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Omani athlete Mubeen al Kindi secured gold in the hammer throw at the U-23 Arabian Athletics Championship creating not only a new Omani record but also the championship record by achieving a distance of 67.46m.
Speaking from Egypt to Muscat Daily, Kindi expressed his pride, stating, “I am delighted to have won gold in the hammer throwing competition and set both a new Omani record and a new championship record.”
This achievement is a testament to the tremendous efforts of the technical staff led by coach Saeed Al Harithy, who meticulously managed both technical and psychological preparations for each tournament, he added.
“I am grateful for the unwavering support provided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth throughout my journey. This participation marks the fourth Omani record achieved this year in the meet, fulfilling our ambitious goals.”
Reflecting on the tournament, he recounted, “I achieved this result after six throwing attempts: 67.46m in the first attempt, 66.71m in the second, 65.48m in the third, 65.63m in the fourth, 65.63m in the fifth, and finally 66.70m in the sixth and last attempt.”
Discussing his preparation for the championship, he said, “The preparation phase was extensive, focused on gradual improvement towards achieving a 67-meter mark. I had promising results during training camps, including in Egypt and the Egyptian Club Championship, where I reached 66.24m. Looking ahead, my goal is to hit cross the 68m mark next year as part of our planned progression. As I transition from junior to senior level in hammer throw with a 7.26kg weight, I am determined to achieve new milestones in my upcoming endeavors.”
Kindi expressed gratitude, saying, “I deeply appreciate the steadfast support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Omani Athletics Federation, and the Omani Olympic Committee.”
From the Omani delegation, Ali al Balushi won gold in 100m and 200m races, while Hussein al Farsi got bronze in 800m.
Ashraf Mahrous, known also as Kabonga, pulled a 279-ton train using only his teeth, while also observing the Ramadan fast.
An Egyptian wrestler has received recognition in three categories by Guinness World Records , including for breaking the world record for heaviest rail pull using only his teeth.
Ashraf Mahrous, known by his nickname Kabonga, also received certificates for the heaviest locomotive pull and fastest 100-metre road vehicle pull.
The successful world record attempts took place at Cairo’s Ramses train station on Wednesday and Thursday, where Kabonga pulled a 279-ton train using a rope held by his teeth. The wrestler pulled the train for a distance of close to 11 metres.
“On the first day, I was able to pull a two-ton cart, while fasting, for a distance of 107 meters in 37 seconds, breaking another record by pulling a one-ton cart for 100 meters and surpassing the 60-second barrier,” Kabonga told Anadolu, highlighting that he had been abstaining from eating and drinking due to the Ramadan fast, which lasts from pre-dawn to sunset.
“The next day, on Thursday afternoon, I pulled a train weighing 279 tons with my shoulders, while fasting, for a distance of 10 metres and 66 centimeters,” he added.
Kabonga, who is the president of the Egyptian Federation for Professional Wrestlers, previously pulled a 15,730-kilogram truck with his teeth in 2021. In February 2024, he cracked and ate 30 raw eggs in 30 seconds in a feat that was also recognised by Guinness World Records.
Dawlet Elnakeb, an organiser of Thursday’s event in Cairo, said Kabonga had trained for just 20 days prior to the record breaking event.
source/content: newarab.com (headline edited)
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Ashraf Mahrous, known as Kabonga, is president of the Egyptian Federation for Professional Wrestlers [Getty]
Moroccan boxer Widad Bertal was crowned world champion in the women’s bantamweight, showcasing the country’s surging talent in the combat sport.
Widad Bertal, one of Morocco’s rising boxing stars, is a world champion after winning the women’s bantamweight category at the 2025 IBA World Boxing Championships in Serbia. Meanwhile, the Palestinian squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to be held this month has been revealed through a touching video, showcasing life in the devastated Gaza Strip.
Also in Morocco, underdogs RS Berkane were crowned league champions after a near-undefeated run in the 2024/2025 soccer season.
Moroccan boxer Widad Bertal crowned world champion at Women’s World Boxing Championships
Moroccan boxer Widad Bertal has claimed the World Champion title in the 52-54 kg weight category at the Women’s World Boxing Championships, held in Nis, Serbia, from 9 to 16 March 2025, after defeating Turkish competitor Hatice Bektas.
