Al-Ittihad Saudi Club announced in an official statement published on its X platform that club president Fahad Sindi will hold a press conference during the first week of February. This conference comes at a crucial time for the club, aiming to clarify several sensitive issues that have arisen recently and to provide definitive answers to the loyal fans of "Al-Ameed" (the club's nickname).

The official statement read: “Based on the principles of transparency and respect for Al-Ittihad fans, club president Fahad Sindi will clarify several issues related to the club that have arisen recently, during the first week of February.” This announcement reflects the administration’s desire to address the anxiety among fans due to the team’s inconsistent performance and results.

A tense context and a background of high expectations

This press conference comes after a difficult period for the reigning Roshan Professional League champions. Despite the club's historic summer signings of world-class stars Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Fabinho, the team has failed to live up to expectations, experiencing a decline in performance that has led to a series of disappointing results, culminating in a surprising 2-1 defeat against Al-Qadisiyah. These results have placed the team and its management under immense pressure from fans and the media, making this upcoming press conference a highly anticipated event.

The importance of the conference and its expected impact

This step is of paramount importance both domestically and internationally. Domestically, Al-Ittihad fans are awaiting clear answers regarding the reasons for the team's decline in performance, the future of the coaching staff, and the management's plans to rectify the situation during the remainder of the season. Discussions are also expected to cover the club's strategy during the winter transfer window and an evaluation of the performance of both local and foreign players.

On a regional and international level, the stability of a club the size of Al-Ittihad, which boasts world-class stars, directly impacts the image and reputation of the Saudi league as a whole. The club's news is closely followed by global media, and any decisions or clarifications issued at the press conference will have a wide-ranging impact and could influence the world's perception of the ambitious Saudi football project. As the team prepares to face Al-Akhdoud in the eighteenth round of the Roshan League, fans hope this press conference will be a turning point towards regaining balance and achieving victories.

Al-Qadisiyah's Irish manager, Brendan Rodgers, emphasized that the recent victory against Al-Ittihad is now in the past, stressing the importance of humility and focusing on the future within the framework of the club's ambitious project. His remarks came in a video released by the club, where he clearly outlined his philosophy, which is based on continuous improvement and not resting on past glories.

Rodgers said: “Humility is always important regardless of the result, because the Al-Ittihad game is now part of our history, and we have to look ahead and focus on the next game. Our performance level was very high, and we will review and analyze the positive moments, but our main focus is on improving performance.”.

Background of the ambitious Al-Qadisiyah project

This focus on a professional mindset comes within the context of the significant transformation underway at Al-Qadisiyah FC, recently promoted back to the Saudi Professional League. Following their promotion as Yellow League champions, the club has entered a new era under the ownership of Saudi Aramco, which aims to build a team capable of competing for domestic and continental titles. The appointment of a world-class manager of Brendan Rodgers' caliber, with his extensive experience in the English Premier League, and the signing of a legendary Real Madrid captain like Nacho Fernandez, are clear indicators of the club's ambitions and its desire to establish itself among the elite.

The importance of Nacho's leadership and its impact

Rodgers particularly praised the leadership role of Spanish defender Nacho, considering him a cornerstone in building the team's winning mentality. He added: “We have Nacho, a fantastic leader who understands what it means to win and how the team keeps winning time after time. I make sure that the players understand the importance of humility. It’s important to celebrate success, but when it comes to performance and development, we must always look ahead.”.

Impact on the Roshan League and the competition

Al-Qadisiyah's strong start to the season is not just a success for a newly promoted club, but also reflects the growing level of competition within the Roshan League. The presence of a team with such technical and administrative capabilities raises the bar for the established giants and enhances the league's appeal both regionally and internationally. The success of Al-Qadisiyah's project may inspire other clubs to adopt similar strategies, contributing to the overall strength and depth of the competition.

Preparing for the future and focusing on recovery

Rodgers concluded by emphasizing that match preparations remain unchanged regardless of the opponent, noting that the team began preparing for the Al-Najma match immediately after the Al-Ittihad game. He said, “We started preparing for the Al-Najma game right after the final whistle. Physically, the team is in very good shape, and although we only have two days of recovery, we want to maintain our physical condition thanks to the players’ commitment to recovery with the sports science team and the excellent medical staff.”.

Al-Qadisiyah is preparing to face Al-Najma in the seventeenth round of the Roshan League, where it enters the match in fourth place with 36 points, while Al-Najma is at the bottom of the standings with 4 points, making it an important match for Al-Qadisiyah to continue putting pressure on the leading teams.

In a vibrant atmosphere on Jeddah's waterfront, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, crowned the "OK Racing Team," comprised of the Spanish duo Dani Clos and Jamaican Sara Messer, champions of the opening round of the 2026 E1 World Powerboat Championship. The coronation ceremony took place on Saturday, January 24, 2026, in the presence of high-ranking figures, including His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi Al Saud, Governor of Jeddah, and His Royal Highness Prince Albert II, Prince of Monaco, reflecting the international significance of this prestigious sporting event.

The podium also witnessed the honoring of the remaining winners. His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Salman Al Saud, President of the Saudi Arabian Maritime Sports and Diving Federation, presented the second-place trophy to Team Brady, represented by Briton Sam Coleman and Finnish swimmer Emma Kämilainen. Ms. Sophie Horne, founder and CEO of SeaBird Technologies, presented the third-place award to Team Al-Ula, comprised of Canadian Rusty Wyatt and Spaniard Nerea Martí. The ceremony concluded with Alejandro Agag, founder and CEO of the E1 Series, awarding the Manufacturers' Cup to Team OK, in recognition of their outstanding performance.

Background and importance of the E1 tournament

Founded by Alejandro Agag and Rudy Basso, the E1 World Championship for electric powerboats is the world’s first all-electric powerboat racing series and represents a revolution in the world of marine sports. Building on Agag’s success in establishing the Formula E and Extreme E electric car championships, the series aims to accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility in aquatic environments. The championship features the futuristic RaceBird powerboats, which utilize hydrofoil technology, allowing them to rise above the water’s surface during racing. This reduces drag, increases efficiency and speed, and provides a stunning visual experience for spectators.

The strategic impact of hosting the event in the Kingdom

Jeddah’s hosting of this inaugural round is a strategic step aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and enhance the Kingdom’s position as a leading global destination for tourism, sports, and entertainment. Organizing this event, a collaboration between the Saudi Arabian Maritime Sports and Diving Federation, the Ministry of Sport, and in partnership with the Public Investment Fund, reflects a firm commitment to supporting environmental sustainability and protecting marine ecosystems. Internationally, this event reinforces the Kingdom’s image as a key player in the future of global sports, demonstrating its ability to organize major events that combine sporting excellence, technological innovation, and environmental responsibility.

At the end of the first round, the OK Racing Team topped the overall championship standings, followed by the Brady Team in second place and the Al-Ula Team in third. Watersports enthusiasts now turn their attention to the second round of the championship, scheduled to take place on Lake Como, Italy, on April 24th and 25th, promising to continue an exciting and competitive season.