DUBAI: The coach of 19-year-old Lebanese football sensation Celine Haidar, who is in a coma after suffering a serious head injury during an Israeli airstrike last weekend, on Friday called on fans to pray for her.
Samer Barbary told Arab News that Haidar has been in a critical but stable condition since she was injured on Nov. 16.
“She is Lebanon’s Sergio Busquets and has got remarkable skills in her position as a central midfielder,” he said. “I call on all her fans and the Lebanese public to pray for her swift recovery.
Haidar, who is a youth international and captains her club, Beirut Football Academy, was hit by a piece of metal as she fled her home in Al-Chiyyah in Beirut’s southern suburbs following an Israeli warning of an imminent attack on the area, her father Abbas Haidar said.
“Our area has been subject to ongoing threats and bombardments,” he added, and so the family had moved to a safer location as a result.
“Celine is a very vibrant and sociable person and loved by all her teammates and schoolmates. She is the one who found us a house in Baakline (a mountainous area outside Beirut) through her friend … like everybody who has been displaced, we moved out.”
However, Haidar only remained in Baakline with her family for two days before returning to Al-Chiyyah so that she could continue to go to school and attend football training.
“I advised her not to go because the situation was dangerous but she is a persistent and lively person,” her father said. “Whenever the Israelis threatened to hit, she would leave home and then return later. On Saturday (Nov. 16), I called her at 10 a.m. and told her there was a threat.”
A few hours later, he received a telephone call from a stranger who told him his daughter was in hospital.
“Her doctors are saying she is in a critical situation,” he told Arab News. “We are praying for her recovery and following up on her medical developments so closely. She has been in a coma for six days and doctors have been giving us contradictory signals.”
Coach Barbary said: “She sustained a serious fracture to her skull and underwent major surgery on Saturday. She is fighting for her life but her situation hasn’t worsened.”
Haidar was initially admitted to Saint Therese Medical Center in Hadath, south of Beirut, but it was “not safe at all and was affected by an airstrike,” Barbary said, so she was transferred to the city’s Saint George Hospital.
Rising star Haidar represented her country as a member of the under-19 women’s national team who won the 2022 West Asia Cup, hosted by Lebanon, and has been selected to play for the senior national team.
“Celine is one of the best football midfielders in Lebanon … she is consistent, stable and a leader,” said Barbary, who coaches the BFA team.
“Before joining BFA three years ago, she played for Safa Club and won with them the Lebanese National League. She has contributed a lot to us, especially in the under-19 championship that we won. She also played a major role in us winning the 2024 league unbeaten.”
Haidar’s club posted a message on Instagram on Tuesday updating fans on her condition, saying: “As stated by her doctors to our team, currently, Celine’s condition is stable and the intracranial bleeding is under control.”
In another post, the club said: “Yesterday, (Thursday) during a heartfelt ceremony, her teammates lit candles and we united in a moment of reflection, thoughts and prayers for her recovery.
“As we honored Lebanon’s strength this year, our dedication was for Celine, whose strength inspires us all. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers as we continue to rally together for her recovery.”
Teenage Lebanese international football star in coma after Israeli airstrike
https://arab.news/5ew3c
Teenage Lebanese international football star in coma after Israeli airstrike
- Celine Haidar ‘is Lebanon’s Sergio Busquets … I call on all her fans and the Lebanese public to pray for her swift recovery,’ coach Samer Barbary tells Arab News
- Her father Abbas Haidar says: ‘Her doctors are saying she is in a critical situation … She has been in a coma for 6 days and doctors have been giving us contradictory signals’
Spanish sailors ride wave of $2m win, Olympic gold medal to lead Los Gallos into SailGP’s Season 5
- SailGP’s Season 5 starts with the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix on Saturday and Sunday
- After ending the Aussies’ dominance, Los Gallos are a proven entity heading into a new season that features a fleet that’s grown to 12 boats and a 14-regatta schedule that will end with the $2 million dash for cash
SAN DIEGO, California: Spaniards Diego Botin and Florian Trittel experienced an adrenaline rush last summer that’s never been seen in sailing.
