The curtain fell today in Riyadh on the 2026 Arabian Horse Local Production Championship , a key event on the Saudi equestrian calendar that directly supports Arabian horse owners and breeders in the Kingdom. The closing ceremony saw the stallion "Kareem Al-Khaled," owned by Al-Ahliya Arabian Horse Stud, crowned champion with the gold medal. The silver medal went to "Anwar Al-Sayed," owned by Al-Sayed Stud, and the bronze to "SK Shaheen," amidst a highly competitive atmosphere that reflected the quality of locally bred horses.

The current edition of the championship witnessed a wide and unprecedented participation, with 240 purebred Arabian horses competing, owned by 151 owners from various regions of the Kingdom, which confirms the rapid growth of this sector and the growing status that the local production championship has gained as a major platform to highlight the beauty and strength of Saudi-origin horses.

The importance of the tournament and its historical context

This championship holds special significance beyond being a sporting event, as it is deeply intertwined with the cultural and historical heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is the ancestral home of the Arabian horse, and its wise leadership has dedicated considerable attention to preserving its lineage and purity. Organizing this championship under the auspices of the King Abdulaziz Arabian Horse Center and the Murtajiz Equestrian Center is a continuation of a long tradition of caring for this rich heritage. The Center serves as a reference and oversight body, ensuring the sustainability and development of the breeds according to international standards.

Economic and social impact and keeping pace with the vision

The benefits of these championships extend beyond mere competition, encompassing a tangible economic and social impact. By offering substantial cash prizes to the winners, the championships incentivize owners and breeders to continue improving local breeding stock, thereby enhancing the market value of Saudi Arabian horses both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, the accompanying family-oriented events have enriched the entertainment and cultural experience, transforming the championships into a comprehensive tourist and leisure destination.

These efforts directly contribute to achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 , which seeks to consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a leading global destination in the field of equestrianism, increase the contribution of the sports sector to the gross domestic product, and enhance national identity by celebrating authentic cultural symbols such as the Arabian horse.

Saudi Arabian skiing star Faiq Abdi has completed all his technical and physical preparations for the slalom competition at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The competition is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Monday, at the renowned Stelvio Ski Resort in northern Italy, amidst great anticipation for the Saudi participation in this global event.

Race details and participation timing

According to the approved competition schedule, the first round of the race will begin at 12:00 PM Saudi Arabia time, while the second and decisive round will take place at 3:30 PM. This participation marks the culmination of Abdi's second appearance in the history of the Winter Olympic Games, reflecting the development of winter sports in the Kingdom and its continued presence on the international stage.

A commendable performance in giant skating

The Saudi champion concluded his participation in the Giant Slalom competition held yesterday, Saturday, on the same course. Abdi recorded a total time of 2:53.41 minutes after successfully completing both runs of the race, in a fierce competition that included 81 elite skiers from around the world. This performance reflects his determination and resolve to represent the Kingdom in the best possible way among the sport's giants.

Official support and leadership presence

The Saudi delegation in Italy is receiving significant support and attention. His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, Vice President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and head of the Saudi delegation participating in the Games, attended training sessions and competitions. This presence underscores the Kingdom's sports leadership's commitment to supporting athletes and providing them with all the necessary resources for success, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in the sports sector.

Historical context and strategic importance

Faiq Abdi's participation in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is of particular importance, as it solidifies Saudi Arabia's presence in the Winter Games, which officially and historicly began at the Beijing 2022 Olympics. His continued participation for a second consecutive Games confirms that winter sports in Saudi Arabia are not merely a passing event, but rather part of a long-term strategic plan to diversify the sports in which the Kingdom competes globally. Furthermore, competing on the Stelvio track, one of the most challenging and prestigious tracks in the world, provides the Saudi athlete with invaluable international experience and inspires a new generation of Saudi athletes aspiring to break into unconventional sporting fields.

Dutchman Arne Slot, manager of Liverpool FC, expressed his great admiration for the exceptional level and comprehensive contribution made by Egyptian star Mohamed Salah during the match that ended with the Reds' crushing victory over Brighton by three goals to nil, in the fourth round of the prestigious FA Cup.

The Egyptian King returns to shine at Anfield

Anfield witnessed a remarkable night as Liverpool rediscovered their brilliance, with Salah playing a pivotal role in the victory. The Egyptian star not only contributed his usual attacking prowess but also provided a crucial assist for his Hungarian teammate, Dominik Szoboszlai, who expertly scored the second goal. Salah then capped his performance by winning a penalty, which he converted himself, securing the win and marking his return to scoring form after a period of drought.

Curtis Jones had opened the scoring for Liverpool, netting his first goal in 58 games, paving the way for his teammates to take control of the match.

Slott praises the new defensive role

In his post-match comments, Arne Slot emphasized that Salah's return to the scoresheet was fantastic, but what truly impressed him was the Egyptian star's tactical discipline and immense physical effort in defense. The Dutch coach pointed out that Salah's contribution to the team's ball recovery and pressing of the opposition was a very positive aspect, going far beyond simply scoring goals, as is always expected of him. This, he said, reflects significant maturity and adaptation to the new playing philosophy.

Context of returning and responding to rumors

This impressive performance comes at a crucial time for Mohamed Salah and Liverpool, as it marks only his second goal for the club since November 1st of the season. The match gained particular significance given the intense speculation surrounding the Egyptian star's future before the recent Africa Cup of Nations, and the media reports of tensions or disagreements with manager Slot due to Salah being benched on several previous occasions.

However, Salah’s performance and his clear harmony with the coach’s instructions proved that he is fully adapted to his new and different role within the Dutch coach’s squad since his return from continental participation, which puts an end to the rumors and confirms the player’s commitment to his club.

Promising partnership with Soboslay

Regarding team relations, Salah heaped praise on his teammate and close friend Dominik Szoboszlai after the match, describing him as one of the best players in the world right now. This opinion was strongly supported by Slot, who emphasized that the Hungarian captain perfectly exemplifies Liverpool's successful policy of signing and developing young talent into world-class players, promising a bright future for the Reds' attack in upcoming domestic and continental competitions.