Tonight, all eyes in Saudi Arabia will be on the Kingdom Arena, which will host a highly anticipated clash between league leaders Al-Hilal and their arch-rivals Al-Ahli, in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League. This match, known as the "Clásico," carries added significance for both teams in their pursuit of the league title this season.

Historical background and renewed competition

The rivalry between Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli stretches back decades, as they represent two of the giants of Saudi football. Their encounters have always been characterized by intense competition, excitement, and large fan attendance. Today's match comes as Al-Hilal seeks to consolidate its lead and widen the gap with its closest rivals, while Al-Ahli hopes to achieve a positive result that will bring it back into contention and close the gap with the leading teams.

Jesus's statements and concerns ahead of the summit

In the pre-match press conference, Al-Hilal's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, discussed his team's preparations, revealing some of the challenges they face. Jesus explained that the participation of one of the key players remains uncertain, saying, "I don't know yet whether one of our players will be ready for the upcoming match against Al-Ahli." He indicated that the final decision regarding his participation will be based on an assessment of his condition in the final training session before the match, emphasizing that the team will continue to work hard regardless of any absences.

The set-piece crisis is troubling Al-Hilal's defense

Jesus didn't hesitate to acknowledge a weakness the team is working to address, saying, "Al-Hilal has been struggling recently with conceding too many goals from set pieces." He added, "We are analyzing these errors and working intensively to correct them during current training sessions to avoid repeating them in an important match like the one against Al-Ahli, who have excellent players in that area.".

Expected impact of the match

The outcome of this derby will have a significant impact on the league standings. A victory for Al-Hilal would be a major blow to their rivals' ambitions and a confirmation of their dominance, while a win for Al-Ahli would give them a huge morale boost and great confidence to finish the season. Jesus concluded his remarks by emphasizing his team's objective, saying: "Our goal is clear: to win against Al-Ahli and secure the three points in order to maintain our position at the top of the Roshan Professional League standings this season.".

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.