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.

A surprising draw for Al-Hilal football team sparked anger among its large fan base on social media platforms, as the Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, was subjected to harsh criticism for some of his technical decisions, which fans considered a direct cause of wasting two valuable points in the Saudi Professional League race.

Al-Hilal fans expressed their deep disappointment with the result, considering anything less than a win a defeat for a team of the club's stature, especially given their exceptional season and historic winning streak. Criticism focused particularly on the starting lineup chosen by coach Jesus, as well as some of the substitutions he made in the second half, which some felt were unsuccessful and failed to improve the course of the match.

Season context and fan expectations

This setback comes at a time when Al-Hilal is enjoying a golden era under the leadership of Jorge Jesus, who has succeeded in building a strong and cohesive team, breaking local and continental records. After a summer filled with major international signings such as Neymar, Mitrovic, Savic, and Malcom, the fans' expectations soared, and winning every match became the primary and sole demand. This context makes any draw, even away from home or in difficult circumstances, unacceptable to a large segment of supporters who are accustomed to seeing their team achieve consecutive victories with convincing performances.

The importance of the result and its expected impact

Although Al Hilal still comfortably leads the league standings, this draw serves as a wake-up call for the team as they enter the crucial stages of the season. Domestically, the team aims to maintain their lead and avoid any surprises that could bring their rivals back into contention. Continentally, they are preparing for the advanced stages of the AFC Champions League, a tournament of paramount importance to the club and its fans. Therefore, any dip in form or tactical lapse is viewed with great concern, fearing its impact on player morale and focus during this final and most critical phase of the season. The biggest challenge facing Jesus and his players remains quickly overcoming this setback and returning to winning ways to silence the critics and reaffirm their dominance in the title race.