On July 14 on San Francisco Bay, they helped sail Los Gallos’ foiling catamaran to a stunning upset over heavyweights Tom Slingsby of Australia and Peter Burling of New Zealand and claim the $2 million, winner-take-all prize as SailGP’s Season 4 champions.
Just 19 days later, the 30-year-olds won the Olympic gold medal in the high-performance 49er class in Marseille, France. They later met King Felipe VI of Spain, himself a former Olympic sailor.
They needed some time to catch their breath after their wild ride.
“I’m not going to lie. Right after the games I was saturated,” said Botin, who skippers the SailGP crew while Trittel trims the wingsail.
After a break of a few months, Los Gallos — “roosters” in Spanish — are preparing to defend their title in Larry Ellison’s global league. SailGP’s Season 5 starts with the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix on Saturday and Sunday.
“Now I’m starting to feel those butterflies and I look forward now to start the next season,” Botin said recently in a video interview with The Associated Press.
In early January, SailGP saw two of its marquee names step away from skippering their teams, Ben Ainslie to focus on his British team in the America’s Cup and Jimmy Spithill to start forming his own Italian-based SailGP team.
Three-time defending SailGP champion Tom Slingsby of Australia, who suddenly became the league’s senior statesman, said it was time for younger skippers to step up “and try to knock us older guys off the perch.”
Said Botin: “It probably pushed us a bit to even put more energy in and try to get there.”
Botin and Trittel’s Olympic campaign coincided with SailGP’s schedule.
In early July, “We looked at ourselves and said, ‘The two biggest goals of our lives are going to be decided in the next three weeks,’” Botin said. “And it was a massive challenge, what we did, deciding to do the two projects at the same time. But we believed that by doing the two projects we were going to end up being the best sailors we could be.
“Obviously, we didn’t know if things were going to go so well. But yeah, it’s super satisfying. What we achieved is amazing. A life highlight.”
After ending the Aussies’ dominance, Los Gallos are a proven entity heading into a new season that features a fleet that’s grown to 12 boats and a 14-regatta schedule that will end with the $2 million dash for cash.
Spithill launched his Italian team Thursday and poached Australian wing trimmer Kyle Langford. Olympic gold medalist Giles Scott moved from Britain to Canada in the sport’s first transfer fee deal. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Martine Grael of Brazil will become the first woman to helm a SailGP boat. Burling is coming off Emirates Team New Zealand’s third straight America’s Cup victory and Slingsby is always motivated to win.
“I think we have the team to challenge those teams,” Botin said. “I think we have the potential to keep fighting at the top of the league. I think we need to remind ourselves how much work it took us to be able to be competitive in this league, to maintain ourselves there. We need to work in a very intelligent way and I really believe we have the team to be at the top of the league.”
The Spanish team’s 50-foot foiling catamaran has a red outline of a rooster on its wingsail.
Botin said the Los Gallos nickname started with the Spanish team in the 2017 Youth America’s Cup.
“In the north of Spain, it’s really typical instead of saying ‘buddy’ or ‘mate,’ you say, ‘gallo.’ And we’re calling ourselves ‘gallos’ all the time — ‘gallo, gallo, gallo.’ We ended up being in the press and everywhere as Los Gallos. And that’s why we decided to link our team to this icon.”
Botin and Trittel were named the male Rolex World Sailors of the Year this month.
“If that’s a sign of what’s coming through in terms of the next stars of our sport, we’re in good hands,” Spithill said. “They’re such awesome athletes but just awesome dudes as well.”
Netherlands beat Germany to reach first Davis Cup final
- The Dutch knocked out Rafael Nadal’s Spain in the last eight on Tuesday on the way to their first final in 104 years of competing
- Tallon Griekspoor ground down Jan-Lennard Struff 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-4 in the second singles rubber to eliminate the three-time winners in the semifinals
MALAGA, Spain: Netherlands reached the Davis Cup final for the first time with a battling 2-0 win over Germany on Friday.