Bertal’s victory cements her status as one of the sport’s rising stars. She previously secured gold medals at the African Championships in Yaoundé in 2023 and Kinshasa in 2024, establishing herself as a dominant force in the ring.
Her latest triumph represents a major achievement for Moroccan boxing on the global stage.
Morocco’s success in Serbia did not end there. Fellow Moroccan boxer Hasnae Larti added to the country’s medal haul by winning bronze in the 75-81 kg weight category, further highlighting Morocco’s growing strength in women’s boxing.
The achievements of Bertal and Larti reflect Morocco’s rising prominence in international boxing competitions . Their success has drawn praise from sports officials and fans alike, who see them as an inspiration for aspiring athletes across the country.
In recognition of her remarkable victory, King Mohammed VI sent a congratulatory message to Bertal, celebrating her world title triumph.
“We share with you, with great joy, feelings of pride in this well-deserved victory that crowned your perseverance and ambition to raise your country’s flag high on the podium and inscribe your name in the register of champions,” the King’s message read.
“We pray to God to grant you continued success and brilliance in your upcoming competitions.”
Palestinian World Cup qualifier squad revealed in touching Gaza video
The Palestinian Football Association unveiled their squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers via a video highlighting Israel’s devastating war on Gaza, and Palestinians’ love for the sport.
The players are revealed bit by bit in the 3-minute, 11-second clip showcasing life in the destroyed enclave.
The clip starts with a young boy by wearing a Palestinian football shirt playing on the seashores of Gaza. He then spots a portrait of Musab al-Battat, the team’s captain, among rubble.
The child then walks into the city’s ruins clutching the portrait, as we see Gaza’s population living in makeshift tents, queuing for water and selling what they can to make a living .
The boy then meets with a friend, who also reveals a portrait of another player. The two boys are joined by a third friend, who also pulls out a picture. The trio continue to be joined by more friends, as more Palestinian players are revealed.
Some of the players are revealed in during a segment where we see a young man selling snacks, other members of the Palestinian team are shown during a makeshift classroom as children attend a lessson amid war .
The clip also shows Gaza City’s emblematic Yarmouk Stadium. The venue is one of the oldest stadiums in Palestine, and was turned into a internment camp by Israeli forces during the early months of the war in Gaza. It has since become a place of refuge for the territory’s displaced Palestinians.
The video ends by showing children playing football in the stadium.
The Palestinian side will face Jordan in an away game on Thursday as part of the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers . They will also play against Iraq on 25 March at Amman’s International Stadium.
Among the players selected are forward Oday Dabbagh, midfielder Mahmoud Abu Warda and defenders Yaser Hamed and Mohamed Saleh.
RS Berkane make Moroccan football history after being crowned league champions
Moroccan football team RS Berkane made history in the country this week, winning their first-ever league title, locally known as Botola.
Their crowning came as they drew 1-1 in a home game against Rabat side Union de Touarga on Saturday.
The team, located in northeastern Morocco, have had their strongest-ever runs in the Moroccan championship, having only lost one game so far, winning 18 and drawing six – putting them in a comfortable lead against competition favourites Wydad Casablanca and Rabat-based AS FAR.
The squad sits comfortably at the top of the Botola table, having gathered 60 points, while second-place AS FAR trail behind with 45 points.
Their coach, Tunisian Mouine Chaabani, has been instrumental to their success, having joined in February of last year following his success with Tunisian club Espérance Sportive de Tunis.
Chaabani’s coaching skills propelled the team from their sixth-position finish two seasons ago to third last year, before winning the title this season.
RS Berkane’s winning ways have also secured them a place in the CAF African Champions League for the first time ever.
Their win has made headlines across Morocco, with celebrations held in the city of Berkane among fans and locals.
The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) also extended their congratulations to the club.
Bahrain’s national football team won the 26th Gulf Cup, “Khaleeji Zain 26”, defeating Oman 2-1 in the final held at Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait.
