‘Secret weapon’: PFL MENA champion Omar El-Dafrawy credits daily discipline for success
DUBAI: What does it take to succeed in MMA? If you ask PFL MENA Welterweight Champion Omar “God First” El-Dafrawy, it is all about commitment.
ABU DHABI Sport News
Record-breaking Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ‘continues to raise the bar,’ says Ethara CEO Saif Al-Noaimi
ABU DHABI: Ethara, the organizers of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, have revealed that 2024 was their biggest year yet, with $340 million in visitor spend from 192,000 fans over the four days.
UCI chief says Israeli athletes are welcome amid boycott calls
Lappartient said: “We are not a tool for sanctions, we are a tool in the service of an ideal of bringing people together with the unifying power of sport”He dismissed questions about double standards despite the UCI’s ban on Russian and Belarusian teams from events over Russia’s war in UkraineKIGALI: The world cycling governing body (UCI) will continue to welcome Israeli athletes at its competitions despite calls for sporting boycotts, UCI president David Lappartient declared on Friday, saying sport should unite rather than punish.Lappartient, who was re-elected the body’s president for a third four-year term at the UCI Congress on Thursday, was speaking on the sidelines of the World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda.Earlier this week, a UN Commission of Inquiry said in a report that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza — an accusation that Israel has dismissed — and called for Israel’s suspension from international football, but Lappartient said the UCI would not go down that path.“It is perfectly normal for them to be here, because we believe — and I am speaking on behalf of the UCI but I could almost say that these are also Olympic values — that sport is not a tool for punishment,” he told reporters.’NOT A TOOL FOR SANCTIONS’Lappartient, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), added: “The IOC has confirmed our position.“We are not a tool for sanctions, we are a tool in the service of an ideal of bringing people together with the unifying power of sport, with the aim of promoting peace.
Barcelona lose Raphinha and goalie García to injuries for several weeks
BARCELONA: Barcelona will be without Raphinha and new goalkeeper Joan García for weeks due to injuries. García has started every game since transferring from Espanyol this summer but has hurt the meniscus in his left knee and will require arthroscopic surgery, the defending La Liga champion said on Friday. Barcelona expect García to be sidelined for four to six weeks. Spanish media reports said he was injured while training on Friday. Raphinha will be out for an estimated three weeks after hurting his right hamstring, according to the club. The Brazil forward, who was key to Barcelona winning the league and Copa del Rey last season, appeared to be hurt on Thursday in their 3-1 win at Oviedo. Barcelona visit Real Sociedad in La Liga on Sunday, three days before they host European champion Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League’s second matchday. They visit Real Madrid for the season’s first clasico on Oct.
LIV Golf confirms 2026 Hong Kong return, HSBC is title sponsor
HONG KONG: LIV Golf will return to Hong Kong in 2026, with HSBC announced as the event’s title sponsor.
Abu Dhabi set for second round of President’s Cup for Jiu-Jitsu
ABU DHABI: The second round of the President’s Cup for Jiu-Jitsu begins this Friday at Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, with representatives from the UAE’s top clubs and academies competing in the 18+ category.
Mbappe scores 2 as Real Madrid win on opening night of Champions League; Arsenal subs deliver
LONDON: Kylian Mbappe converted two penalties and 10-man Real Madrid came back to beat visiting Marseille 2-1 on Tuesday on the opening night of the Champions League.
Hernandez strike sees Al-Hilal complete comeback win over Al-Duhail
Al-Hilal came from behind to defeat Qatar’s Al-Duhail 2-1 in their opening match of the AFC Champions League Elite group stage on Tuesday. Second-half strikes from summer signings Darwin Nunez and Theo Hernandez won the clash for the Riyadh club.