From Turkiye to Saudi Arabia: A rally champion’s historic comeback

Burcu Cetinkaya is one of Turkiye’s most celebrated rally drivers. (Supplied)
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Updated 30 November 2024
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From Turkiye to Saudi Arabia: A rally champion’s historic comeback

  • Burcu Cetinkaya, winner of the WRC Abu Dhabi Special Award in 2010, is now competing in World Rally Championship round in KSA

ANKARA: “Attention, Female Driver!” — a phrase often found on humorous but outdated and sexist stickers — takes on a powerful new meaning when referring to Burcu Cetinkaya, one of Turkiye’s most celebrated rally drivers.

Far from being a cautionary quip, it becomes an invitation to witness a trailblazer who is not only reclaiming her place in the World Rally Championship, or WRC, but also reshaping the narrative for women in motorsports — a field historically dominated by men.

Cetinkaya, an eight-time Turkish Ladies Rally Champion and the winner of the WRC Abu Dhabi Special Award in 2010, is now embarking on her journey to compete in the World Rally Championship round in Saudi Arabia in 2025.

She has expressed immense excitement about returning to the WRC rallies, as her last participation was back in 2018. She regards the WRC, hosted by the International Automobile Federation, as the pinnacle of global motorsport competition.

Speaking exclusively to Arab News during the F1 Qatar Grand Prix, Cetinkaya reflected on her difficult WRC appearance in 2018.

“I wasn’t ready, the car wasn’t ready and everything felt rushed. It was a harsh reminder of how much preparation and focus this sport requires. But deep inside, my love for rallying never faded — it only grew stronger,” she said.




Cetinkaya, an eight-time Turkish Ladies Rally Champion and the winner of the WRC Abu Dhabi Special Award in 2010, is now embarking on her journey to compete in the World Rally Championship round in Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)

The turning point came when her former manager, Pier Liberali, invited her to a rally in Italy. That invitation reignited her passion and brought her back to the track, competing in the Turkish Rally Championship with a Renault Clio Rally3.

Winning the Ladies Rally Championship for the seventh and eighth time in consecutive years proved to her that her passion for the sport could overcome any challenge.

“This year, my dream to return to international rallies came true. Discussions with my co-driver, Fabrizia Pons, and the excitement of WRC returning to Saudi Arabia pushed me to prepare for my comeback, starting with the Acropolis Rally in Greece, held this September.

“Rallying is not just about winning — it’s about finding yourself through every twist, turn and obstacle. And for me, that journey has been worth every struggle,” she said.

Competing in Saudi Arabia is meaningful for Cetinkaya, both personally and professionally, as it is a full-circle moment that reflects how far things have come — not just in the region, but also in the world of motorsport.

“I’ve raced in the Middle East Rally Championship and traveled extensively in Saudi Arabia, even filming and following events like the Hail Rally. Yet, back then, I wasn’t even allowed to drive on the roads, let alone compete,” she said.




Beyond racing, Cetinkaya has made significant contributions to the global promotion of motorsport. (Supplied)

When Cetinkaya first heard that women were allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, she was ecstatic.

“During the Formula One race in Jeddah, I asked my driver if I could just take the wheel for a moment — just one meter — to feel what that represented. It was a small but powerful experience that I’ll never forget,” she said.

Hearing that WRC was coming to Saudi Arabia felt like the culmination of so much progress.

“Now I have the chance to compete at the highest level of rallying. It’s both a personal triumph and a testament to how change is possible when barriers are broken,” she said.

Cetinkaya’s impressive career includes three years in the Middle East Rally Championship, where she achieved podium finishes in Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar — often standing out as the sole female driver on the podium among a field of men.

“The Middle East Rally Championship that I competed in for three years and also the Qatar Rally Championship, where I finished second overall after the Al-Kuwari brothers, was an amazing experience. It’s much different from the World Rally Championship. There are parts that are easier and parts that are harder,” she said.

“The easier part is that the races are shorter, but the desert conditions were not something that I was used to. When you’re on the mountain roads, you can read the terrain a little, but in the desert it’s much harder to anticipate what’s ahead. Also, the locals were very experienced with the stages, but I wanted to fight hard to secure a top podium position in the general classification.

“Slowly but surely, managing that throughout these three years was an amazing experience. I think at the time, I would have loved to continue and try to win the Middle East Rally Championship, but life is also full of twisty roads. My adventure was just three years long, but who knows? Maybe someday I will come back because it was beautiful,” she added.




Cetinkaya with Fabrizia Pons. (Supplied)

In February this year, Cetinkaya was appointed chairperson of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile Women in Motorsport Commission during the World Motor Sport Council, becoming the first non-EU citizen to hold the prestigious position.

