Category: Games

Manama, His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Youth and Sport First Deputy Chairman, General Sports Authority Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President, patronised and attended the Egyptian Basketball Super Cup between champions and cup winners, Al-Ahly, and runners-up, Al-Zamalek, held today at the Khalifa Sports City Hall.

Sports leaders, diplomatic corps, the delegations of the two clubs and representatives of the Bahraini and Egyptian basketball associations attended the match which ended 64-60 in favour of Al-Ahly Club.

HH Shaikh Khalid expressed delight over the kingdom’s hosting of the Egyptian Basketball Super Cup for the first time, reflecting the solid fraternal relations between the two countries.

His Highness lauded the outstanding success of the event, citing the massive attendance of spectators and distinguished media coverage, thanks to the two clubs’ reputation and popularity in Egypt and the Arab world.

HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad stressed the importance of holding more joint sporting events to enhance rapprochement among the two countries’ youth, wishing both teams continued success.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

South Korea’s Mun Hye-gyeong struck gold in the women’s singles event in soft tennis at the Asian Games on Saturday, bringing the country its first soft tennis title in China.

Mun defeated Noa Takahashi of Japan 4-0 (4-2, 4-2, 4-0, 4-0) at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Tennis Centre in Hangzhou, Yonhap reported.

Before Mun’s breakthrough, South Korea previously won bronze medals in the men’s and women’s team events, mixed doubles and men’s singles.

In soft tennis, the first player to claim four games is the match winner, with each game requiring four points for a win.

Mun barely broke a sweat against Takahashi, needing just 13 minutes to win her required four games.

Mun had earlier won bronze medals in the women’s team and the mixed doubles events in Hangzhou. The 26-year-old is the first South Korean women’s singles champion in soft tennis since 2014.

Soft tennis joined the Asian Games in 1994, and Mun’s lone gold represents South Korea’s lowest gold medal total at a single Asiad.

Mun, who won two silver medals in 2018, said she felt the pressure of having to deliver South Korea its first soft tennis gold on the last day of competition.

“I am still a bit numb now,” Mun said. “Five years ago, I remember crying so much because I came so close to winning gold medals. I thought I’d cry some tears of joy if I ever win a gold medal here, but it hasn’t hit me yet.”

Takahashi came into the singles final looking for her third gold in Hangzhou, after winning the mixed doubles and the women’s titles. In 2018, Takahashi gobbled up gold medals in the women’s singles and the women’s team events.

As for her easier-than-expected win, Mun said, “She’s really good at serves and so I had to be sharp with my returns. And I could also see she was running on fumes.”

Mun, who comes from a soft tennis-playing family, said this was her final Asian Games match.

“I’ve been fortunate to have competed at two editions of the Asian Games, and I have no regrets,” she said. “I will now get ready for the world championships next year and finish my career on a strong note.”

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Kumluca Middle Bronze Age Shipwreck, believed to be one of the world’s oldest known shipwrecks, has been yielding significant finds for underwater archaeology.

A team of 40 experts, led by professor Hakan Oniz, is conducting underwater excavations off the Antalya coast of Trkiye. Using advanced technology and robots, they have recovered 30 copper ingots, amphoras and personal belongings of sailors from the ship.

Underwater archaeologists, equipped with air tubes, painstakingly retrieved artifacts from a shipwreck that sank 3,600 years ago at a depth of approximately 50 meters (164 feet).

Some items take a month to extract, utilizing small tools and vacuum devices.

The finds, particularly the copper ingots representing the currency of the time, highlight Turkey’s rich cultural heritage, including its role in early history, epic tales, maritime trade and shipbuilding.

‘This ship, which was probably loaded with copper from mines in Cyprus, sank during a storm on its way to the island of Crete,’ Oniz told Anadolu.

‘This happened approximately 3,550 to 3,600 years ago. In this context, the Kumluca Middle Bronze Age Shipwreck still holds the title of the world’s oldest trade shipwreck,” Oniz added.

All recovered items undergo a salt removal process at the Antalya Restoration and Conservation Regional Laboratory. The ongoing work in one of the world’s oldest shipwrecks, at great depths, underscores Trkiye’s prominence in the field of underwater archaeology.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the Iraqi government’s support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in its candidacy to organize the 2034 FIFA World Cup Finals.

