The finals of the “Kammelna” Baloot Championship, the highlight of the Khobar Season, will kick off next Thursday, January 22nd, and will be held over two days at the Science and Technology Center (SciTech). This championship, held under the auspices of the Ministry of Sports, boasts a substantial prize pool of 100,000 Saudi Riyals, reflecting the growing importance of entertainment and sporting events in the Kingdom.

Cultural and historical background of the game of Baloot

Baloot is more than just a card game in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region; it's an integral part of the social and cultural fabric. Families and friends gather around it for various occasions, and it's considered a way to strengthen social bonds and enjoy quality time together. With technological advancements, this popularity has moved into the digital world, where apps like "Kammelna Baloot" have allowed millions of players to pursue their passion and compete online.

Digital platform and mass eliminations

The tournament's first stage featured massive online qualifying rounds held via the "Kammelna Baloot" app, with nearly 100,000 players from across the Kingdom participating. This impressive number highlights the successful integration of traditional culture with modern technology and opens new horizons for esports, which enjoys significant support as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying entertainment options and developing the digital economy.

The importance of the event within the context of the Al-Khobar season and Vision 2030

This tournament is part of the “Al-Khobar Season,” which is itself part of the “Saudi Seasons” initiative aimed at boosting domestic tourism and providing world-class entertainment options for citizens and residents. Such events contribute to achieving the goals of Vision 2030 by improving quality of life, supporting the entertainment and sports sectors, and making the Kingdom’s cities vibrant and attractive destinations both locally and regionally.

Valuable prizes and tournament details

Valuable prizes have been allocated for the winners, with the first-place winner receiving 30,000 riyals, the second-place winner 25,000 riyals, and the third-place winner 20,000 riyals. Incentive prizes of 5,000 riyals each will be awarded to those placing fourth through eighth, encouraging participants to give their best in the finals held in Al-Khobar.

Statements from organizers and the role of social responsibility

In this context, Bader Al-Zamil, CEO of the “Kammelna” app, affirmed that organizing the tournament in Al-Khobar is part of the company's commitment to its social responsibility towards the residents of the Eastern Province and the Kingdom as a whole. He noted that registration was open to everyone, with Al-Khobar, the company's headquarters, chosen to host the finals. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Sports and its branch in the Eastern Province, as well as to Al-Khobar Season and all relevant parties, for providing all the necessary resources to ensure the tournament was held to the highest standards, befitting the development of entertainment events in the Kingdom.

The Saudi Arabian Jockey Club has announced an immediate and urgent investigation into the outcome of the eighth race of the 62nd meeting, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G3), a direct qualifier for the prestigious Saudi Cup. This official action follows a statement by His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz, one of the Kingdom's most prominent horse owners, who raised questions about the race's result.

Background of the event and its importance in the Saudi racing calendar

Horse racing boasts a rich history and deep roots in Saudi Arabian culture, forming an integral part of the national heritage. With the establishment of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (formerly known as the Riyadh Equestrian Club), the sport entered a new era of professional organization aligned with international standards. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup is a prestigious local classic race, and its significance has been amplified by its role as the gateway and primary qualifying event for the Saudi Cup, the world's richest horse race, which attracts the attention of the global equestrian community.

Details of the official statement and confirmation of the committees' neutrality

In its official statement, the club clarified that it is closely following the remarks made by Prince Faisal bin Khalid, and that His Royal Highness, Chairman of the Board of Directors, has immediately directed an investigation into all aspects of the result and the prompt submission of the findings. The club emphasized the leading position of Prince Faisal bin Khalid's "Red Stable," considering it a cornerstone of horse racing in the Kingdom, and expressed its deep appreciation for his contributions and ongoing support of the sport. Similarly, the statement commended "Al-Areen Stable," owned by Sheikh Hamoud Al-Malik Al-Sabah, for its significant contribution to the racing system. The club stressed that the decisions of the technical committees are entirely independent and subject to approved international regulations and standards, affirming their complete impartiality.

Expected impact and importance of transparency for international standing

This incident comes at a time when the Kingdom is striving to solidify its position as a leading global destination for horse racing. Handling such situations with transparency and responsibility enhances the credibility of Saudi racing on the international stage. Maintaining the integrity of results and the independence of technical decisions is the cornerstone of gaining the trust of international owners, trainers, and jockeys, as well as the public and bettors worldwide. The club, in accordance with its regulations issued by a Cabinet decision, affirms that it is the sole authority for all matters related to speed racing in the Kingdom, thus bearing the responsibility of ensuring the application of the highest standards of fairness and integrity to enhance the global reputation of Saudi equestrianism.

The seventeenth round of the Saudi Professional League concluded, witnessing continued excitement and competitiveness in the battles at the top and bottom, with Abha Club strengthening its position at the top, while the competition for the top scorer title intensified, in a season that promises many twists and turns until its end.

Abha stands alone at the top with both performance and result

Abha FC, the Yellow League leaders, continued their absolute dominance of the competition with a hard-fought and well-deserved 2-1 victory over Al-Raed. The win was hard-fought, as the team displayed remarkable resilience after one of their players was sent off, maintaining their lead and securing three valuable points that brought their total to 42. Abha's superiority isn't limited to points; it extends to statistics as well. The team boasts the strongest attack in the league, having scored 37 goals, and also possesses the strongest defense , having conceded only 14 goals so far, making them the leading candidate for a swift return to the Saudi Professional League.

The battle for second place and the relentless pursuit

In the race to catch the league leaders, Al-Diriyah held onto second place after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Al-Bukairiyah, reaching 36 and continuing to pressure Abha. Meanwhile, their closest rivals stumbled, with Al-Orouba held to a 2-2 draw by Al-Anwar, remaining in third place with 34 points. The match between Al-Ula and Al-Zulfi also ended in a goalless draw, leaving Al-Ula in fifth place with 31 points, behind Al-Bukairiyah in fourth, whose tally remains at 32 points.

Top scorer competition: Silla Sow continues to shine

On an individual level, the round was not without its share of goalscorers, as Abha's in-form striker, Silla Sow , continued his scoring spree, netting another goal to bring his tally to 17 in the top scorers' list. He is closely pursued by Al-Diriyah's French striker, Gaëtan Laborde , who sits in second place with 14 goals, followed by Al-Ula's Koloris with 13 goals, suggesting a fierce battle for the top scorer title right down to the final rounds.

Yellow League: The gateway to global glory

The Yellow League, officially known as the Saudi Professional League (SPL), represents the second tier of Saudi Arabian football. This tournament holds exceptional importance as it serves as the primary gateway to the Saudi Professional League (SPL), which has garnered international attention after attracting global stars. Competition in the Yellow League is no longer merely a sporting contest; it has become an economic and media battleground where clubs strive to secure a place among the elite, with its substantial financial rewards and greater fan appeal.

Expected impact and the struggle for survival

Promotion to the Roshan League not only means facing world-class players, but also represents a qualitative leap for clubs at all administrative and technical levels. At the other end of the table, the struggle for survival continues, with Al-Batin languishing at the bottom with only 4 points. They are the only team yet to secure a victory and are facing the very real threat of relegation. As the league approaches its decisive stages, the competition is expected to intensify in the coming rounds, both for promotion and to avoid relegation.