Competing in Turkish, Middle Eastern, European and World Rally Championship events taught Cetinkaya to focus on constant self-improvement: Identifying her weaknesses, building on her strengths and evolving with every race.

“But over time, my perspective has shifted. While I still love the thrill of rallying and give my best every time I compete, my greatest joy now comes from seeing others succeed — especially women in motorsport. As the chair of the Women in Motorsport Commission at the FIA, it’s an honor to support and inspire young girls to step into this incredible world,” she said.

Moments like watching an 8-year-old girl on the podium in the Cross-Car Mini Category at the Motorsport Games, knowing she is there under the wings of her commission, bring Cetinkaya a kind of fulfilment that is unmatched. Seeing these young talents and knowing she can help pave the way for their success is the most rewarding part of her journey right now.

She often reflects on her own childhood experience, remembering how she was inspired to start rally driving after attending a rally aged 12.

“At the time, a Turkish champion rally driver, Emre Yerlici, was racing with an Opel Calibra. There was a big battle between him and Iskender Atakan. When I saw that rally as a 12-year-old child, because of my father’s job, I fell in love with rallying. I fell in love with how it was a team effort and how it required overcoming so many challenges,” she said.




Cetinkaya with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. (Supplied)

Beyond racing, Cetinkaya has made significant contributions to the global promotion of motorsport. She has spearheaded educational collaborations with the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports and Red Bull, and has conducted outreach programs at universities in Pakistan.

“Rallying may have started as my personal passion, but it’s grown into a mission to empower others to achieve their dreams,” she said.

Cetinkaya now looks forward to racing in Saudi Arabia not just for the sport itself, but also for the symbolic power of what it represents: Growth, opportunity, and a future where women can fully take part and shine in motorsport.

She expressed her admiration for the emerging talents from the Middle East, highlighting the region’s growing impact on the global motorsport scene.

“I am so proud and happy to see a lot of talents rising from the Middle East,” Cetinkaya said. “In the Formula 1 Academy, the Al-Qubaisi sisters are present, especially Hamda Al-Qubaisi, who is doing an amazing job.

“Dania Akeel from Saudi Arabia is a rising star in rallies like Dakar, Reem Al-Aboud has driven a Formula E car on International Women’s Day and Reema Juffali was the wildcard entry in the Saudi GP for the Formula 1 Academy. And let’s not forget Nada Zaidan, who competed in many rally events.”


Sao Paulo provides spectacular stage for the 2025 Global Champions Arabians Tour

Updated 16 July 2025
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Sao Paulo provides spectacular stage for the 2025 Global Champions Arabians Tour

  • Arabian horse heritage on show in Brazil before tour moves to Denver

SAO PAULO: The 2025 Sao Paulo edition of the Global Champions Arabians Tour came to a close on Monday evening, with Lughan, owned by Haras Paiquere, claiming the prestigious Senior Stallion Gold Championship title.

Held at the Helvetia Riding Center in Indaiatuba, the Sao Paulo stage was the third stop of the 2025 Americas Series. Over two days, the venue was transformed into an international equestrian extravaganza, welcoming more than 100 purebred Arabian horses and their handlers, as well as an audience of VIPs, horse lovers, and international guests.

With a prize purse of $270,000, the Sao Paulo stage was a key qualifier for the GCAT Americas overall ranking. Winners advanced in the race to claim part of the $1.275 million in end-of-season prize purse, allocated to the top 20 male and female horses and handlers, with an additional $50,000 bonus for the highest-scoring horse of the Americas Series. The tour continues to solidify its reputation as the most prestigious and rewarding in Arabian horse sport.

“Sao Paulo has embraced the spirit of the Global Champions Arabians Tour with energy and elegance,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Thani, deputy CEO, Global Champions Arabians Tour. “This stage celebrated more than just competition; it was a vibrant expression of culture, excellence, and unity that truly elevated the Americas Series.”

The first day of the event concluded with a live performance by Brazilian music legend Gilberto Gil, while the second day featured closing entertainment, followed by the official championship awards ceremony and a show by renowned Brazilian duo Fernando & Sorocaba.

The winning mare and stallion received a custom Sao Paulo champion blanket, vibrant yellow with tropical birds, flowers, and greenery celebrating Arabian strength and the spirit of Brazil.

The Tour’s Americas Series now moves to Stage 4 in Denver, Colorado, on August 8-9, as the journey toward the season’s grand finale in Doha, the World Arabian Horse Championship Supreme, continues.