Tallon Griekspoor ground down Jan-Lennard Struff 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-4 in the second singles rubber to eliminate the three-time winners in the semifinals.
Botic van de Zandschulp beat Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 6-7 (12/14), 6-3 in a hard-fought opening match to set Netherlands on their way.
The Dutch knocked out Rafael Nadal’s Spain in the last eight on Tuesday on the way to their first final in 104 years of competing.
They then ousted Germany, who last triumphed in 1993 and were hoping to reach a sixth final.
“I’m unbelievably proud, they played so well,” said Dutch captain Paul Haarhuis, who was part of the team last time they made the semifinals 23 years ago.
Van de Zandschulp kicked off the tie by claiming a scrappy victory with his 10th match point in two hours 44 minutes.
“It could have been easier but I did it the hard way,” said the Dutchman who sent 22-time Grand Slam title winner Nadal into retirement on Tuesday with a famous win.
“At some point, I didn’t know what to do any more on the match points.”
Neither player blinked in a first set with few thrills, until the Dutchman, ranked 80th, nosed ahead for a 5-4 lead which he served out, clinching when Altmaier went wide.
Van de Zandschulp broke in the fifth game of the second set and consolidated for a 4-2 lead, taking full control of the match.
The Dutchman forced four break points in the next game, but the world number 88 managed to escape with three aces to avoid a double break.
Moving into a higher gear the German was able to get back on serve at 4-4, converting his third break point at the end of the match’s longest rally when Van de Zandschulp failed at the net.
The Dutch player brought up five match points in the tie-break but could not hold his nerve and Altmaier took his fourth set point with a smash to force a third set.
Van de Zandschulp broke in the second game, but Altmaier immediately responded.
The Dutchman produced another break of serve to open up a 5-3 lead and, after wasting four more match points, wrapped up the win with his 10th as Altmaier could not return a powerful serve.
“I had the toughest match of my life on Tuesday (against Nadal), so everything that comes next is a little bit easier,” added Van de Zandschulp.
Big servers Struff and Griekspoor could not force a break in the first set, or even a break point, and a tie-break quickly became inevitable.
The German imposed himself with two mini-breaks and took his third set point.
Griekspoor battled hard to hold in the eighth game of the second set, the first in the match to go to deuce, and the Dutchman saved two break points.
The world No. 40 produced one of his own to snatch a 6-5 lead against Struff, ranked three places lower, and polished off the set with an ace blasted down the middle.
Struff hammered a poor smash into the net from a Griekspoor lob to gift a break in the first game of the third set and the Dutchman produced five holds to triumph, barely allowing his opponent a sniff on his serve.
Griekspoor finished the tie with an ace, his 25th of the night, and fell to his knees in celebration as orange-clad Dutch fans celebrated with glee.
“I felt like the level of the match was unbelievable, both of us were serving unreal,” said Griekspoor.
“Big respect to him but very happy to make the final.”
Saudi team reignite qualification hopes by beating Bhutan in T20 World Cup qualifier
- With the win, Saudi Arabia left the bottom of the table, climb to fifth place
- Malaysia and Kuwait have already booked their spot from Asia Group A qualifier
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia registered their first victory in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier B as they beat Bhutan in Doha, Qatar on Friday.
Saudi Arabia were dominant in all fronts as they overcame Bhutan’s challenge by huge margin of 85 runs. Bhutan could only muster 85-8 in reply to Saudi’s 170-7 in 20 overs.
Bhutan invited Saudi Arabia to have a bit first at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium and the openers used it to their advantage. Abdul Waheed and Faisal Khan brought up 50-run partnership in just 23 balls. Waheed, who hit 18 off 15 holed out to long on in second ball of sixth over.
Faisal, who hit Karma Dorji for 24 runs in the fourth over then went boundary-less for the next nine balls and ultimately fell to Sagar Pradhan. He hit 3 fours and 4 sixes in his 20-ball-42.