This marks Bahrain’s second Gulf Cup title, showcasing a determined and inspiring performance throughout the tournament.
The victory came in an excitement-filled atmosphere reflecting the camaraderie of Gulf nations.
It highlighted Bahrain’s dominance in the pitch, with the team controlling the game to secure a well deserved win.
This edition of the Gulf Cup, hosted by Kuwait, was commended for its exceptional organisation, setting a benchmark for regional sports events.
The Ministry of Culture unveiled the largest painting on canvas in the world by the artist Emad Al Salehi, at Qatar University yesterday.
The 9,652 sq metre artwork, equivalent to the size of a football field, is titled The Story of a Ball and was adjudged as the largest art canvas by the Guinness Book of Records officials.
The 9,652 sq metre artwork, equivalent to the size of a football field, is titled The Story of a Ball and was adjudged as the largest art canvas by the Guinness Book of Records officials.
The painting tells the history of the World Cup from its inception in 1930 until the World Cup 2022, which combines culture, history and sports and embodies the landmarks and icons of all the World Cup tournaments in Qatar.
The unveiling of the artwork comes at a time when the country is in the midst of the FIFA World Cup Qatar and as it readies to celebrate its National Day on December 18, 2022.
At the inaugural ceremony, a video was shown about the stages of completion of the huge artwork, after which the Guinness Book of Records certificate was handed over, marking its entry into the record book, in the presence of the Ministry of Culture officials and media.
Artist Emad Salehi receives Guinness World Record Award from the Minister of Culture, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al Thani during the inauguration Reuters/Hamad I Mohammed
Artist Emad Salehi receives Guinness World Record Award from the Minister of Culture, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al Thani during the inauguration Reuters/Hamad I Mohammed
Lebanese athlete Étienne Chaer has made headlines in the world of powerlifting after breaking the IPF Raw Deadlift world record by lifting an impressive 396 kg at the IPF Classic Powerlifting World Championships 2024 in Druskininkai, Lithuania, from June 15 to 23.
At the beginning of the 2024 season, Étienne el-Chaer, a prominent competitor in the junior category, became ineligible to compete in that division.
Undeterred, the young Lebanese athlete moved up to the 120 kg category. He showcased his determination and strength by setting a new IPF Raw Deadlift world record with an astounding 396 kg lift.
His journey during the competition had its challenges. Despite a solid start with a successful 370 kg lift in his initial attempt, he faced technical difficulties in his second attempt at 396 kg, resulting in a disallowed lift due to minor form adjustments post-lift.
However, he showed resilience and determination, regrouping swiftly and securing the record on his third attempt, completing the lift in under five minutes.
His performance highlighted his raw strength, technical skills, and competitive spirit among some of the sport’s top athletes.
Following his achievement, Étienne shared a video of the moment on Instagram, expressing satisfaction with his standing record.
The Algerian Olympic gymnastics champion, Kaylia Nemour, won the first place in the 41st prestigious “Arthur Gander” tournament, held on Wednesday in Chiasso, Switzerland.
After her triumph at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Kaylia Nemour repeated the feat with an exceptional performance, scoring a total of 41.350 points – an impressive score that demonstrates her level of preparation and talent.
She earned 14.900 points on the uneven bars, 13.750 points on the balance beam, and 12.700 points on the vault.
The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Local Organising Committee (LOC) has received several awards for a historic edition of the continental championship.
Both Qatar Tourism and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recognised the achievements made by Qatar in hosting the tournament earlier this year.
The LOC received two Qatar Tourism Awards for Premier Sports Events of the Year and Accessibility Initiative of the Year.
The awards were presented to the LOC by Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar Chairman Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona, and Regional Director (Middle East) Basma al-Mayman.
At the AFC Annual Awards, the Qatar Football Association (QFA) received the AFC Asian Cup Host Appreciation Award for the tremendous role they played in delivering a memorable tournament.
The Award was presented by Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifah, AFC President, to Jassim Rashid al-Buenain, QFA President.
The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 was hosted by Qatar in the beginning of 2024, having previously organised the competition twice before, in 1988 and 2011. The tournament, which saw Qatar defend its title on home soil, broke records for overall attendance, digital engagement and press coverage.
