RIYADH: Chile’s Joaquin Niemann will take a narrow one-shot lead into Saturday’s final round of the PIF Saudi International after firing a six-under 65 on Friday to move to 17-under-par.
Niemann leads Americans Peter Uihlein (66) — who is heading The International Series’ rankings list and has proved his winning pedigree with two victories already this season — and 20-year-old Caleb Surratt, who smashed the course record at Riyadh Golf Club with a 10-under 61 on Friday.
Behind them lurk a host of world-class talents and proven winners, including Britain’s three-time European Ryder Cup player Tyrrell Hatton (66), who shares joint fourth spot with two more Americans — Jason Kokrak and Logan McAllister — on 15-under.
It is still anyone’s guess who will emerge as Saturday’s winner at the Golf Saudi event, and Niemann said afterwards that he knew he would need to be at the top of his game again to take away the handsome silver trophy.
He said: “I don’t know what score would do it. All I know is that it will have to be lower than the others.”
The Chilean has so far been a model of consistency this week, sandwiching first and third rounds of 65 with a 66 on Thursday. On Friday he needed to stay patient, having to wait 10 holes before he added another birdie to his opening two at the first couple of holes.
His round really caught fire on the par-5 15th with an eagle three, and he finished off in style with a birdie at the last to take the slimmest of leads.
Earlier, the focus had been firmly on American Surratt, who only turned professional at the start of the year but has already shown considerable promise in his first handful of tournaments.
That rich potential was translated into a string of eight birdies and an eagle at the long 12th hole to leave him 16-under-par.
The young prospect from Indian Trail, North Carolina, who has yet to win a professional tournament, could hardly believe his own sizzling form, especially on a course that he had never played until this week.
His score could have been even more impressive but his chip just off the green for birdie at the par-4 18th hit the pin and rolled just a couple of inches away.
Surratt said: “It would mean everything (if I win). I don’t have half the experience a lot of these guys do, so I need to keep my head together and play like it’s with my friends back home.”
Saturday’s final round should be a feast of thrilling golf for the sellout crowd at Riyadh Golf Club.
Joaquin Niemann takes 1-shot lead into final round of PIF Saudi International
https://arab.news/r8qms
Joaquin Niemann takes 1-shot lead into final round of PIF Saudi International
- The Chilean has been model of consistency this week, sandwiching first and third rounds of 65 with 66 on Thursday
- Focus earlier had been firmly on American Caleb Surratt
PSG coach Enrique having ‘best season of my career’
The former Barcelona and Spain coach brushed aside talk of tensions with France winger Ousmane Dembele
POISSY, France: Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique insisted Saturday the statistics indicate “the best season” of his career as he brushed aside talk of tensions with some of his players.
“Statistically, it’s my best as a coach. Even if you (the media) criticize, that there are lies invented, it’s my best in terms of numbers, chances generated by us, by the opponents, it’s the best,” the Spaniard said ahead of Sunday’s league match against Lyon.
PSG head into the final round of Ligue 1 games this calendar year unbeaten domestically and with a five-point lead from nearest challengers Marseille and Monaco at the top of the table.
However, they are in 25th place in the Champions League rankings and in the elimination zone of the elite European tournament.
“I look at everything the team does, the players, and we don’t depend on any particular player, only on the team. And I see that the level of training is rising, that the players are getting better every day,” he said.
The former Barcelona and Spain coach brushed aside talk of tensions with France winger Ousmane Dembele, insisting he had “the same relationship with all the players.”
“I’m a coach. I’m not their father, brother or ‘bro’, I decide, I have to make decisions, I have no problem making them, those that I consider to be the best for my team,” he explained.
The idea is to “get everyone out of the comfort zone, those who play more as well as those who play less. I have always done it in my career and I do not intend to change.
“To see the best version of these players, we can make unpopular decisions. It’s a team, like an orchestra, there can’t always be players doing the same thing, we have to coordinate.”
After the Lyon match, PSG play Monaco in Ligue 1 next Wednesday followed by a French Cup tie against Lens on December 22.
Diallo reelected head of French football
- Diallo won just over 55 percent of the vote to beat Le Graet’s former ally Pierre Samsonoff
- Diallo, 61, welcome the “strong legitimacy” the vote gave him and praised the “democratic maturity which does honor to our sport
PARIS: Philippe Diallo was comfortably reelected president of the French Football Federation on Saturday.
Diallo, who took over after the resignation of long-standing former chief Noel Le Graet in 2023, won just over 55 percent of the vote to beat Le Graet’s former ally Pierre Samsonoff.
For the first time in France’s largest sports federation which boosts 2.4 million members, the presidents of amateur clubs could vote electronically along with the heads of professional clubs with 11,500 voters compared to fewer than 250 previously.
Diallo, 61, welcome the “strong legitimacy” the vote gave him and praised the “democratic maturity which does honor to our sport.”
He said he would begin a nationwide discussion on French football from mid-January “to define together our roadmap for aid to amateur football.”
During the campaign Diallo highlighted his record within the federation including a 100 million euros ($105 million) per year contract from 2026 with American sportswear brand Nike.
Diallo also courted amateur football by increasing the budget from 100 to 150 million euros annually between now and 2028, and underlined his ambition for women’s football where he wants to double membership from 250,000 to 500,000 within five years.
Diallo stepped up in January 2023 when Le Graet first moved aside and then was forced to resign following accusations of sexual and psychological harassment, bringing to an end more than a decade in charge.
President Mohammed Ben Sulayem announces FIA’s return to profitability
- ‘Improvement in financial health due to significant reduction of operating costs through an increase in revenues and savings’
DUBAI: Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the FIA president, has lauded the organization’s return to profitability due to a significant reduction of operating costs driven by an increase in revenues and savings.
