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which the Kingdom will host in 2034.

Last month, the football governing body confirmed that Saudi Arabia had won the bid to host the world’s largest sporting event.

With the bid proposing to hold games across 15 stadiums in five cities, many new migrant workers will be involved in building new sports and transport networks, as well as hotel infrastructure.

In Bangladesh, which has a major expat community in Saudi Arabia, the trend is viewed as an “opportunity” for the country’s migrant workers, according to A.Z.M. Nurul Huq, joint secretary at the employment wing of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.

“It’s a huge task, and a lot of construction works will take place targeting this World Cup event. Here lies the opportunity for us as our migrants have been working with much goodwill in many sectors of the Kingdom for many years,” Huq told Arab News.

“Saudi Arabia has to build over a dozen new stadiums, renovate existing ones and develop numerous new accommodation facilities, along with necessary infrastructure and connectivity.”

Some 3 million Bangladeshi nationals live and work in Saudi Arabia. They are the largest expat group in the Kingdom and also the biggest Bangladeshi community outside Bangladesh.

Many are employed in the construction sector as masons, electricians, pipe fitters, plumbers and electricians.

“Bangladeshi migrants can be more actively employed in the construction work for the FIFA World Cup,” Huq said.

“Works are underway for providing reskilling and upskilling services to migrants who are already in the Kingdom. In this way, our workers will be able to secure their jobs and earn more.”

For the past few years, as Saudi Arabia is prioritizing efforts to improve the professional competence of employees under its Vision 2030 program, the expatriates’ ministry has been collaborating with the Kingdom’s skills verification authority, Takamol.

The agency, which manages migrant skill certification based on the needs of Saudi employers, provides Bangladesh’s 113 technical training centers with a list of the Kingdom’s latest workforce requirements.

“Our centers tailor their programs to equip workers with the necessary skills. Upon completing the training, the prospective migrants receive certification through Takamol, which is recognized by Saudi authorities,” said Shah Zulfiquer Haider, deputy secretary at the ministry’s training wing.

As demand is set to increase in line with 2034 World Cup projects, more Bangladeshi training centers will focus on the Saudi market in particular.

“We are planning to strengthen our collaboration with Takamol,” Haider said. “Currently, a dozen technical training centers are preparing skilled workers to meet Saudi Arabia’s demands. We will soon increase the number of training centers, which will produce more skilled migrants tailored to the needs of the Saudi labor market.”