Gold champions, Sao Paulo 2025

  • Senior stallions: Lughan HVP, owned by Haras Paiquere, Brazil
  • Senior mares: Sephora K, owned by Haras Das Paineiras, Brazil
  • Junior colts: EFC Chaheer W, owned by EFC Arabians, Joao Carlos Inserra Milan, Flavia Torres and Rodrigo Lorenzi de Castro, Brazil
  • Junior fillies: ALK Merlina TE, owned by Al-Kaisar Stud, Uruguay
  • Yearling colts: TM Emperor, owned by Akmal Stud, Saudi Arabia
  • Yearling fillies: Chiarahserondella, owned by Al-Kaisar Stud, Uruguay

2025 Dubai T100 Triathlon weekend set to be ‘bigger and better’

Updated 16 July 2025
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2025 Dubai T100 Triathlon weekend set to be ‘bigger and better’

  • Dubai Sports Council to expand 2025 Dubai T100 edition, with more amateur places in 100 km and sprint distance events up for grabs

DUBAI: The second edition of the Dubai T100 Triathlon Weekend is set to return from Nov. 13–16, 2025, and promises to be “bigger and better,” according to the Dubai Sports Council.

The event will again be held in collaboration with the Professional Triathletes Organization.

General registration is now open for amateur triathletes to take part in the 100 km race (2 km swim, 80 km bike, 18 km run) and the sprint distance (750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run).

Ahmed Al-Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, a division of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism — a key partner of the event — highlighted the strategic value of the triathlon weekend, which will again be included in the annual 30 days of Dubai Fitness Challenge.

“Our continued commitment to developing sports tourism through world-class events like the Dubai T100 Triathlon aligns with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which seeks to position Dubai as a premier global destination for both business and leisure,” he said.

“After the success of the 2024 debut, we are confident that the 2025 edition will attract global attention, contribute to the local economy, and highlight Dubai’s diverse offerings to international audiences.”

Eisa Sharif, director of Sports Events at the Dubai Sports Council, revealed ambitious plans to expand the event in 2025.

“We were delighted to host the T100 Triathlon World Tour in Dubai for the first time last November. The race was a valuable addition to our growing calendar of diverse sporting events, particularly as part of the successful Dubai Fitness Challenge,” he said.

“Dubai has firmly established itself as a global hub for triathlons, offering events for men, women, professionals, and amateurs. With world-class infrastructure and local expertise, we are well-positioned to host major international competitions.”

Sharif said that the T100 had brought together the world’s top triathletes, including Olympic champions, and had crowned the first men’s and women’s T100 world champions, Belgium’s Marten Van Riel and American Taylor Knibb.

“Equally significant was the enthusiastic participation of nearly 10,000 amateur athletes across the 100 km and sprint races, as well as in the untimed 5 km music run, which welcomed participants of all ages and abilities. This community race aligned perfectly with the Dubai Fitness Challenge’s goal of encouraging 30 minutes of activity for 30 days,” he added.

“For 2025, we are working closely with the PTO to expand all three race categories. In addition, we will introduce a schools event and a corporate relay, further enhancing community engagement and reinforcing our vision of promoting healthy, active lifestyles to improve the quality of life in Dubai.”

Sam Renouf, CEO of the Professional Triathletes Organization, said: “The 2024 Dubai T100 Triathlon was a huge success, quickly becoming a bucket-list race on the new T100 World Tour. We’re thrilled to be building on that momentum by creating more opportunities for amateur athletes — and now, corporate teams — to participate in a festival-like celebration of swim, bike, and run around the Meydan Racecourse.”

The 2025 T100 Triathlon World Tour has already visited Singapore (April 5–6), San Francisco (May 31-June 1) and Vancouver (June 14-15).

Swiss Olympic star Julie Derron leads the T100 Race to Qatar rankings for the women, while Belgium’s 2024 T100 world champion Marten Van Riel tops the rankings for men. The next T100 race is in London on Aug. 9-10.


England’s Archer keen to play remaining India Tests, Ashes

Updated 16 July 2025
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England’s Archer keen to play remaining India Tests, Ashes

  • Archer: I can play the other two (against India) if they let me. I don’t want to lose this series
  • Archer made his Test comeback at Lord’s in the third Test, bowling at full tilt to claim five wickets, including three in the second innings as England clinched a 22-run victory to go 2-1 up in the five-match series

LONDON: After missing four years of Test duty due to injury, England speedster Jofra Archer is keen to make up for lost time and says he wants to play the final two Tests against India and prove he deserves a place in the squad for the Ashes series in Australia.

Archer made his Test comeback at Lord’s in the third Test, bowling at full tilt to claim five wickets, including three in the second innings as England clinched a 22-run victory to go 2-1 up in the five-match series.

England management, men’s managing director Rob Key in particular, have been careful about Archer’s workload since his recovery from elbow and back injuries but the bowler is raring to go.

“I can play the other two (against India) if they let me,” Archer told Sky Sports.

“I don’t want to lose this series. I told ‘Keysey’ I wanted to play the test summer and I wanted to play the Ashes.

“I think one tick is already there and I will do everything possible in my power to be on the plane in November.”