A total of 86,492 spectators made their way to the iconic Lusail Stadium for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 final.
With that, a record-breaking attendance of 1,509,496 fans was registered for the tournament, surpassing the previous attendance record of 1.04mn set during the 2004 edition hosted by China.
source/content: gulf-times.com (headline edited)
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The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Local Organising Committee received two Qatar Tourism Awards for Premier Sports Events of the Year and Accessibility Initiative of the Year. The awards were presented to the LOC by Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar Chairman Saad bin Ali al-Kharji.
Qatari Mountaineer Sheikha Asma bint Thani Al-Thani made history as she posed atop the Castensz Pyramid in Central Papua, two days back on October 11, 2024, becoming the first Arab woman and Qatari to complete the prestigious Explorer’s Grand Slam.
“The Explorers Grand Slam is one of the world’s most prestigious adventure challenges, involving climbing the highest peak on each continent and skiing to the North and South Poles. Fewer than 75 people in history have completed this incredible feat,” she wrote on her social media account, adding that she was honoured to be the first Arab woman and Qatari national to achieve this milestone.
Sheikha Asma began her Explorer’s Grand Slam journey with Kilimanjaro in 2014, after which she reached the North Pole in 2018, she then conquered the Aconcagua in 2019. In 2021, Sheikha Asma summitted Elbrus and then began the following year with Mount Vinson in January, from where she skied to the South Pole Last Degree. Then in May 2022, she was at the top of her dream destination – the mighty Everest. In June 2022, she conquered Mt Denali, then leaving her one summit away from the Grand Slam.
Writing about her journey so far, Sheikha Asma stated, “A journey that began in 2014 with a dream and a determination to break boundaries. Along the way, I’ve learned that persistence, no matter how challenging the road, always pays off. Each summit represents a step closer to realizing my potential, but more importantly, it’s a testament to staying true to your dreams, even when the path ahead seems impossible.”
Sheikha Asma has also successfully summited Mount Lhotse, Kangchenjunga, Mount Ama Dablam, Mount Dhaulagiri, Mount Manaslu, and Labuche Peak.
Sheikha Asma dedicated her most recent victory to every young girl with big dreams, as she encouraged them to keep dreaming big, “there are no limits to what we can achieve if we remain persistent and believe in ourselves. Keep climbing, keep dreaming, and know that the summit is always within reach.”
Lack of historical resources means that there is some debate over which club is officially the oldest in the nation.
Football is such an integral part of culture in the Kingdom that the history of the game in the country dates back to the era before the formation of the modern Saudi state.
However, a lack of historical resources means that there is some debate over which club is officially the oldest in the nation.
Al-Wehda in Makkah is one that claims to be the first. Though the club acknowledges it was officially registered in its current form in 1946, its official website quotes historian Mohammed Ghazali as saying it was originally founded under the name Al-Hizb in 1916.
Jeddah side Al-Ittihad believes it is the Kingdom’s oldest club, however, with an official founding date of Dec. 26, 1927, almost five years before the unification in September 1932 that created the modern Saudi state.
Al Ittihad. Photo: Arab News Archive / Al-Ittihad believes it is the Kingdom’s oldest club. (Photo: Arab News Archive)
Given such uncertainty about the exact origins of the game in the country, in 2023 the Saudi Arabian Football Federation launched the Saudi Football History Documentation Project.
Saudi historians and international experts nominated by FIFA are working to research and record a definitive, agreed-upon history of football in the Kingdom.
The committee announced on Sept. 16 the completion of the first phase of the project, finding that the national team played a total of 92 matches and the clubs played more than 7,000 matches between 1902 and 1982.
But much of Saudi Arabia’s footballing history is clear.
Al-Ahli club, for example, is another one of the Kingdom’s oldest clubs, having been founded in 1937. Other early organizations include Al-Ettifaq (1945), Al-Shabab (1947), Al-Riyadh (1953), Al-Nassr (1955), and Al-Hilal (1957).
