Saudi sports push targets NFL with flag football series featuring Tom Brady The Public Investment Fund is not yet investing in the National Football League amid restrictions on state entities, but is eyeing flag football as the sport grows in the region. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia launches 24-hour women’s sports channel: What to know The launch coincides with the start of the Saudi Women’s Premier League season, which will see the soccer competition broadcast nationally and globally for the first time. Saudi Arabia
World's largest illegal sports streaming site shut down after Egypt arrests Streameast, believed to be the world’s largest illegal sports streaming network, was taken down in August during a sting operation conducted by Egyptian authorities in collaboration with a US anti-piracy group. Egypt
Dubai Police to host expanded esports event amid UAE gaming push: What to know The UAE wants to grow its esports sector as part of its economic diversification plans, mirroring a similar endeavor in neighboring Saudi Arabia. United Arab Emirates
Dubai to host region's first snow volleyball tournament With the four-day tournament, Dubai is hoping to bolster its reputation as a destination for snow sports enthusiasts. United Arab Emirates
Iran strikes gold at Paralympics Iranian athletes are currently atop the Middle East in medals won at the international sporting competition for disabled athletes, and one could soon make history in women's archery. Iran
First Arab-Israeli athlete to win gold medal in Paralympic Games The recognition and congratulations by Israeli Jewish politicians over the achievement of swimmer Iyad Shalabi reflect societal changes that were long overdue. Israel
Disabled Gazans compete in basketball tournament Disabled Gazan basketball players are competing in a fifth annual tournament put on by the Palestinian Paralympic Committee and other organizations. Culture
Displaced Syrian children take part in alternative Olympics camp A local rights organization in northern Syria held an Olympics competition for children living in the displaced camps across the area, in conjunction with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Syria
Egypt’s sports authorities under fire over Tokyo games Although Egypt received six medals in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for the first time in years, sports authorities in the country were criticized due to players’ complaints about inappropriate training. Egypt
Turks rally around Olympic volleyball star attacked over sexuality When a member of Turkey's Olympic volleyball team faced online abuse after posting intimate photos of herself with a woman on Instagram, Turks of all stripes spoke up in her defense. Turkey
Despite loss, Israel’s Olympic baseball team wins big in Tokyo The Israeli baseball team brought home no medals, but still made history by qualifying for the Olympic games and gaining visibility. Israel
Qatari, Italian athletes praised for sharing gold medal at Olympics Entities in both Qatar and Italy praised high jumpers Mutaz Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi for opting to share an Olympic gold medal, though one commentator said such a deal was unbecoming of elite athletes. News Brief
Saudi judoka earns praise for facing Israeli opponent at Tokyo Olympics Tahani Alqahtani is the first Saudi woman to compete in judo at the Olympics, bucking the trend of Middle Eastern and North African athletes refusing to face Israelis at the games. News Brief
Controversial cleric’s ‘modesty call’ to Turkish volleyball team bounces back at him Following a victory by the Turkish women's volleyball team over China at the Tokyo Olympics, the all-too-familiar debate on women’s decency and clothes raised its head when a cleric urged the players to observe modesty in dress and behavior. Turkey
Sudanese judoka refuses to face Israeli opponent Some athletes in the Middle East and North Africa face domestic pressures to refuse to face Israelis in competition. News Brief
