The excitement and competitiveness continued in the Asian Road Cycling Championship “Al-Qassim 2026,” as the fifth day witnessed a high level of tactical and physical battles on the course of Al-Ghadha Natural Park, one of the most prominent tourist and environmental landmarks in the Al-Qassim region. The day's races were distinguished by tight security and logistical organization, with the entire racecourse closed to ensure the highest safety standards for the competitors who took on the challenge amidst the golden sand dunes.

Results of the Men's Under 23 Individual General Race

In a fast and endurance 124.8-kilometer race, the cyclists displayed impressive skill. The Indonesian team dominated, with Muhammad Nur Hamat taking first place and the gold medal after completing the distance in 2:47:03. The final meters saw fierce competition, with Kazakhstan's Mansur Bisambay second and securing the silver medal just 13 seconds behind in 2:47:16. The bronze medal went to Indonesia, with Astan Malwana finishing third in 2:47:21.

Kazakhstani shines in junior women's race

In the women's individual road race, a 62.4-kilometer event, the Kazakh cycling school continued to demonstrate its continental dominance. Kazakhstan's Anil Tashbay secured the gold medal and first place with a time of 1:48:29, skillfully outperforming her competitors. Japan's Nanami Ishikawa second, earning the silver medal, while Uzbekistan's Gulhio Satarova the medal haul by taking third place and the bronze.

Nature of the route and importance of hosting

Choosing the Al-Ghadha Park route presents a unique challenge in Asian championships, combining the beauty of the desert landscape with the difficulty of the terrain, demanding high concentration and exceptional physical fitness from riders to navigate the winds and twists between the sand dunes and dunes. This geographical diversity adds an artistic dimension to the race, making it an important test of the abilities of Asia's future champions.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Qassim region, is hosting this major continental championship as part of its broader sporting development aimed at strengthening its position as a global destination for major sporting events. The successful organization of such championships reflects the Kingdom's advanced infrastructure and high organizational capabilities, and contributes to raising the level of competition for local athletes and promoting a cycling culture within the community, aligning with the ambitious sporting goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

In a strategic move aimed at strengthening administrative stability at the Catalan club, Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, ​​the leaders of the Spanish football league, has officially resigned from his position. This decision is a necessary procedural step to enable him to run for another presidential term in the elections scheduled for March 15, as announced by the club in an official statement on Monday.

Details of the transitional phase

According to the club's bylaws, Rafael Giusti, the current first vice-president, will assume the duties of acting president during the transitional period. Giusti's interim term will last until June 30, the date set for the official start of the term of the president who wins the upcoming election, thus ensuring the uninterrupted continuation of the club's administrative and sporting operations.

Laporta: A history of achievements and challenges

Joan Laporta (63 years old) is a pivotal figure in the modern history of Barcelona. He led the club during its first golden era between 2003 and 2010, a period that saw Barcelona dominate European and domestic football and achieve the historic sextuple. Laporta returned to lead the club again in 2021 at a time when it was facing a severe financial and administrative crisis, and in the years since, he has worked to implement economic measures to restore balance to the club's budget.

The electoral landscape and expected competition

Catalan media reports indicate that Laporta is entering the presidential race as the frontrunner, bolstered by the improved performance of the first team, which currently leads La Liga. However, the path will not be without competition, with Victor Font emerging as a strong potential rival. Font, who finished second in the 2021 election, presents himself as an alternative with a different economic and administrative vision for the club's future.

The importance of the elections for the future of Barcelona

These elections are of paramount importance not only locally but also globally, given Barcelona's status as one of the world's biggest clubs. The elections come at a sensitive time, coinciding with the redevelopment project at the Camp Nou and ongoing efforts to strengthen the squad to compete strongly in the Champions League. Laporta, through his renewed term, seeks to complete his sporting and economic project to ensure the club's sustainability for years to come.

Saudi Aramco officially launched its campaign in the Jeddah 2026 Championship, a prominent sporting event reflecting the giant company's commitment to supporting the sports sector in Saudi Arabia. This participation underscores Aramco's pivotal role not only as a global economic powerhouse but also as a strategic partner in achieving the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places great emphasis on quality of life and sporting excellence.

A long history of sports support

Aramco’s participation in the Jeddah 2026 tournament is not an isolated event, but rather an extension of its long history of investments and initiatives in sports. The company has consistently sponsored and supported major events, from its global partnership with FIFA to its sponsorship of Formula 1 races and international women’s golf tournaments. This long history underscores the importance of its presence at the Jeddah tournament, where it will share its organizational and administrative expertise to elevate the level of competition and draw global attention to Saudi Arabia’s capabilities in organizing major events.

Jeddah: The capital of sports and tourism

The selection of Jeddah to host this championship reinforces its position as a leading sports and tourism destination on the Red Sea coast. Jeddah boasts state-of-the-art sports infrastructure, including King Abdullah Sports City (The Shining Jewel) and the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, making it perfectly suited to host events of the scale of the Jeddah 2026 Championship. These events contribute to boosting tourism and the economy in the city, creating investment opportunities and new jobs for Saudi youth, which aligns with the region's development plans.

Strategic dimensions and impact of Vision 2030

This step falls under the umbrella of the Quality of Life Program, one of the most important programs of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a global sports destination and encourage the community to participate in sports. The involvement of major companies like Aramco in local and international tournaments held in the Kingdom sends a strong message to the international community about Saudi Arabia's commitment to developing its sports sector and diversifying its sources of income away from oil, through investment in soft power and entertainment.

Expected impact locally and regionally

Aramco's participation in the Jeddah 2026 Championship is expected to raise the level of competition and attract more sponsors and commercial partners to the event. This presence will also boost the morale of the participating athletes and place the championship on the map of important regional events. The successful organization and management of this participation will resonate widely within Gulf and Arab sporting circles, reaffirming the Kingdom's leading role in the region's sporting landscape.