It was Archer’s first Test since coach Brendon ‘Baz’ McCullum and captain Ben Stokes took the helm in 2022 and implemented an exciting result-oriented approach.

Archer was happy how his reintegration into the Test squad had been handled.

“Obviously it would have been the format which would have taken the most time to come back to. So I played 50-over and T20 for the last year and a half, two years,” he said.

“The guys have played some really exciting cricket since Baz took over. I think the mentality of the team under Baz suits the way I like to play my cricket.

“I just couldn’t wait to get back and actually do it without having to be prompted to do it.”

The fourth Test against India begins on July 23 in Manchester.


Schauffele starting with blank canvas for Open defense

Updated 16 July 2025
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Schauffele starting with blank canvas for Open defense

  • The 31-year-old produced a blemish-free final-round of 65 at Royal Troon last year to win his second major title to go along with his gold medal from the Tokyo Olympics
  • With the perils of a links course’s sloping greens, cavernous bunkers, knee-deep rough and the wild weather associated with Britain’s coast, it is hardly surprising that defending the title is treacherous

PORTRUSH: Xander Schauffele is super-excited at the prospect of trying to defend his British Open title at Royal Portrush this week but says he will have to come up with a different plan to the one that took him to victory 12 months ago.

“I think a blank canvas is a great place to start. You can paint many different pictures to win a tournament. You’ve just got to do the right one,” the American told reporters on the County Antrim coast on Tuesday after practice.

The 31-year-old produced a blemish-free final-round of 65 at Royal Troon last year to win his second major title to go along with his gold medal from the Tokyo Olympics.

He was the third American in four years to win golf’s oldest major but while that experience will hold him in good stead for the days ahead, he said Portrush’s Dunluce Links will throw up a completely new test of his renowned links golf skills.

“It’s an interesting thing just because my thoughts of playing really well were at Royal Troon,” he said.

“Coming here, I feel like I’m trying to re-learn this golf course, get comfortable with certain sight lines, some blind tee shots. If I can get myself in the mix, that’s when I think I would have an advantage. That’s where my biggest edge would be.

“I can lean on experience at other points in time, but I think the most fun and the biggest advantage I would have is coming down the stretch if I can get close to that lead.”

With the perils of a links course’s sloping greens, cavernous bunkers, knee-deep rough and the wild weather associated with Britain’s coast, it is hardly surprising that defending the title is treacherous.

The last player to do so was Ireland’s Padraig Harrington in 2008 and Schauffele knows the luck of the draw and getting lucky with the weather could be vital this week.

“This week is a pretty good example of having to deal with a wave. There’s typically a good wave and a bad wave in an Open Championship,” he said. “You just keep your fingers crossed that you’re in the good wave and try and play well.

“If you’re not, fight for your life and make the cut and then try and do something on the weekend.”

For a player who grew up in San Diego, it might be surprising how he has embraced the challenge of links golf.

But he said 16-hour trips in the car with his dad as a youngster helped him learn to be creative.

“We drove up to Bandon Dunes from San Diego. It took about 16 hours. I was 13 years old,” he said. “We played three or four days in a row. I think it was just Pacific Dunes and Bandon Dunes at the time. We got the real weather. My rain gear stopped working. It was that much wind and rain.

“I had a blast. As much as it was nice to look forward to a hot shower at the end of the day, I had so much fun for some reason trying to figure out how to play golf in that weather.”

With wind and rain expected to batter Portrush at times over the next five days, he will draw on those experiences again.


Oman hire Carlos Queiroz as coach in push for World Cup qualification

Updated 15 July 2025
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Oman hire Carlos Queiroz as coach in push for World Cup qualification

  • The veteran Portuguese tactician led Iran into the 2014 and 2018 World Cups
  • The 72-year-old Queiroz has also coached Real Madrid, Portugal, Egypt, Colombia and Qatar

MUSCAT: Oman hired Carlos Queiroz as their national-team coach Tuesday ahead of autumn games that will determine if the country advances to the World Cup for the first time.

The veteran Portuguese tactician led Iran into the 2014 and 2018 World Cups and will take over with immediate effect.

Oman and five other countries — Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar — have reached the fourth round of qualifying. From groups of three, the two winners will qualify for the 2026 World Cup next summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The fourth-round draw will be on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The matches are in October. After those, there’s one additional round — the second-place finishers square off in November for a spot in a playoff tournament.

“This comes as part of efforts to improve the team’s performances for upcoming games,” the Oman Football Association said in a statement.

Queiroz replaces Rashid Jaber, who led Oman to a fourth-place finish in the third round to keep qualification hopes alive.

The 72-year-old Queiroz has also coached Real Madrid, Portugal, Egypt, Colombia and Qatar.
Queiroz was fired as Qatar coach in December 2023 after 11 games in charge.