On a day filled with competition and excitement, the camel “Hasri,” owned by Saudi Arabian Battan bin Masoud Al-Marri, stole the show and won one of the most prestigious cups of the season: the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival Cup in its third edition, in the Thanaia (male camels - general) category. “Hasri” recorded a time of 12:45.104 minutes in the fourth heat of the eighth day of the festival, confirming her worthiness of this prestigious title.

Background and importance of the camel festival

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival, held at the historic Janadriyah Camel Racing Track in Riyadh, is one of the most important heritage and sporting events in the region. This event reflects the great attention given by the Saudi leadership, represented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, to the camel racing sector as an authentic cultural heritage and an integral part of the national identity. The festival aims to develop this time-honored sport in accordance with an ambitious vision aligned with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance the cultural, tourism, and economic sectors. With prizes exceeding 75 million riyals, the festival attracts elite camel owners and riders from across the Kingdom and the Gulf region, generating significant economic and tourism activity.

Competition details and crowning of champions

The “Thanaya” camel races saw the winners crowned by His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Camel Racing Federation. The dominance wasn't limited to Saudi camels, as Emirati camels also made a strong showing. “Al-Wasmiya,” owned by the UAE Presidential Camel Racing Team, won the first race (open category for female camels), while “Malih,” owned by the same owner, won the second race (open category for male camels). “Al-Sulay’iyah,” owned by Emirati Maneh Ali Al Shamsi, won the third race (general category for female camels). This Gulf competition reflects the high level of the festival and its regional importance.

Historic female participation enhances the legacy

The festival's activities weren't limited to traditional races; it also featured a significant addition: a camel race with a human rider, boasting notable female participation. This participation, which included female camel riders from seven countries, including Denmark for the first time, is a significant step towards enhancing the role of women in traditional sports. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia led the way with the largest number of participants, boasting 19 female camel riders, reflecting the efforts of the Saudi Camel Racing Federation in promoting this culture and providing a supportive environment and a comprehensive system that includes training and professional camps.

The joy of victory and dedicating the achievement

Owner Battan Masoud Al-Marri expressed his overwhelming joy at this achievement, emphasizing that winning a cup bearing the name of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is a true honor. He explained that this success is the result of meticulous planning and tireless work in preparing the camel, "Hasri," for this prestigious event. Al-Marri dedicated the victory to everyone who supported and assisted him, considering this triumph a source of joy for all Saudis who were eager to keep the coveted cup in the Kingdom, a goal achieved thanks to God and the ongoing support the camel racing sector receives.

Fulham Football Club have officially announced the signing of young Norwegian winger Oscar Popp from Premier League champions Manchester City. The transfer fee is reported to be £27 million (approximately $37 million), reflecting the London club's ambitions to bolster their attacking options. The 22-year-old has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract, becoming part of Portuguese manager Marco Silva's project at Craven Cottage.

Background to the deal and Fulham's ambitions

This signing comes as part of a clear strategy by Fulham, who are aiming to establish themselves as a top-half contender in the Premier League. Since their return to the top flight, the team has impressed under Silva's leadership, demonstrating their ability to compete with the established giants. Acquiring a player of Pope's quality and potential represents a significant investment for the future, adding depth and new tactical options to the attacking line, and increasing competition for starting positions, thus raising the overall level of the team and their aspirations for European qualification.

Manchester City Academy model success

On the other hand, this deal is further proof of the success of Manchester City's academy, which has become one of the leading talent factories in Europe. With a constellation of world-class stars in Pep Guardiola's first team, it becomes difficult for young talents to secure regular playing time. Therefore, the club follows a successful economic model based on developing these players and then selling them to other clubs for substantial sums, often retaining clauses that guarantee future financial benefit. This was exemplified by City receiving 20% ​​of any future transfer fee for Pope, according to press reports.

Player statements and motivations for selection

Oscar Pope expressed his delight at joining his new team, confirming that his decision was easy after discussions with the club's management and the coach. Fulham TV quoted the player as saying, "It's great to be here. The meeting with everyone was fantastic, and I'm very excited." He added, "I always knew Fulham was a good club with good players and a great stadium." Pope also revealed that he consulted with his compatriot and fellow Norwegian international, Sander Berge, before making his decision, saying, "I spoke to Sander, who is a close friend, and I spoke to the coach, who explained the team's system, the players' characteristics, and the club's situation. Silva seemed like a very nice person, so the decision was easy.".

Expected impact of the deal

This deal is expected to have a positive impact on all parties. For Pope, it's the perfect opportunity to prove himself and secure regular playing time in the world's strongest league, which will accelerate his development as an international player. Fulham, meanwhile, have acquired a promising talent capable of making a difference in the final third of the pitch. With this move, Pope closes an important chapter in his career with the European champions and begins a new one filled with challenges and ambitions in London.

Reliable press reports indicate that Brazilian star Malcom Filipe Silva de Oliveira, a player for Saudi club Al-Hilal, is strongly inclined to renew his contract with the club, expressing his clear desire to remain with the team and not leave Saudi Arabia in the near future. Reliable journalist Bruno Andrade, a transfer market specialist, confirmed that Malcom prioritizes staying with Al-Hilal and extending his contract, which is nearing its end, thus putting an end to speculation about his future.

Background of Malcolm's joining and his immediate impact

Malcom joined Al-Hilal in the summer of 2013 from Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg in a high-profile transfer that was part of a historic wave of transfers in the Saudi Professional League, attracting some of the biggest names in international football. The former Barcelona player quickly proved his worth, becoming an indispensable part of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus's squad. Thanks to his exceptional individual skills and his ability to both score and create goals, Malcom played a key role in Al-Hilal's outstanding season, which saw them achieve record-breaking numbers and win numerous domestic titles.

The importance of renewal for Al-Hilal club and the future of the league

Malcolm's desire to renew his contract reflects the stability and attractive professional environment that Al-Hilal provides its players, as the player himself has expressed his deep satisfaction within the club. From a strategic perspective, retaining a player of Malcolm's caliber is a crucial step for Al-Hilal's management. It not only ensures the continuity of the team's attacking prowess but also reinforces the club's ambitious project to compete strongly both domestically and continentally, especially in the AFC Champions League. More broadly, the continued presence of international stars like Malcolm in the Saudi League is a testament to the success of the Kingdom's vision to transform the league into a sustainable football destination, rather than merely a stepping stone for players.

Expected developments and a bright future

The coming days are expected to witness formal negotiations between Al-Hilal's management and the player's representatives to finalize all details of the new contract, including its duration and financial terms. This renewal, if completed, would send a strong message to rivals that Al-Hilal is determined to maintain the core of its squad that has led to historic achievements and to strengthen its ranks to pursue further championships. Malcom's continued presence at Al-Hilal would not only delight the club's fans but also enhance the value and strength of the Saudi league's brand globally.