Young Saudis take gold at kung fu championship

RIYADH: Two young Saudi competitors won gold medals in the Central Region Wushu Kung Fu Championship, which ended on Saturday.

Saud bin Faisal Al-Aqeel took the top spot in the under-50 kg category for 11- to 13-year-olds, while Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Aqeel came out on top in the under-38 kg category for the same age group.

The championship, which saw 120 male and female competitors, was held as part of the ongoing efforts to develop the sport of kung fu within the Kingdom.

Doha: Al Duhail secured a commanding place in the semi-finals of the Amir Cup 2026, the tournament's 54th edition, after a resounding 4-0 victory over Al Arabi in their quarter-final clash on Friday at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. michezonews.co.za

The emphatic win sees Al Duhail advance to the next round, where they will face the winner of the upcoming tie between Al Sadd and Al Shamal, scheduled later today at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek led the scoring charge with a first-half brace, finding the net in the 8th and 18th minutes. French midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud added a third in the 51st minute, before Tahseen Mohammed sealed the victory with a late goal in the 89th minute.

Al Duhail asserted their intent from the outset, pressing forward in search of an early breakthrough. Their efforts paid off when Sultan Al Brake delivered a precise pass to Piatek, who drove into the box and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to open the scoring.

Maintaining their attacking momentum, Al Duhail doubled their lead shortly after. Edmilson Junior surged into the penalty area and delivered a cross that Piatek met with a clinical header, leaving the Al Arabi defense with no chance.

The dominance continued after the break, with Al Duhail extending their advantage in the 51st minute. Almoez Ali weaved past multiple defenders before setting up Bourigeaud, who calmly finished to make it 3-0.

Relentless pressure from Al Duhail culminated in a fourth goal late in the match. Tahseen Mohammed won possession in midfield, embarked on an impressive solo run past several players, and fired home to cap a comprehensive performance and confirm his side's progression.

Al Duhail's convincing display underlines their status as strong contenders for the title as they move one step closer to Amir Cup glory.

Doha, Qatar: President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, attended the closing day of the boys’ competitions at the 19th edition of the Schools Olympic Program, held today at Aspire Dome.

The closing day was also attended by Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, President of the UAE School and University Sports Federation; Sheikh Dr. Saqer bin Salman Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain School and Collegiate Athletic Association; Hamad Abdullah Al Hamad, President of the Kuwait School Sports & Higher Education Federation; and Hasnae El Ayoubi, Executive Director of the International School Sport Federation.

From the Qatari side, the event was attended by HE Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; HE Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee; Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al-Buenain, Chief Executive Officer of the Doha 2030 Asian Games Organizing Committee and the Director General of the Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027; Abdulla Al Nuaimi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Aspire Zone Foundation and Abdulrahman Al Muftah, Executive Director of the School Olympic Program, along with a number of presidents of national sports federations.

This year’s edition witnessed wide participation, with approximately 25,000 students from public and private schools competing across 21 sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, swimming, padel, fencing, table tennis, athletics, wrestling, taekwondo, shooting, karate, judo, boccia, chess, cricket, weightlifting, esports, rowing and the Mini Basketball World Cup.

The Schools Olympic Program was established in response to an initiative by the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with the Qatar Olympic Committee organizing the program in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Qatar School Sport Federation, and the Qatar Paralympic Committee.

The Schools Olympic Program was first launched in the 2007–2008 season as a national initiative under the slogan “Sport and Health,” forming part of the legacy of the Doha 2006 Asian Games. The program aims to promote sports culture in schools, identify and develop young talent, and encourage healthy lifestyles among students.