In a strategic move aimed at elevating Saudi sports on the international stage, the Saudi Fencing Federation, headed by Wasim Al Hassan , signed a partnership renewal agreement with the Italian Fencing Federation, headed by Paolo Azzi . This step reflects the depth of fruitful cooperation between the two federations and establishes a new phase of technical and competitive development, as well as the exchange of in-depth expertise, supporting the growth and prosperity of fencing for both parties.

Details of the agreement and areas of cooperation

The signed agreement encompassed a wide range of developmental aspects, most notably technical and advisory cooperation in technical, organizational, and competitive areas. The agreement also placed significant emphasis on human resources, providing Saudi coaches with the opportunity to participate in advanced coach training courses organized by the Italian Federation, thus ensuring the transfer of the latest global training methodologies to Saudi gyms.

On the players' side, the partnership includes supporting the participation of Saudi fencers in local tournaments within the Italian league, in accordance with established regulations. This represents a significant step forward, allowing Saudi fencers direct exposure to established fencing schools. Furthermore, bilateral matches, joint training camps, and intensive sports exchange programs will be organized between the two national teams.

The Italian School: A Golden History

The selection of the Italian Fencing Federation as a strategic partner is not arbitrary; Italy is historically one of the world's leading fencing powers. The Italian Federation boasts a rich history of Olympic and world medals, and the Italian school of fencing is characterized by a unique technical and tactical style that is taught in academies worldwide. Therefore, this collaboration opens up significant opportunities for Saudi fencing to benefit from a long-standing legacy and decades of accumulated experience, thus accelerating the development of the national teams.

Expected impact and future of Saudi fencing

This move is part of the broader sporting initiative underway in Saudi Arabia, aimed at developing Olympic champions capable of competing on the international stage. This ongoing interaction with Italy is expected to raise the international rankings of Saudi fencers and hone their skills through competition in a high-level professional environment. Furthermore, the presence of Saudi coaches within the Italian system will strengthen the sport's technical infrastructure locally, promising a bright future and a new generation of champions who will ascend to regional and international podiums.

Al-Ahli's first football team faces a new technical challenge when they meet Al-Najma in the 23rd round of the Roshan Professional League, in a match to be held at Al-Inma Stadium. This match comes amidst exceptional circumstances related to the team's roster and absences, which may affect the tactical options of German coach Matthias Jäsle.

List of absences and their reasons

Al-Ahli's lineup for this match will be missing key players, with Enzo Melot confirmed to be unavailable due to suspension for accumulated yellow cards. This presents the coaching staff with a challenge in finding a suitable replacement in midfield. Furthermore, the team will be without Turkish international defender Merih Demiral, who will not be fit enough to participate due to a lack of match fitness, necessitating heightened defensive vigilance from the team.

Yaisleh's tactical solutions

Given these significant defensive absences, coach Mathias Jäissle has decided to continue fielding young player Ryan Hamed alongside Brazilian defender Rogerio Ibañez in central defense. This decision aims to compensate for Demiral's absence, as Jäissle seeks to maintain the defensive cohesion that has begun to develop in recent matches, relying on Ryan Hamed's enthusiasm and Ibañez's experience to secure the back line against Al-Najma's attacks.

The context of the competition and the importance of points

This match is of paramount importance to Al-Ahli, who are looking to extend their winning streak and solidify their position in the Roshan Professional League standings. Three points are essential for Al-Ahli fans to ensure they remain in contention for continental qualification spots, especially given the fierce competition this season and the close points standings among the top clubs. Victory in matches like this is key to maintaining both technical and administrative stability within the club.

The morale boost from the last round

Al-Ahli enters the match with high morale after securing a valuable and well-deserved victory in the previous round against Al-Hazm, with a score of 2-0. This win not only earned the team three points but also restored confidence to the players and coaching staff, confirming the team's ability to overcome difficulties and absences – a scenario Al-Ahli fans hope will be repeated against Al-Najma to secure all three points.

The coaching staff of Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal club received a tremendous morale and tactical boost ahead of their highly anticipated clash against Qatar's Al-Sadd in the Gulf derby, a Round of 16 match in the AFC Champions League. All eyes will be on Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, the Qatari capital, which will host this crucial encounter, as Al-Hilal aims to continue its journey towards the continental title.

This significant boost comes in the form of French star Karim Benzema's full readiness to make his official debut for Al-Hilal in the Asian Champions League. This highly anticipated appearance follows a period of enforced absence from the team's group stage matches in the continental tournament, due to AFC regulations governing player transfers and participation. These regulations prohibit any player from representing two different clubs in the same stage (group stage) of the same competition, which led to Benzema's Asian debut being postponed until the knockout rounds.

Karim Benzema is enjoying a period of exceptional form with Al-Hilal, having played two domestic matches in which he strongly impressed the Blue Wave fans. This was particularly evident in the match against Al-Akhdoud in the Roshan Professional League, where the French star unleashed a hat-trick, contributing significantly to securing the points. His total goal contributions now stand at four (goals and assists) in just two matches, making him the coach's most valuable asset for the upcoming Doha match.

The Al-Hilal vs. Al-Sadd match holds immense strategic importance, not only because it pits two giants of West Asian football against each other, but also because it falls within the new format of the "Elite" tournament, which demands high concentration and fewer errors. Al-Hilal is counting on Benzema's extensive experience in European leagues and the Champions League to tip the scales in their favor in such crucial matches, where small details often dictate the outcome. Al-Hilal aims to overcome Al-Sadd and advance towards reclaiming the Asian title, capitalizing on the formidable strength Benzema's addition to the continental squad has brought to the team.

A large crowd is expected for the match, given the immense popularity of both teams in the Gulf region, where encounters between Saudi and Qatari clubs are always highly anticipated and fiercely contested. The presence of a star player like Karim Benzema in the starting lineup will undoubtedly add to the media and fan buzz surrounding this encounter, as everyone eagerly awaits the outcome, which will determine who advances to the quarterfinals.