Futsal fans across the Eastern Province and the Kingdom are turning their attention to the indoor arena of Al-Qadisiyah Club, where the quarter-finals of the "Zoho" tournament, considered the highlight of Al-Qadisiyah's Ramadan season this year, are set to begin. This crucial stage is taking place amidst a highly competitive atmosphere and a remarkable turnout of fans who braved the weather conditions.

Crucial matches on the road to the title

This round features some high-caliber matches, including a mini-derby between Al-Qadisiyah (the host team) and Al-Qurayyan, a clash between ambition and experience. In an international encounter, Al-Thaqbah will face Morocco's Saqr Agadir, a match eagerly anticipated by fans given the high level of play both teams displayed in the preliminary rounds.

The journey to qualification and the brilliance of the stars

Prior to this stage, the group stage witnessed fierce competition, with the Ghadran Group confirming their dominance by topping Group C after a resounding 4-1 victory over Oman's Al Shaab. The match saw a remarkable performance from Soufiane Chaaraoui, who was awarded the Man of the Match, making him a strong contender to make a difference in the knockout rounds.

In the same context, the “Media Club” team secured its place among the top eight after defeating Al-Qaryan with a score of 2-1. Despite the loss, Al-Qaryan managed to qualify as the best third, which gives it another chance to compete for the title.

Regional and international dimension of the championship

This year's Al-Qadisiyah Ramadan tournament holds special significance that transcends local boundaries, as the participation of teams from outside the Kingdom, such as Morocco's Saqr Agadir and Oman's Al-Shaab, reflects the tournament's growing reputation. This diversity raises the level of competition and provides valuable experience for local players, further solidifying Al-Qadisiyah's position as a leading sporting and social institution in Al-Khobar and the Eastern Province.

Fans brave the Eastern Province rain

In a scene reflecting the Saudi public's passion for football, the heavy rains that fell on the Eastern Province did not deter fans from flocking to the club's headquarters. The excellent logistical and organizational arrangements facilitated the large turnout, with families and young people enjoying the accompanying activities in a distinctive Ramadan atmosphere, confirming the club's success in fulfilling its community role during the holy month.

In a dramatic football night that held the fans' breath, Barcelona bid farewell to the Spanish King's Cup competition from the semi-final round, despite achieving a resounding and well-deserved victory over their stubborn guest Atletico Madrid by three goals to nil in the second leg match that brought them together.

Details of the bitter farewell night

The Catalan club delivered a heroic performance at home in front of their fans, managing to find the net three times against Atlético Madrid in an attempt to overturn the heavy defeat suffered in the first leg. Despite their dominance on the pitch and the numerous chances they created, the final whistle signaled Barcelona's exit with their heads held high, as this resounding victory was not enough to completely overturn the deficit and secure a place in the final.

The specter of the first leg decides qualification

Barcelona's exit from the tournament comes as a heavy price to pay for the crushing defeat they suffered in the first leg, where Atlético Madrid capitalized on home advantage to demolish the Catalan giants 4-0. This result made Barcelona's task in the second leg virtually impossible, as they needed to score four goals to level the aggregate score or five to secure direct qualification. Consequently, Atlético Madrid's primary objective in the return leg was to maintain this significant lead.

Excitement until the very last minutes

Barcelona fought tooth and nail to achieve a historic comeback, adding to their impressive record of overcoming difficult results. They came close to realizing their dream of scoring a hat trick, but Atlético Madrid's solid defense and the passage of time prevented the Catalan team from scoring the fourth goal that would have forced the match into extra time. As a result, Atlético Madrid prevailed 4-3 on aggregate, thanks to their away goals advantage.

Impact of the result and the future of the tournament

Barcelona's elimination at this stage is a significant blow to the team's ambitions of competing for all domestic titles this season, especially since the Copa del Rey is a cherished competition for the Blaugrana fans. Conversely, Atlético Madrid deserves credit for managing the tie on aggregate, securing their place in the final and taking a significant step towards lifting the trophy, thus reaffirming their status as one of the giants of Spanish football capable of eliminating the big teams in the decisive stages.

The Ministry of Sport, represented by the General Directorate of Youth Activities, concluded its “Youth Circles” program, which ran from February 24 to March 2, 2026, achieving remarkable success and widespread participation in the cities of Riyadh and Jeddah. The program witnessed significant engagement, with over 170 young men and women from academia and those interested in sports and youth affairs in attendance, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to developing young talent.

The program began its educational journey in Riyadh, starting at the Mahd Sports Academy, a national institution dedicated to discovering talent, where participants discussed the pivotal role of youth in developing the sports sector. The program didn't stop there, moving to Alfaisal University as its second stop, and then to Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, thus enriching the discussions with academic and cultural diversity and broadening participation to include various disciplines and intellectual perspectives.

In the second phase of the program, the momentum shifted to Jeddah, where Effat University hosted dialogue sessions attended by prominent academic and sports figures, before the program concluded at the University of Business and Technology. These sessions were distinguished by the presentation of creative ideas and innovative solutions to the challenges facing young people in the sports sector, underscoring the rising generation's awareness of the demands of the next stage.

This event is particularly significant as it aligns with the broader context of the major transformations underway in Saudi Arabia, where youth empowerment is a cornerstone of Vision 2030. Such programs aim not only for casual dialogue but also to cultivate a solid foundation of young leaders capable of assuming responsibility and participating in decision-making, especially given the rapid growth of the sports sector, which has become a vital economic and social driver.

The “Youth Circles” program is fundamentally based on creating a safe and interactive space for dialogue, enabling the exchange of ideas and experiences and fostering a culture of constructive discussion. The added value of this program lies in its ability to integrate academic perspectives with practical realities, bridging the gap between theoretical education and field experience, and empowering young people to contribute their visions in a way that enhances their role in positively influencing the sports community.

In conclusion, this program represents an extension of the Ministry of Sports' ongoing efforts to support high-quality youth initiatives and develop the intellectual and communication skills of young men and women. Through these events, the Ministry emphasizes the importance of establishing young people as active and genuine partners in the development of the sports and community sectors, ensuring sustainable development and achieving the ambitious goals of the national vision.