The city of Dammam will host the Kingdom's Weightlifting Championship for seniors from February 2nd to 7th, along with the preliminary championships for junior and youth categories. This championship marks the opening event of the 2026 weightlifting season in the Kingdom, featuring a large number of participants including 333 weightlifters representing 19 clubs from across the country, in a sporting gathering that reflects the rapid growth of the sport.

Background and development of weightlifting in the Kingdom

This championship comes as part of a comprehensive strategy led by the Saudi Weightlifting Federation, aimed at expanding the sport's base and increasing its popularity. These efforts align with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Quality of Life Program, both of which place great emphasis on strengthening the sports sector and encouraging community participation in various physical activities. Over the past years, Saudi weightlifting has witnessed remarkable development through the organization of regular local championships, the provision of advanced infrastructure, and the recruitment of highly qualified coaches, all of which have contributed to honing young talent and preparing champions capable of competing internationally.

The importance of the tournament and its future impact

The importance of the championship extends beyond simply competing for gold medals; it serves as a vital platform for discovering and developing promising talent. By including junior and youth categories, the Saudi Weightlifting Federation ensures a continuous flow of champions and the formation of a second tier of athletes for the national teams. These competitions provide an ideal opportunity for athletes to showcase their technical and physical abilities to national team committees, with the aim of joining the Saudi national team and representing the Kingdom in upcoming regional and international events, such as the Asian Games, World Championships, and the Olympic Games.

Expected local and regional impact

At the local level, the tournament contributes to fostering a competitive spirit among clubs and revitalizing the sporting movement in the Eastern Province. The participation of 19 clubs from various regions reflects the game's broad geographical reach, a positive indicator of the federation's successful plans to promote the sport. Regionally, the success of such tournaments strengthens the Kingdom's position as a leading sporting hub in the region and underscores its ability to organize and host major sporting events, paving the way for even greater achievements befitting the name of Saudi Arabian sports.

Al-Hilal FC, one of the leading football clubs in Saudi Arabia and Asia, has officially announced the signing of Simon Bouabre from NEOM FC to bolster their squad during the current winter transfer window. This move comes after intensive negotiations in recent hours, during which all financial and contractual details were agreed upon between the two clubs and the player, thus concluding a significant deal in the Saudi transfer market.

According to informed sources, Neom FC agreed to release Bouabre after receiving the green light from French coach Christophe Galtier, who believed Al-Hilal's offer served the club's future interests. The player has already bid farewell to his Neom teammates in preparation for his new journey with Al-Hilal. This signing comes in response to the wishes of Al-Hilal's manager, Simone Inzaghi, who emphasized the need to strengthen this particular position to provide the team with additional strategic depth.

General context and importance of the deal

This deal comes amidst an exceptional season for the Roshan Professional League, which has become a global destination for top football stars. Al-Hilal, with its rich history of domestic and continental championships, is constantly striving to maintain its dominance and enhance its competitive edge. The addition of a player like Bouabre represents a significant boost to the squad, especially given the congested fixture schedule and competition on multiple fronts, including the Roshan League, the King's Cup, and the AFC Champions League.

Expected impact on both teams

For Al Hilal, Bouabre is expected to provide the team with more tactical options and increase competition among the players, which will ultimately benefit overall performance. As for NEOM FC, part of an ambitious and promising sports project, this deal could represent a strategic move financially, allowing them to reinvest the proceeds in developing other areas of the team and building a sustainable long-term project. The transfer of a player from NEOM to a club the size of Al Hilal also highlights the quality of talent that the club has begun to attract and develop.

Al-Hilal is currently preparing for an anticipated and tough match against Al-Ahli in the twentieth round of the Roshan Professional League, in a match that will be held at the “Kingdom Arena” stadium, where Al-Hilal fans hope that the new arrival will be ready to participate and provide the desired addition as soon as possible.

In a surprising move that has captured the attention of the sporting world, FC Barcelona officially announced an agreement with Al Ahly SC of Egypt to sign young player Hamza Abdelkareem. This deal represents an investment in the future for the Catalan club and reaffirms the strong reputation of the academies of major Egyptian clubs in producing talented players.

Deal details and official announcement

According to the statement published by FC Barcelona through its official accounts, the agreement stipulates that Hamza Abdelkarim will join its ranks on loan for two seasons, until June 30, 2026. The deal includes a clause that gives Barcelona the option to buy the player permanently at the end of the loan period, which allows the club to evaluate the player's performance and his adaptation to the European atmosphere before making a final decision about his future.

Background of the deal and its historical significance

This transfer comes within the framework of Barcelona's strategy focused on attracting promising young talents from around the world and developing them within its renowned La Masia academy or its reserve team. On the other hand, Al Ahly of Egypt is one of the biggest footballing institutions in Africa and the Middle East, boasting a rich history of producing high-caliber players. However, the direct transfer of a young player from its ranks to a club the size of Barcelona is considered a significant and unprecedented move, highlighting the quality of work done in Al Ahly's youth sectors.

Expected impact on Egyptian football

This deal is expected to have a significant positive impact on Egyptian football. It not only opens the door for Hamza Abdelkareem to pursue a distinguished professional career, but also serves as an inspiration to thousands of young players in Egypt who dream of playing in Europe's top leagues. Furthermore, the player's success with Barcelona could encourage major European clubs to pay closer attention to the Egyptian league, thus increasing its market value and boosting the chances of Egyptian players turning professional in the future.

Hamza Abdelkareem expressed his immense happiness at this historic opportunity, affirming in his initial statements that he will do his utmost to live up to the expectations of the Barcelona management and fans, and that this transfer represents a great dream come true for him. Now, all eyes are on the young player's career, hoping he will write a new chapter of success in the history of Egyptian professionals in Europe.