USA Basketball names Heat’s Spoelstra as coach through 2028
MIAMI: Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra was named head coach of the US men’s team through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on Tuesday by USA Basketball.
NBA Sport News
Goal-shy Salah seeks change as Egypt eye World Cup place
JOHANNESBURG: Mohamed Salah wants to put a disappointing start to his season with Liverpool behind him on Wednesday and help Egypt beat Djibouti and qualify for the 2026 World Cup. A win for the record seven-time African champions over one of the lowest ranked teams in the continent will give them an unassailable lead over second-placed Burkina Faso in Group A with one match to spare. A two-time African Footballer of the Year, Salah has lost his spark with the Premier League champions, scoring just three goals in nine appearances in all competitions this season. Last season, the 33-year-old netted 29 times in 38 league matches to win the Golden Boot award as Liverpool surged to a record-equalling 20th Premier League title. Salah has fond memories of playing against Djibouti, scoring four goals in a 6-0 Cairo romp in the opening round of World Cup qualifying two years ago. It does not help Djibouti that they do not have a FIFA-approved stadium, so their ‘home’ match against Egypt will be staged in the Moroccan commercial capital Casablanca. Three subsequent goals took Salah to seven in the qualifying campaign, one less than chart-topper Denis Bouanga of Gabon with two rounds remaining. Fellow Egypt forward Mostafa Mohamed, who plays for French Ligue 1 outfit Nantes, is not concerned about Salah, telling reporters the lack of goals is “a temporary setback.” “Mo is a big star, and we are lucky to have him in our team. He is the best player in the history of Egypt,” he told the FIFA website. “He is amazing.
UEFA ‘reluctantly’ approves European league games in US, Australia
LAUSANNE: European football governing body UEFA on Monday said it had “reluctantly” approved the staging of a Spanish La Liga and an Italian Serie A match in the US and Australia respectively despite fan protests.
Zverev dumped out of Shanghai Masters by France’s Rinderknech
SHANGHAI: World No. 3 Alexander Zverev was knocked out of the Shanghai Masters by France’s Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Monday, leaving Novak Djokovic as the tournament’s top-ranked player.
FIA President Ben Sulayem to champion safety, sustainability and innovation at Asai Pacific Congress
DUBAI: Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, will open the FIA Asia Pacific Congress in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Wednesday by spotlighting the region’s growing impact on motor sport and mobility.
‘Couldn’t have asked for a better environment,’ says New York Knicks coach after back-to-back wins at Abu Dhabi Games 2025
ABU DHABI: The New York Knicks’ coach Mike Brown said his team had “a great trip” after they wrapped up the second of two preseason matchups at the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 with a 113–104 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.
Fitness leaders reveal the future of Saudi Arabia’s wellness economy at FIBO Arabia
RIYADH: Leading voices from the Kingdom’s health and fitness industry took part in a high-impact panel discussion at FIBO Arabia on Thursday titled “Unlocking the Growth of the Fitness and Wellness Economy in the Kingdom.”
International cricket strives to leave Asia Cup 2025 behind
LONDON: Last week’s column suggested that Pakistan were the favorites to beat Bangladesh for a place in the Asia Cup 2025 final. It also suggested that the contest would be close. Prior to the match I asked a respected match commentator for his prediction. His view was that Pakistan ought to win but this “depended on how they turned up on the day.” Pakistan have a reputation for mercurial performances. The match that unfolded was gripping and flawed. The body language and mannerisms of the players conveyed the tensions involved.