Al-Riyadh Club, which competes in the Saudi Professional League, announced today, Friday, that its board of directors has officially completed the procedures for signing Algerian defensive midfielder Victor Lakha, coming from the ranks of Kuwaiti club Al-Qadsia, as part of the club's management's efforts to strengthen the team's ranks with experienced players during the current winter transfer period.

This signing comes as a strategic move by Al-Wusta School's management to bolster their defensive midfield, as the 31-year-old player possesses extensive experience. Lakh joined Kuwait's Al-Qadsia during the last summer transfer window, following a successful stint in the Qatar Stars League with Umm Salal, who signed him in the summer of 2023/24 from the prestigious French club Le Havre, reflecting the player's gradual professional development across various leagues.

Looking at the statistics that reflect a player's technical ability, Victor Lekha, who has five international caps for the Algerian national team, was a highly effective player last season with Umm Salal. He played 30 matches, transcending his defensive role to score five goals and provide three assists for his teammates in 2,674 minutes of play. This makes him a strong addition to Al-Riyadh's midfield, which needs players with leadership qualities and the ability to link the lines.

This deal is part of a broader move by Al-Riyadh Club in the winter transfer window, as the management seeks to improve the team's performance in the league. Prior to this announcement, the club had already signed Abdul-Ilah Al-Khaibri, Rayan Al-Balushi, Enis Sali, and Faisal Al-Subhi, in a serious effort to restructure the team to compete effectively in the second half of the Roshan League season.

On the field, the team faces a significant challenge today, as Al-Riyadh travels to face Neom at 5:25 PM this Friday, in the 21st round of the Roshan League. This match is of paramount importance to the Riyadh-based team, which is struggling in the standings.

Al-Riyadh Club enters this match occupying the sixteenth position in the Roshan League standings with (12) points, a position that puts it in the immediate danger zone, making the three points a basic requirement, and doubling the importance of the new deals, most notably Victor Lakha, in providing the desired technical addition to lift the team out of the relegation zones and ensure its survival among the elite.

The world's attention is focused on Italy today, Friday, as the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics officially begin, ushering in a new chapter in the history of winter sports with a spectacular opening ceremony at Milan's iconic San Siro stadium. This event comes at a time when fans are anxiously awaiting news on the participation of American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn, who is racing against time to test the readiness of her knee in crucial training sessions.

Games return to their European birthplace, but face logistical challenges

This edition holds immense historical and strategic significance, marking the return of the Winter Olympics to Europe and specifically to the Alps, the traditional birthplace of these sports. This is the third time Italy has hosted the Winter Olympic Games, following the 1956 Cortina d'Ampezzo Games 70 years ago and the 2006 Turin Games 20 years ago. This hosting reflects international confidence in Italy's ability to organize major events, despite the climatic challenges that now threaten the future of winter sports globally.

The 2026 Games are distinguished by being the most geographically dispersed in Olympic history, with events kicking off in Milan, the country's economic capital, at 8:00 PM local time. The three-hour parade then unfolds across breathtaking locations in the Alps and the Dolomites. The competitions are spread across a vast area of ​​22,000 square kilometers, encompassing seven main venues in northeastern Italy, presenting an unprecedented logistical challenge for the organizers.

A new and sustainable economic model

From an economic and organizational standpoint, Italy presents a model quite different from that of previous editions in Sochi and Beijing. Organizers opted against constructing expensive new facilities, preferring instead to rely on existing infrastructure and venues accustomed to hosting World Cups. This strategy aims to reduce the overall cost, which was announced at around €5.2 billion, and to minimize the carbon footprint in line with the International Olympic Committee's sustainability agenda—a direction that could shape the future of the Olympic Games.

Event details and participating stars

Under the theme of "Harmony," creative director Marco Balich has crafted an artistic spectacle that blends the modernity of Milan with the timeless elegance of the Cortina d'Azur mountains. The gala will feature a stellar lineup of international stars, including American superstar Mariah Carey, who will sing in Italian, alongside opera icon Andrea Bocelli, Chinese pianist Lang Lang, and singer Laura Pausini. The event will also pay tribute to Italian fashion and offer a special homage to the late designer Giorgio Armani.

For the first time, some 2,900 athletes will participate in the parade from locations close to their competition venues in Cortina, Livigno, and Predazso, a move aimed at reducing travel burdens. Prominent political figures will attend the opening ceremony, including US Vice President Jay D. Vance, who will hold talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Mystery surrounds the torch, and the competitions begin

While the Olympic flame has arrived in Milan, organizers are still keeping secret the identity of the final torchbearer who will light the two Leonardo da Vinci-inspired cauldrons in Milan and Cortina simultaneously. Speculation suggests that Italian skiing legends Alberto Tonpa and Deborah Compaoré may be chosen for this honor.

In sports, the competitions started early in curling and women's ice hockey, amid some health obstacles faced by the Finnish team, while the United States began its journey with a resounding victory over the Czech Republic, hoping to improve on the silver medal from Beijing 2022. In a related context, fans are eagerly awaiting the return of Lindsey Vonn (41 years old), who is seeking to overcome her cruciate ligament injury and compete again for medals in downhill running.

In a strategic move aimed at bolstering the first team's defense, Al-Ittihad officially announced the completion of the signing of young Cameroonian defender Stefan Keller from Cypriot club AEL Limassol. This deal comes at a crucial time in the season, as the club seeks to strengthen its squad and compete strongly in the remaining matches.

The Al-Ittihad media center explained in an official statement that the signing of the 24-year-old player will be on loan until the end of the current 2024/2025 season. Keller was chosen based on technical recommendations to strengthen the center-back position, especially given the fierce competition in the Saudi Professional League this season and the pressing need for players with physical strength and speed to deal with opposing attacks.

The timing of the deal and the Clasico match

This deal takes on added significance given the timing of its announcement, as Al-Ittihad prepares for a high-stakes match against Al-Nassr in the highly anticipated Saudi Arabian football classic. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:30 PM this Friday, as part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League.

This match represents a crucial turning point for both teams in their league campaign. Al-Ittihad enters the game in sixth place with 34 points. The Tigers, bolstered by their new signings, aim to improve their position in the standings and climb closer to the top spots that qualify for continental competitions, hoping to appease their fans with a performance worthy of the club's illustrious history.

The struggle for the top spot and advanced positions

On the other side, Al-Nassr enters the match with their sights set on nothing less than three points, currently sitting in second place with 46 points. The narrow one-point gap between Al-Nassr and league leaders Al-Hilal (47 points) intensifies the competition, making today's match crucial in the title race. Al-Ittihad's management and coaching staff understand that containing Al-Nassr's potent attack requires a solid defense, which explains their swift move to sign the Cameroonian defender, providing an option to bolster their defensive lineup for upcoming matches.

These moves in the transfer market reflect the strong desire of Saudi clubs to raise the quality of their teams in line with the qualitative shift that sports are witnessing in the Kingdom, as the league has become the focus of the world’s attention, which requires the presence of professional players at the highest level to ensure the continuity of competitiveness and excitement until the final rounds of the competition.