Sports

Saudi Arabia nabs Rafa Nadal as its star tennis ambassador amid criticism

Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal has become an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation, leading to criticism from some fans and furthering the kingdom’s tennis ambitions.

Gulf

Key players want out of Saudi soccer league: reports

The Saudi Pro League landed several top stars last year with lucrative deals, but now some players may be looking to leave the kingdom.

Gulf

Tunisia's Ons Jabeur reps Saudi fitness brand Kayanee at Australian Open

Jabeur has expressed support for Saudi investment in tennis in the past as the kingdom seeks to boost its sports holdings.

Tunisia

How Turkey contained Super Cup crisis with Saudi Arabia

A soccer debacle in Riyadh last week over Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of secular Turkey, has become a public debate over the trajectory of secularism in Turkey.

Turkey

Saudi PIF invested $31.6B in 2023, record in global sovereign wealth funds

The PIF is estimated to have nearly $800 billion in assets and wants to become the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund by 2030.

Saudi Arabia

Breaking | Last Updated: December 30, 2023, 9:22 am

Turkey’s Super Cup in Saudi Arabia canceled over reported Ataturk row

The competing Turkish teams refused to take the pitch after Saudi authorities banned posters and banners of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of secularist modern Turkey.

Turkey

Analysis

2023 in review: The year Saudi Arabia became sports superpower

The kingdom has been laying the groundwork to become a sporting leader for decades, but this year marked a turning point as investment ramped up.

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Can 'night of shame' turn a page in Turkey's violent soccer culture?

The punch delivered by a former ally of Erdogan to an elite referee opens Pandora’s box on violence in sports, but despite condemnations, few expect lasting change.

Turkey

Turkey to resume soccer league games as battered referee leaves hospital

Turkey’s soccer federation announced it will resume games after suspending them over an attack on a referee.

Turkey

Qatar pulls out of Manchester United acquisition race

The Qatari royal and banker had bid 5 billion pounds ($6 billion) for the British soccer club but further talks last week have broken down, the BBC reported Sunday.

Qatar

Morocco to host 2030 World Cup as Saudi Arabia bids for 2034

The announcement follows historic performances by Morocco’s men's and women's squads at their most recent respective World Cups. Saudi Arabia had also sought to host the 2030 tournament following Qatar winning the rights to host in 2022.

North Africa

Saudi-Iran soccer match canceled over Qasem Soleimani statue row

Iran and Saudi Arabia resumed diplomatic relations in March. Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike in 2020, is a polarizing figure in the region.

Gulf