The Emirati former professional rally driver, who was appointed FIA president in December 2021, was speaking after financial results to date for 2024 were unveiled at World Council meetings during the FIA General Assemblies Week in Kigali, Rwanda.
The FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) is the governing body of motorsport, including Formula 1, and promotes safe, sustainable and accessible mobility for all road users across the world.
The FIA forecasts an operating result of $2.3 million (SR8.6 million) profit in 2024 — a remarkable improvement given that it stood at just over $25 million loss in 2021. The forecast operating result would be the best of the last seven years and the first positive one since 2018.
This accomplishment is the product of a wide-ranging reform of the FIA introduced by 63-year-old Dubai-born FIA President Ben Sulayem. This included a fully independent financial audit of the organization.
“This achievement is a result of our commitment of reform of the organization in the areas of governance and finance,” Ben Sulayem said.
“The new FIA leadership inherited a financial situation which was not sustainable in 2022. We have worked hard to reduce a sizeable deficit and have stabilized the overall financial health of the federation.
“We have implemented cost-containment measures and revenue-generating strategies to put the FIA on a more sustainable financial footing to meet our primary purpose of supporting our member clubs.”
Several measures have been introduced to streamline the FIA’s accounting and reporting procedures to create a sustainable financial model.
Ben Sulayem said that the future of motorsport was being “driven by innovation and purpose,” noting significant investment from the FIA across global grassroots activities alongside substantial research and development in the safety, volunteers and officials spaces.
The Vision 2030: FIA Motorsport Strategy, which provides a substantial platform for growth and further success, was also unveiled in Kigali during the FIA General Assemblies Week, with more details to be shared in 2025.
“This year has been a time of change and growth,” Ben Sulayem said. “We have built a stronger organization redefining our leadership with high-level appointments that bring a wealth of professional experience to the Federation.
“Together, we are forging the future of global motorsport and as we celebrate 120 years of the FIA, we honor the achievements of our past while propelling ourselves to a future driven by innovation and purpose.
“The FIA is on the right track. The 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season was record-breaking and highly competitive, and we continue our collaboration with Formula 1 and General Motors as we move toward an eleventh team on the grid from 2026.”
The 2024 F1 season concluded in dramatic style with the FIA Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship being decided at the final race in Abu Dhabi earlier this month. McLaren claimed the honors in the UAE capital city, winning their first FIA Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship in 26 years.
Baniyas leads Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship at Mubadala Arena
- Day 1 of the fifth and final round of the competition saw Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club in second, followed by MOD UAE in third place
ABU DHABI: Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club took the lead on the opening day of the fifth and final round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship at Mubadala Arena, Abu Dhabi.
Competitions for men and women in the U18, adult and master categories began with hundreds of athletes from leading clubs and academies across the UAE competing on the mats.
Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club finished second, followed by MOD UAE in third place.
“Today, we witnessed matches that reflect strength, performance and the spirit of challenge in the youth, adult and master categories,” said Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation. “The athletes demonstrated outstanding skills and experience, positioning themselves as role models for future generations of athletes.”
Al-Dhaheri said that the championship, in its inaugural event, had established itself as a vital platform for nurturing a new generation of champions who embodied the nation’s aspirations and had the potential to represent the UAE on international stages.
Ribamar Santiago, coach of Baniyas Club, said: “The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship has elevated the level of challenge for all participants and clubs. It unites elite players in a professional and well-organized competitive atmosphere. We are honored to be part of this prestigious tournament, which serves as a fitting finale to a dynamic sports season.
“Baniyas Club is competing with 328 male and female players over three days,” Santiago said. “Our athletes delivered exceptional performances today, with matches testing their skills at the highest level. The fierce competition inspires us to refine our strategies and enhance our performance. We are eager to maintain our momentum and aim for podium finishes in the days ahead.”
After Wasim, Pakistan cricketer Amir retires from international cricket
- Amir came out of retirement in April after nearly four years to participate in T20 World Cup 2024
- Amir, 32, has played 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 62 T20Is for Pakistan since his international debut in 2009
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir has announced his retirement from international cricket, a day after all-rounder Imad Wasim did the same, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday.
Left-arm pacer Amir, 32, returned to international cricket after nearly four years in April this year for the T20 World Cup. He has featured in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 62 T20Is for Pakistan since making his international debut in June 2009.
Amir has also taken 271 international wickets and scored 1,179 runs across the three formats. His retirement announcement follows a day after Wasim publicly said he was retiring from international cricket after putting much thought and reflection into the matter.
“All-rounder Imad Wasim and left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir have announced their retirements from international cricket,” the PCB said. “Both players last featured for Pakistan in this year’s ICC T20 World Cup held in the USA and West Indies.”
The PCB said Amir and Wasim have both been “key members of the Pakistan men’s cricket team” over the years and also represented the Pakistan U-19 team.
Amir was also part of the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup winning squad, and with Wasim, both were an integral part of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy winning squad.
“It has been a great honor to play for Pakistan across all three formats,” Amir said. “I know this is a difficult decision, but I feel this is the right time for the next generation to take the baton and elevate Pakistan cricket to new heights.”
The Pakistani pacer thanked the PCB for extending “much-needed support” over the years and the Pakistani fans.
After rising as one of the most promising talents in international cricket in 2009, Amir was one of three Pakistan players banned from cricket for five years for spot-fixing during a Test match in England after being caught in a newspaper sting.
He was later jailed in the UK for six months.
He returned to the squad years later and proved instrumental in helping Pakistan win the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in England.
