Grant back in Italy hoping to follow Sinner as the country’s next tennis star
ROME: Tyra Caterina Grant grew up playing and living at the same tennis academy in northern Italy that Jannik Sinner attended before he went on to become No. 1.
Britain Sport News
NEOM launches Champions of Progress initiative to drive community football
NEOM: The Asian Football Confederation’s official partner, NEOM, on Wednesday launched an initiative that aims to celebrate community heroes in football across Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and Asia. Known as Champions of Progress, the scheme will use football’s global platform to drive positive change across the region and help the development of talent from grassroots to elite players. The partnership supports NEOM’s vision to grow football in the Kingdom, improve access to physical activity for people and help make the country a global sports destination, it said in a statement. “Champions of Progress seeks to celebrate individuals and projects that promote positive community engagement, support innovative sports development and show a commitment to diversity and inclusion in football,” it said. The initiative is open to individuals aged 18 and above from across the region, as well as projects that have had a significant impact in the development of football at a community level, increased participation numbers or improved accessibility. A panel of judges, including experts from NEOM and AFC, will review all submissions to determine the winners. The six “champions” will be invited to the AFC Champions League Elite at the beginning of the 2025/26 season where they will meet senior members of the Saudi football community. Their stories will also be shared across selected partnership channels to drive awareness and encourage positive change in pan-Asian football.
‘Mr Dakar’ Peterhansel returns with Defender for 2026
RABAT: ‘Mr Dakar’ Stephane Peterhansel, a record 14 times winner of the Dakar Rally, will return to the gruelling endurance event next year aged 60 as a driver for Jaguar Land Rover’s Defender brand. The Frenchman, who turns 60 in August, did not enter this year after Audi withdrew but will be back in Saudi Arabia next January competing in the Stock category for production-based vehicles.
Maro Itoje set for Lions captaincy with squad named on Thursday
Maro Itoje is expected to be named the first English captain of the British and Irish Lions since Martin Johnson in 2001 when the squad for this summer’s tour to Australia is announced on Thursday.
Man Utd seek to finish off Athletic Bilbao in chase for Europa glory
MANCHESTER: Manchester United are preparing for the second leg of their Europa League semifinal against Athletic Bilbao knowing only a calamity will prevent a likely showdown with Tottenham later this month. Ruben Amorim’s men came away from the first leg in northern Spain last week with one foot firmly in the final, also in Bilbao, after an impressive 3-0 win. It was an extraordinary result in a season of ceaseless turmoil at United and the club reverted to type on Sunday, crashing to their 16th Premier League loss of a miserable season at Brentford. United have now suffered their highest number of league defeats in a campaign for 35 years.
Favourite Roglic eyes becoming oldest Giro d'Italia winner
Slovenia's Primoz Roglic sets out to become the oldest winner of the Giro d'Italia when the year's first Grand Tour begins its 3,413 km trek from Albania to Rome on Saturday.
Alpine promotes Franco Colapinto to replace Jack Doohan for the next 5 Formula 1 Grand Prix races
LONDON: Formula 1 team Alpine has changed its driver lineup to promote Franco Colapinto for at least the next five Grand Prix races at the expense of Jack Doohan. Alpine confirmed the change Wednesday, a day after Oliver Oakes quit as team principal. The team said Flavio Briatore will continue as executive adviser and will cover Oakes’ duties. “Colapinto will be paired with Pierre Gasly from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, ahead of a new evaluation before the British Grand Prix in July,” Alpine said in a statement. Alpine is ninth in the F1 constructors’ standings after six rounds.
Dover Athletic was always my priority says Baller League UK player Alfie Matthews after winning promotion in Isthmian Premier play-offs
Play-off hero Alfie Matthews believes his Dover performances have ended any doubts about his priorities.