arabnews.com - Tennis, the latest sport on the rise in Saudi Arabia

Tennis, the latest sport on the rise in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has become one of the fastest-growing countries in world of sports, emerging not only as an international sporting hub, but also a center of activities, events, and spectacles. From athletics, football, F1, boxing, basketball, and golf, many sports are driving unprecedented socio-economic transformation under Vision 2030. They are enriching lives, enhancing well-being, and presenting a whole new world of opportunity, paving the way for people to discover passions, pursue dreams, and realize potential. Tennis has been making its mark in the Saudi sports evolution, so much that its nationwide growth and popularity cannot be missed. As president of the Saudi Tennis Federation, Arij Almutabagani is one of the key figures leading the charge.

Brighton and West Ham seal spots in Europa League knockout round

LONDON: Brighton booked their place in the Europa League knockout stage with a 1-0 win at AEK Athens, while West Ham also advanced after a late Tomas Soucek goal against Backa Topola on Thursday. Roberto De Zerbi’s side are competing in Europe for the first time in their history and the Seagulls’ adventure will continue into the new year thanks to Joao Pedro’s winner in Greece. Brighton sit two points above Marseille at the top of Group B, with the French club able to regain pole position if they beat Ajax later on Thursday. Europa League group winners go through to the last 16 automatically, while the runners-up play in a two-legged knockout round play-off in February against a team who finish third in a Champions League group. Albion will vie for first place in the group when Marseille visit the Amex Stadium in the final round of fixtures in December. The Greeks laid seige to Brighton’s goal for a period in the first half, with Orbelin Pineda denied by keeper Bart Verbruggen. Steven Zuber became engaged in a virtually one-on-one battle with the Seagulls as the Swiss international’s effort was tipped over by Verbruggen. Zuber flashed a header wide from the resulting corner, then evaded Joel Veltman and unloaded a powerful shot that was deflected onto the post by Lewis Dunk before Mijat Gacinovic put the rebound wide. Gacinovic’s strike was well stopped by Verbruggen, whose heroics laid the foundation for Brighton to snatch the lead. Damian Szymanski fouled Joao Pedro and the Brazilian striker picked himself up to slot home the penalty in the 55th minute. That made the Brighton man the top scorer in the Europa League with five goals, three of those having been penalties against AEK Athens. AEK’s fate was sealed when

Medals galore on Day 7 of Saudi Games 2023

RIYADH: Princess Delayel bint Nahar Al-Saud hosted a medal ceremony for the winners of the swimming competitions at the 2023 Saudi Games on Wednesday. The princess, who is the Games’ deputy director, was joined at the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Olympic Complex by Patama Leeswadtrakul, who is a member of the International Olympic Committee, and Mona Shehab from the Saudi Swimming Federation. The star of the women’s events was Imane Elbarodi of Al-Fateh club, who won gold in both the 50-meter freestyle and 50-meter breaststroke events. Halaa Diab from Al-Ahli club and Kawtar Elbarodi, also from Al-Fateh, took silver and bronze, respectively, in both races. In the youth category, Nadine Abdallah of Al-Ahli took gold in the 50-meter freestyle race ahead of Mashael Alayed and Hana Shahhat. In the youths’ 50-meter breaststroke, Solaf Elkemary of Al-Shabab won gold, beating Maryam Ahmed of A-ACWA and Mashael Al-Ayed of Al-Ettifaq.