Skipper Waji Ul Hassan then steadied the ship for Saudi Arabia as he stitched mini partnerships with Usman Khalid (14) and Manan Ali (12). While Waji kept the scoreboard ticking his partners were slower than run-a-ball against Bhutan’s bowlers.
Player of the match Waji brought on his second T20 half century hitting Dorji for a six and a four in 16th over. He then followed one wide but hit straight to mid wicket. He ended scoring 52 runs off 39 balls with 3 fours and sixes each.
Zain Ul Abidin and Usman Najeeb hit a six each towards the end as Saudi reached 170 mark.
In reply, Ishtiaq Ahmad rocked the top order of Bhutan with double blow. After giving away single in first over he came back to take wickets of Tenjin Ragbey and skipper Thinley Jamtsho in consecutive deliveries, both for nought.
Bhutan were soon reduced to 10-3 as Usman. Najeeb hit Mikyo Dorji’s off stump.
Bhutan were 29-4 midway through their innings. But Jigme Singye’s 35 runs helped Bhutan to 85 runs in 20 overs. Singye, who 2 fours and sixes each in 41 balls was run out in the last over. Ishtiaq and Usman took 2 wickets each while Shahzaib, Zain Ul Abidin and Abdul Waheed got one each.
Despite losing first two matches in the tournament, Skipper Waji was hopeful of making it to the next round. ‘We didn’t achieve expected result in first two matches, but this win will help us. The tournament is long and we are hopeful of getting results to aid our target,’ he said.
Saudi Arabia have left the bottom of the table with this win as they climb to fifth. UAE, who beat Cambodia by 5 wickets have maximum 6 points in 3 matches. Hosts Qatar and Thailand have 4 points each. Bahrain are on level with Saudi while Bhutan and Cambodia are yet to open their account.
Top two teams from this qualifier will play the regional final, which serves as pathway for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup to be held in 2026.
Malaysia and Kuwait have already booked their spot from Asia Group A qualifier, while Samoa and Japan are representing the East Asia-Pacific region. Nepal, Oman and Papua New Guinea will also compete in the regional finals.
PSG beat Toulouse 3-0, Akliouche double gives Monaco home win over Brest
- The scoreline was harsh on Toulouse, who came into the game in a more even second half
- The win was a confidence boost for Luis Enrique’s side ahead of next Tuesday’s Champions League encounter at Bayern Munich
PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain retained a six-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 after a labored 3-0 home win over Toulouse on Friday.
The defending champion dominated the first half but it took until the 35th minute to open the scoring.
Young Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves spun to meet a cross from the right and struck a superb half volley from just outside the box.
Lucas Beraldo got a second with six minutes remaining when he pounced on loose ball and fired home.
Vitinha made it 3-0 in stoppage time when he showed fine footwork inside the box to finish off a quick counterattack.
The scoreline was harsh on Toulouse, who came into the game in a more even second half.
Only Vitinha’s last-gasp tackle stopped Zakaria Aboukhlal from equalizing after 69 minutes and then Shavy Babicka blazed over from close range a minute later when he should have hit the target.
The win was a confidence boost for Luis Enrique’s side ahead of next Tuesday’s Champions League encounter at Bayern Munich.
PSG lie in 25th place in the 36-team Champions League table with one win in four matches and outside the playoff spots.
Monaco beat Brest
The win came immediately after second-placed Monaco beat Brest 3-2 to briefly close the gap at the top to three points.
Brest, who face Barcelona next week in the Champions League, turned in another inconsistent French league performance and not the sparkling form they have shown in Europe.
Brest have struggled in Ligue 1, where they remain 12th, but shone with three wins from four in their first-ever Champions League campaign.
It was behind after just five minutes on Friday when Maghnes Akliouche scored with a superb airborne volley, and 2-0 down after 24 minutes thanks to Aleksandr Golovin.