The SAFF was established in 1956 as the governing body for the sport in the country. That same year, the Kingdom gained international football recognition when it joined FIFA, allowing local teams to participate in global competitions.
Al Ahli. Photo: Arab News Archive / Al-Ahli club is another one of the Kingdom’s oldest clubs, having been founded in 1937. (Photo: Arab News Archive)
In 1957, the Kingdom’s national team played its first competitive international match, a game against Lebanon in Beirut that ended in a 1-1 draw.
While there have been domestic national leagues in Saudi Arabia since the 1970s, the Saudi Pro League was not established in its current form until 2008.
In 1984, the Saudi national team won the AFC Asian Cup for the first time, with Majed Abdullah and Shaye Al-Nafisah claiming the goals in a 2-0 win over China in the final. The Kingdom retained the trophy four years later.
Saudi Arabia made their debut at the FIFA World Cup in 1994, which was held in the US, and reached the round of 16. Their success continued when they were once again crowned Asian Cup champions in 1996.
In more recent years, the Kingdom has continued to make strides in football, including the introduction of the first domestic women’s league in 2020, followed by the SAFF Women’s Cup in 2023.
Fuad Anwar is a former member of the Saudi national team who began his career in 1991 with Al-Shabab. He is perhaps best remembered for his performances during the 1994 World Cup, in which he scored two goals that helped the Saudis qualify for the knock-out stage. He also participated at the 2000 FIFA Club World Cup with Al-Nassr.
He told Arab News that three football clubs in particular shaped the football scene in the Kingdom.
Al Ittihad. Photo: Arab News Archive / Al-Ittihad believes it is the Kingdom’s oldest club. (Photo: Arab News Archive)
“There was a cultural shift in sports because of Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad and Al-Wehda,” Anwar said. “The world became more accepting of Saudi Arabia and the region to be a part of the football scene … football culture became relevant in every part of the country, from Riyadh and beyond.”
Anwar highlighted in particular the efforts of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal, and Prince Faisal bin Fahad to create a successful foundation for sports culture in the Kingdom.
Prince Khaled Al-Faisal played an instrumental role in the development of football in the region, having come up with the idea of launching a tournament for the Arabian Gulf in the late 1960s. Prince Abdullah, meanwhile, served as co-founder and chairperson of Al-Ahli, and Prince Faisal held a number of positions with domestic and regional sporting organizations.
Ahmed Eid Al-Harbi, a former Al-Ahli player who now chairs the SAFF’s board of directors, highlighted Prince Abdullah’s significant role in the development of Saudi football and sport in general.
He told Arab News the prince devoted much of his time to the development of youth to benefit the future of sport not only in the Kingdom but in the wider Gulf and Arab world, and on the continental and international stages.
“He didn’t merely adopt the club (Al-Ahli) for the sake of exercising a sport or achieving trophies, he spoke of the club as a university established to nurture and spotlight sports talents, giving them the attention and care they deserve,” said Anwar.
Nader Al-Sahleh, 61, a Saudi from the Eastern Province, told Arab News that he has witnessed the evolution of football in the Kingdom through the years, all the way back to the 1970s when, as a child, he played the game with neighbors and schoolmates in parks and fields.
“Those were beautiful, irreplaceable days filled with challenges, such as participating in neighborhood football leagues and Ramadan tournaments,” he said.
“These experiences impacted my life, introduced me to friends I still cherish today and created wonderful memories that I wish could return.”
Football in the Kingdom has evolve tremendously over the years, Al-Sahleh said, and “as a result, Saudi teams now compete to win, as seen in our victories in the Asian Cup and our dominance in Asian football.”
He added: “Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stated his ambition to make the Saudi League one of the top 10 leagues in the world, which is a testament to the development of Saudi football.
“Currently, Saudi Arabia is constructing massive stadiums to host the Asian Cup and even the FIFA World Cup. This is just a brief overview of the progress of Saudi football, and we are grateful to our government, led by the (king) and the crown prince, for their continued support. May our sports continue to advance and prosper.”
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Saudi historians and international experts nominated by FIFA are working to research and record a definitive, agreed-upon history of football in the Kingdom. Photo: Arab News Archive
