In a new achievement added to the record of Saudi women's sports, the Al-Noor Sports Club women's team secured third place in the overall standings of the Kingdom's Indoor Archery Championship, hosted by Riyadh at the King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences from January 10th to 15th. This distinction was achieved amidst fierce competition that saw the participation of more than 25 clubs from across the Kingdom.

The championship witnessed a remarkable turnout with over 500 athletes participating, including more than 200 female competitors, reflecting the rapid growth of archery in the Kingdom. Al-Noor Club's participation was limited to its women's team, which proved its mettle and ability to compete with the strongest teams.

Supporting Vision 2030 for Women's Sports

This achievement comes at a time when women's sports in Saudi Arabia are experiencing a qualitative leap, driven by the goals of Vision 2030, which places great emphasis on empowering women in all fields, including the sports sector. The increasing support from the Ministry of Sports and sports federations, such as the Saudi Archery Federation, has broadened the base of female participation and created a healthy competitive environment that contributes to honing talent and raising performance levels. This championship is a prime example of the fruits of this support.

A platform for discovering talent

The Kingdom's Indoor Championship is a vital platform for discovering and developing promising talents to represent national teams in regional and international competitions. The strong competition among participating clubs reflects the remarkable progress in the sport's level locally and provides players with a valuable opportunity to gain experience and exposure, a crucial step in their athletic careers towards achieving greater success at the continental and global levels.

Honorable results for Al-Noor players

Al-Noor Club's players in the under-18 (U18) category stood out by winning several medals of various colors, and their results were as follows:

• Maryam Al Darwish: Silver medal in Olympic archery – U18.
• Noor Hassan Al-Khairi: Bronze medal in Olympic archery – U18.
• Fatima Jamal Al-Bahrani: Silver medal in Olympic archery – U18 (Blue Arrow category).
• Batoul Hani Al Rajab: Silver medal in compound bow – U18 (Blue Arrow category).
• Fatima Jalal Al-Dhamin: Bronze medal in compound bow - U18 (Blue Arrow category).

Al-Noor Club's third-place finish at the national level confirms the success of its strategy in building a strong women's team. These results are not merely about medals; they are a testament to the tireless work of the technical and administrative staff, and the players' determination to excel, placing them on the radar of national team officials for potential future representation of the Kingdom.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Competitions Department announced a significant change to the football season calendar, rescheduling the semi-final matches of the King's Cup for the 2025-2026 season. The two highly anticipated matches, Al-Kholoud vs. Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli vs. Al-Hilal, will now be played on the same night, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, corresponding to the 29th of Ramadan, 1447 AH, according to the Umm al-Qura calendar. Both matches will kick off simultaneously at 10:00 PM, promising an exciting and highly anticipated evening of football.

Background of the decision and its organizational context

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation clarified that this decision was not made arbitrarily, but rather after consultations with the four clubs that qualified for this advanced stage. The clubs' views were sought regarding the previously scheduled dates of March 16th and 17th, and based on these discussions, the new dates were agreed upon. This step comes within the framework of ongoing coordination with the Saudi Professional League and relevant authorities, with the aim of reviewing the congested sports season calendar and ensuring the best possible conditions for clubs to compete fairly, taking into account their various commitments and obligations.

The importance of the King's Cup tournament and its rich history

The King's Cup, known as the "most prestigious cup," is the oldest and most coveted tournament in Saudi football history, with its first edition held in 1957. The tournament holds immense symbolic and historical value for clubs and fans alike; winning it is not merely a sporting achievement, but a great honor and source of pride. It often represents an opportunity for established clubs to salvage their season or achieve a historic double, and it embodies the ultimate dream for newly promoted clubs like Al-Kholoud, who aspire to write a new chapter in their history.

The impact of anticipated confrontations, both locally and internationally

This season's semi-final matches are generating exceptional interest. The Al-Ahli vs. Al-Hilal match represents the "classic" of Saudi football, a clash between two giants with massive fan bases and a history steeped in rivalry and competition. The second match, between Al-Ittihad and Al-Kholoud, pits the oldest and most prestigious club in Saudi Arabia against the tournament's dark horse, which has eliminated some of the biggest clubs along the way, adding a dramatic dimension to the encounter. With the significant development of the Saudi league and the growing global media attention, these two matches are expected to garner widespread international viewership, especially given the presence of world-class stars in the competing clubs. This change in timing confirms the conclusion of an exciting sporting season that will officially end on May 21, 2026, after which the Saudi national team will begin its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Election of a new leadership for Asian sport

In a move aimed at restoring stability and unity to the Asian Olympic Movement, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar was elected unopposed as the new president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The announcement was made during the 46th OCA General Assembly held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with representatives from all 45 National Olympic Committees of Asia in attendance, and with the honorary participation of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Historical background and challenges of previous leadership

Sheikh Joaan's election follows a period of administrative instability within the council. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) refused to recognize the results of the July 2023 presidential election, which saw Kuwaiti Sheikh Talal Al-Fahad Al-Sabah declared the winner. The IOC cited controversial interference by the winner's brother, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who had headed the council for 30 years before stepping down in 2021 following a conviction in a forgery case in Switzerland. As a result, Raja Randhir Singh of India, the council's former secretary general, served as interim president before also resigning for health reasons, paving the way for new elections.

Who is Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad?

Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani (39 years old), the younger brother of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is a prominent figure in the local and international sports scene. He has served as President of the Qatar Olympic Committee since 2015, leading it to remarkable successes. He has also been the First Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) for Asia since 2022, giving him extensive experience in sports administration at the highest levels. He is known for his passion for equestrianism and falconry, two traditional sports deeply rooted in the region.

A vision for the future: “Together for Asia”

Under the slogan “Together for Asia,” Sheikh Joaan presented his vision for the future of the Council, emphasizing in his address to the General Assembly that the great diversity that characterizes the Asian continent is its fundamental source of strength. He called for working in a spirit of unity and solidarity to achieve a stronger and more successful Olympic Council of Asia. He also expressed his deep appreciation to the former interim president, Raja Randhir Singh, for his efforts in leading the Council during a challenging period.

The importance and expected impact of the election

The election of Sheikh Joaan carries significant weight on several levels. Regionally, it is expected to restore stability to the Olympic Council of Asia and usher in a new era of good governance and transparency. Domestically, this position reinforces Qatar's standing as a leading force in the world of sport, particularly following its successful hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and its preparations to host the 2030 Asian Games. Internationally, this move is seen as strengthening the relationship between the Olympic Movement in Asia and the International Olympic Committee, building bridges of trust and cooperation for the future.