The Foreign Ministry affirmed in a statement: “Exchanging Arab support in various fields will contribute to maximizing the collective effort, have fruitful and constructive repercussions that our Arab peoples aspire to, and place common interests in the context of the integration that all parties seek.”

Yesterday, Wednesday, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced its intention to bid to host the 2034 World Cup.

Crown Prince, Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman confirmed in an official statement reported by the Saudi Football Federation: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s desire to host the 2034 World Cup is a reflection of the comprehensive renaissance it has achieved at all levels, which has made it a leadership center and a International facade to host the largest and most important global events in various fields, with its economic potential and great civilizational and cultural heritage.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Youth and Sport First Deputy Chairman, General Sports Authority Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President, has lauded the outstanding results achieved by Bahraini athletes during the 19th Asian Games, held at Hangzhou, China, until October 8.

HH Shaikh Khalid praised the distinguished tally of the Bahrain national athletics team, who bagged 15 medals so far, including 9 gold, 1 silver and 5 bronze ones.

In a telephone call with the Bahrain national handball team, in the presence of BOC Secretary-General, Fares Mustafa Al Kooheji, HH Shaikh Khalid hailed the qualification of the Reds to the final after beating Japan, wishing the national squad every success in the final.

His Highness wished Bahraini teams continued success in the ongoing Asian Games so as to reflect the progress of Bahraini sport during His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s prosperous era.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Bahrain has topped Arab countries participating in the 19th Asian Games, held in the Eastern city of Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8, after clinching six medals, including three gold, one silver and two bronze ones.

The national handball team claimed a well-deserved 29-20 victory over Iran, which enabled them to book a spot in the semi-finals, while the basketball team achieved their first victory in the tournament, after beating their Thai counterparts 76-62.

Bahrain dominated the women’s 400-metre race, as Oluwakemi Adekoya won the gold medal after clocking 50.66 seconds, while Salwa Eid Naser bagged the silver medal after finishing the race in 50.92 seconds.

Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew also shined in the 19th Asian Games when he clinched the gold medal of the men’s 10,000-metre race, clocking 28:13.62 minutes, amid fierce competition from Indian and Japanese runners.

Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Hajer Al Khaldi clinched the third place in the women’s 100-metre race after clocking 11.35 seconds.

Ahmed Abbas also came third in the men’s 400-metre race, earning the second bronze medal for Bahrain.

Long-distance runner Violah Jepchumba picked up Bahrain’s first gold medal in the 19th Asian Games when she won the women’s 10,000 metres final on the first day of the athletics competitions of the 19th Asian Games yesterday.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Champions Manchester City slipped to a shock first Premier League defeat of the season at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, while Manchester United’s campaign of woe continued with a loss to Crystal Palace.

There were no such troubles for Arsenal who closed the gap to leaders City to one point with a rampant 4-0 win at Bournemouth and newly-promoted Luton Town earned their first success of the season at Everton.

United slumped to their fourth loss of the Premier League season as an early Joachim Andersen strike gave Palace a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.

Having tasted defeat in their previous home league match, against Brighton and Hove Albion, the below-par hosts again found themselves behind in the 25th minute when Andersen arrowed into the top corner.

With plenty of time to find a leveller on home turf, clear-cut chances remained few and far between in the Manchester rain, with Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone enjoying a quiet afternoon and boos ringing around the stadium upon the final whistle.

With nine points and a minus four goal difference, this is 10th-placed Manchester United’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season after seven games. The last time they suffered a worse start to a top-flight campaign was in 1989-90, in the old First Division.

United’s rivals City had been having no such bad luck this term and made the trip to Wolverhampton having won all six of their opening league games.

However, a Ruben Dias own goal put Wolves 1-0 up in the 13th minute, Pedro Neto’s cross deflected in off the Portuguese player’s knee, but Julian Alvarez levelled the score with a bending free kick past Jose Sa in the 58th.

Hwang Hee-chan restored the home side’s lead on the counter-attack and against the run of play in the 66th by firing into the net from close range after a Matheus Cunha pass found him unmarked, a strike which proved to be the winner.

Having been beaten at Newcastle United in midweek in the League Cup, City have lost back-to-back games in all competitions for the first time since January last season; they had lost only two of their 41 matches prior to this.

Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start to the season on the south coast as Kai Havertz opened his account for the London club and Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Ben White also scored.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who have yet to concede away from home this season, climbed to second with 17 points, one behind the champions.

Andoni Iraola’s winless Bournemouth side dropped into the relegation zone and are 18th with three points from seven games.

Luton have had to wait seven games to get their first Premier League victory that helped them move out of the bottom three.

Everton created 23 chances, but only five of them were on target, as Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski enjoyed his quietest game since his side were promoted back to the top flight.

Boos rang around the ground at the final whistle as Everton’s lack of scoring prowess allowed the visitors to hang on for a historic win that lifted them to 17th in the table on four points.

The success was Luton’s first away victory in the top tier in 30 such games since a 2-1 success at Aston Villa in March 1991.

Villa enjoyed a more successful afternoon on Saturday as an Ollie Watkins hat-trick inspired them to a 6-1 thrashing of Brighton and Hove Albion that moved them up to fourth in the standings, three points behind leaders City.

Newcastle United also continued their winning streak with a 2-0 victory over Burnley, while West Ham United beat Sheffield United 2-0 at London Stadium.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Jordan men’s national basketball team emerged victorious in their opening match of the 19th edition of the Asian Games against Thailand, with a resounding score of 97-63.

The intense game took place on Tuesday, marking the beginning of both teams’ journey in the prestigious tournament hosted by the city of Hangzhou, China.

With exceptional teamwork and skill, the Jordanian team dominated the court, demonstrating their prowess and determination. Their impressive performance secured a significant lead, leaving their Thai counterparts trailing behind.

Looking ahead, the Jordanian team is slated to face their counterparts from Bahrain in the second round of matches. The highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place at 6:00 AM on Thursday at the Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium in Hangzhou.

As Jordan’s national basketball team continues to showcase their talent and competitive spirit in the Asian Games, fans eagerly anticipate their upcoming matches, hoping for further triumphs on the international stage.

Source: Jordan News Agency

His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, has lauded the landmark achievement of Bahraini wrestler, Akhmed Tazhudinov, who bagged a gold medal and claimed the World Wrestling Championships in Serbia’s capital Belgrade in the men’s freestyle 97 kilograms, booking a spot at the Paris Olympic Games 2024.

HH Shaikh Nasser was speaking while receiving here world wrestling champion, Tazhudinov, in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Youth and Sport First Deputy Chairman, General Sports Authority Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President.

HH Shaikh Nasser congratulated Tazhudinov on his historic exploit, praising his distinguished performance, which enabled him to achieve impressive results with wins against notable names, and confirm his readiness for the Paris Olympiad.

His Highness also commended HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad’s efforts and support for various sports, including combat ones, which have made a quantum leap.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The BRAVE CF organisation, founded by His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, has become the leading international mixed martial arts organisation globally.

Its vision, supported by HH Shaikh Khalid, has helped Bahrain achieve global prominence in mixed martial arts, a significant achievement for the kingdom.

BRAVE CF is the largest sports brand established in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the largest Bahrain-promoting brand, and the kingdom’s largest international brand. It is also the largest media property in Bahrain and a key player in bilateral ties.

It has set records as the most-viewed sports brand in Bahrain on digital media.

The Bahraini organisation, BRAVE CF, is thriving under the vision of HH Shaikh Khalid, raising Bahrain’s flag globally and at the highest levels in combat sports, thanks to its recent partnership with the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, making it the only Bahraini organisation to do so.

Bahrain has gained recognition at both continental and international levels for its mixed martial arts, with President Mohammed Qambar being the first president of a specialised Asian federation, and one of Bahrain’s representatives at the Continental Federation in Sports.

The Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation (BMMAF) operations team has excelled in providing the highest level of organisation for international events and activities in the Kingdom, as it was called to work on two other continents, to provide its world-class expertise in Europe (Serbia) and South America (Colombia).

The Bahraini team has achieved a significant milestone in mixed martial arts, ranking first in amateur mixed martial arts. This achievement is unprecedented for the Bahraini team, following its success in winning over 100 medals at the International Federation of Mixed Martial Arts level, including numerous world championships.

Source: Bahrain News Agency