The Janadriyah Camel Racing Track in Riyadh witnessed the conclusion of the fifth edition of the "Hajjan League 2026" today, where His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Saud bin Abdullah Al Saud, a member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Camel Racing Federation, crowned the winning camel riders in this major heritage sporting event. The total value of the prizes allocated for the race exceeded one million Saudi riyals, amidst fierce competition with the participation of 41 male and female camel riders who demonstrated high levels of skill in handling and driving.

Round results and winner details

The final results of the race yielded impressive scores, with camel rider Suleiman bin Muawad Al-Juhani the title in the first heat, designated for the "Al-Hayl and Al-Thanaya Cup (Bakar)," riding the camel "Roma," thus confirming his prowess in this field. In the second heat, designated for the "Al-Zamoul and Al-Thanaya Cup (Qeedan)," camel rider Salem bin Ali Al-Qahtani to snatch the title and first place with the camel "Al-Joker."

In the context of promoting women's sports, the women's race witnessed strong competition that ended with camel rider Nour Al-Anzi the title of (Camel Rider Cup - Women) with the camel “Al-Rawda”, thus recording a new achievement added to the record of women's sports in the Kingdom.

Financial prizes and league stages

This edition was distinguished by its substantial cash prizes, designed to incentivize both participants and owners. The winners of the men's race and the final round each received 100,000 riyals, with the same amount going to the owners. Prizes were awarded to the top ten finishers as well: second place received 25,000 riyals, third place 10,000 riyals, and tenth place 3,000 riyals. Similar prize amounts were also allocated to the owners of each of these ten finishes. The same prize distribution mechanism was applied to the women's race, reflecting the significant support provided to this category.

The league had gone through three crucial stages, the first of which started on January 10 with two rounds for men, followed by the second stage on January 17, 2026, which resulted in 26 camel riders qualifying to participate in this grand final, which included a special round for women.

The importance of the event in the context of heritage and Vision 2030

The organization of the fifth edition of the Camel Racing League is an integral part of the Saudi Camel Racing Federation's strategy to preserve the cultural heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Camel racing is an intrinsic part of Arab identity and Saudi history, and the Janadriyah racecourse represents a historical symbol that combines the charm of the past with the progress of the present.

This championship, with its inclusion of women and valuable prizes, reflects the Kingdom's commitment to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to raise the quality of life and promote participation in sports and community activities. The event also highlights the Federation's efforts to support Saudi camel riders and develop this time-honored sport to international standards, while adhering to the highest organizational and quality standards, thus solidifying the Kingdom's position as a leading global destination for camel racing and authentic heritage.

On a football evening that was not without unpleasant surprises for the Emirati fans, Sharjah FC bid farewell to the AFC Champions League after suffering a bitter 1-2 defeat at home to Uzbek side Nasaf, in the eighth and final round of the West Zone league.

Details of the fall in the final meters

Al Sharqawi entered the match with one goal in mind: to secure all three points and revive their slim hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals, while also relying on favorable results from other matches. Nasaf, on the other hand, played without any mathematical pressure, having already been eliminated with only one point from seven games. Ironically, the visiting team displayed a more cohesive and determined performance, as if they were the ones vying for a qualifying spot, while the Emirati side delivered a lackluster display, lacking the necessary attacking effectiveness for such a crucial encounter.

The match began with a relatively energetic start from the home side, but Nasaf quickly showed their teeth with dangerous counter-attacks. In the 27th minute, the referee disallowed a goal for the Uzbek team due to a foul, but this warning failed to rouse Sharjah's defense. Bobur Abdukhalikov scored the opening goal for Nasaf with a well-placed header from a superb cross, putting Sharjah under immense pressure.

Al-Hosani's brilliance and attempts to return

Sharjah goalkeeper Adel Al Hosani a heroic role in keeping his team in the game during the first half, brilliantly saving a dangerous shot from Adinis Chala in the 33rd minute. He continued to defend his goal with crucial saves that prevented the score from worsening before the break. At the start of the second half, Sharjah's attacking performance improved, and they had several scoring opportunities, the most notable being a curling shot that went just wide of the post.

As the match drew to a close, the crowd breathed a sigh of relief after Sharjah were awarded a penalty, which professional player Caio Lucas successfully converted to equalize in the 80th minute. However, the joy was short-lived, as Nasaf dashed all hopes by scoring the decisive winning goal in the 87th minute through a rocket shot from Demir Abdunazarov that nestled into the top of the goal.

The tournament system and the future of the competition

With this result, Sharjah's points tally remained at 8, finishing in ninth place and outside the qualification spots, while Nasaf raised their points to 4, placing them eleventh and second to last. This match was part of the new format of the continental championship, where each team plays eight matches in the league stage, with the top eight clubs from each region (East and West) qualifying for the Round of 16.

The Round of 16 matches are scheduled to take place during March 2026, while Saudi Arabia will witness a major sporting event by hosting the final rounds (quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final) in a group format during next April, which is the event that Sharjah had hoped to be present in to represent Emirati football.

Al-Ittihad fans are anxiously awaiting the latest developments regarding the medical condition of French star Moussa Diaby and his availability for the highly anticipated match against Al-Hilal. This intense interest coincides with Al-Ittihad's preparations for the crucial encounter at the Kingdom Arena, a match that could prove decisive in the title race.

Private sources revealed to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi details of the treatment program currently being undergone by the player, confirming that Moussa Diaby has entered an intensive rehabilitation program that includes daily therapy sessions, in a race against time to be fit for the team's upcoming match against Al-Hilal in the Roshan Professional League. Medical sources indicated that initial estimates suggest the player's absence will be no less than seven days, casting serious doubt on his participation. However, the player's desire and determination may play a role in accelerating his return.

In a related development, Al-Ittihad's Portuguese coach, Sergio Conceição, excluded Diaby from the squad that recently faced Al-Sadd of Qatar as a precautionary measure due to an injury that prevented him from being fully fit. Al-Ittihad's coaching staff is working to have all their key players ready for the upcoming derby match, given Diaby's technical ability and significant impact on the attack.

The importance of the derby and the impact of absences
: The Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Hilal match takes on strategic importance that transcends being merely a three-point game; it represents the "Saudi football derby," which enjoys widespread popularity across the Arab and Asian football scenes. This match comes at a crucial juncture in the competition, as each team seeks to assert its dominance and strengthen its position in the standings, making the absence of any key player a significant blow to the coaches' plans.

Moussa Diaby is considered one of Al-Ittihad's key players this season, with coach Conceição relying on him to orchestrate quick counter-attacks and exploit the spaces behind the opposition's defenders. The absence of a player of his caliber in a match as crucial as the Al-Hilal game could force tactical changes to the team's style of play, especially given the formidable attacking prowess of their opponents.

Al-Ittihad fans hope that the medical efforts will succeed in preparing the player, as Diaby has expressed a strong desire to be present and participate normally to help his teammates in this crucial match, pending the final decision that will be issued by the medical staff a few hours before the match.