The Russian striker seized on a poor pass just outside the Brest penalty area and his low shot was perfectly placed to sneak in off the post and give him his first goal in nine league appearances.
On-loan Brighton striker Abdallah Sima used his 1.88-meter frame to outjump the Monaco defense four minutes into the second half and cut the deficit but Akliouche restored Monaco’s two-goal cushion when he brilliantly finished a quick counterattack in stoppage time.
Ludovic Ajorque got a second for Brest in the sixth minute of added time but it was not enough in a second half most notable for the red card shown to Brest coach Eric Roy.
Formula E to enhance its ‘FIA Girls on Track’ initiative at all races in Season 11
- The gender-diversity program, now in its 7th year, has provided career and education advice and support to more than 4,500 young women
- The new race season begins in December and the Jeddah E-Prix, which replaces the Diriyah E-Prix, will take place at the city’s Corniche Circuit on Feb. 14-15
LONDON: Formula E has unveiled plans to expand and enhance its grassroots gender-diversity initiative, FIA Girls on Track, to give 50 young women the chance to participate in new race-day activities at each event on the 2024/25 calendar, including the Jeddah E-Prix on February 14 and 15.
A further 120 women will take part in behind-the-scenes activities the day before each race, as organizers offer exclusive access to young women interested in a career in motorsport or the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. The participants will even have a role to play on the victory podium at each race.
Formula E said it is reaffirming its commitment to education and gender inclusivity in motorsport by also extending the support it provides to grassroots initiatives, giving more young women than ever the chance to access and learn from the experiences within the all-electric competition. For example, it will provide e-karting opportunities and activities in schools and universities.
The expansion of the initiative is part of a broader, long-term strategy to advance gender equality by removing barriers, expanding opportunities and providing pathways for women to build careers in the sport, organizers said.
Most recently, in a world first within an FIA championship, Formula E organized an all-women’s test event that gave elite drivers, including Bianca Bustamante and Ella Lloyd of the NEOM McLaren race team, a unique opportunity to develop their skills in the latest version of the electric racing cars. The new GEN3 Evo is capable of 0-60 mph in 1.82 seconds, 30 percent faster than the current generation of F1 cars.
Driving for the Nissan Formula E team, Abi Pulling, who currently leads the junior-level F1 Academy championship, recorded the quickest time during the three-hour test session amid a field of 17 drivers representing the top tier of women’s driving. Bustamante managed the third-fastest time of the day in the NEOM McLaren car, with an impressive 1 minute 31.715 seconds.
Last season, Formula E expanded its Girls on Track experiences to include local girls and young women between the ages of 12 and 18, and delivered 27 events during 11 race weekends at the track and in communities.
Organizers said the initiative has supported more than 4,500 young women globally since its partnership with the FIA began. This season, they added, the program aims to reach more young women than ever, amid growing interest among them in careers in motorsport.
During each race weekend, 120 young women will take part in behind-the-scenes tours and workshops on the day before the big race. On race days, 50 young women will be granted exclusive access to the FIA Girls on Track space within the Fan Village, and have the option to attend inspirational career talks given by women working within Formula E, who will offer guidance and advice about varied career options in the sport across disciplines including engineering, technology, driving, team management, sustainability, and media and marketing.
“We’re committed to continuing to provide as much opportunity as possible to young women who want to come and work in the industry,” said Julia Palle, vice president of sustainability at Formula E.
“We’re all too aware of the imbalance between male and female roles, so with an ever-growing program of events and opportunities where women can learn and grow in confidence, the industry will begin to balance itself and benefit everyone involved.
“Our commitment to women, though, is not just at the grassroots but at the pinnacle of the sport too. In Madrid, hosting an all-women’s test session provided a crucial opportunity for them to test themselves using current technology that we hope will not only develop their own skill sets but be inspirational to many of the young women involved in our FIA Girls on Track program, too.”
After successful races in Diriyah over the past six seasons, Formula E announced this year that Jeddah will be the new race venue in the Kingdom, with the event taking place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the world’s fastest street track, in February.
