Al-Hilal received a huge morale and tactical boost with the return of their Senegalese international defender, Kalidou Koulibaly, to the squad ahead of the highly anticipated derby against Al-Ahli. The match is scheduled to take place at the Kingdom Arena as part of the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League, a fixture of great importance to both teams and their fans.

Sources confirmed that Coulibaly is fully fit and ready to participate in the match, having successfully completed his treatment and rehabilitation program and fully recovered from the injury that sidelined him recently. His presence is considered crucial to the team's defense, as he is expected to return to his position as a starting center-back alongside Ali Al-Bulaihi, providing the team with added solidity and experience.

General context and importance of Koulibaly's return

Kalidou Koulibaly's move to Al-Hilal in the summer of 2023 from English club Chelsea was part of the Saudi Pro League's project to attract world-class football stars. Since his arrival, the former Senegal captain and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations winner has proven his worth as one of the league's best defenders, thanks to his physical strength, his ability to read the game, and his extensive experience playing in Europe with clubs such as Napoli and Genk.

The absence of Koulibaly in recent times posed a challenge to Al-Hilal's defense, and despite the team's good performance, his return is an indispensable boost, especially in big matches that demand high concentration and experience in handling pressure. The Al-Ahli match is considered one such encounter, given the intense historical rivalry between the two clubs, known as the "Clásico.".

Expected impact on Al-Hilal's journey

Al-Hilal, the league leaders, are looking to extend their impressive winning streak and maintain their unbeaten record this season. The return of Coulibaly comes at an ideal time to bolster the team's ambitions of securing the domestic title early, as well as competing strongly in the AFC Champions League. Having a player of Coulibaly's caliber not only strengthens the defense but also boosts the morale of his teammates and instills confidence in the entire squad.

On the international level, the Roshan League matches are gaining increasing global attention, and the presence of stars of Koulibaly’s caliber in classic matches like these contributes to raising the value of the Saudi football product and attracting more attention to the development and strength of the competition.

On a day filled with competition and excitement, the camel “Hasri,” owned by Saudi Arabian Battan bin Masoud Al-Marri, stole the show and won one of the most prestigious cups of the season: the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival Cup in its third edition, in the Thanaia (male camels - general) category. “Hasri” recorded a time of 12:45.104 minutes in the fourth heat of the eighth day of the festival, confirming her worthiness of this prestigious title.

Background and importance of the camel festival

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival, held at the historic Janadriyah Camel Racing Track in Riyadh, is one of the most important heritage and sporting events in the region. This event reflects the great attention given by the Saudi leadership, represented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, to the camel racing sector as an authentic cultural heritage and an integral part of the national identity. The festival aims to develop this time-honored sport in accordance with an ambitious vision aligned with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance the cultural, tourism, and economic sectors. With prizes exceeding 75 million riyals, the festival attracts elite camel owners and riders from across the Kingdom and the Gulf region, generating significant economic and tourism activity.

Competition details and crowning of champions

The “Thanaya” camel races saw the winners crowned by His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Camel Racing Federation. The dominance wasn't limited to Saudi camels, as Emirati camels also made a strong showing. “Al-Wasmiya,” owned by the UAE Presidential Camel Racing Team, won the first race (open category for female camels), while “Malih,” owned by the same owner, won the second race (open category for male camels). “Al-Sulay’iyah,” owned by Emirati Maneh Ali Al Shamsi, won the third race (general category for female camels). This Gulf competition reflects the high level of the festival and its regional importance.

Historic female participation enhances the legacy

The festival's activities weren't limited to traditional races; it also featured a significant addition: a camel race with a human rider, boasting notable female participation. This participation, which included female camel riders from seven countries, including Denmark for the first time, is a significant step towards enhancing the role of women in traditional sports. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia led the way with the largest number of participants, boasting 19 female camel riders, reflecting the efforts of the Saudi Camel Racing Federation in promoting this culture and providing a supportive environment and a comprehensive system that includes training and professional camps.

The joy of victory and dedicating the achievement

Owner Battan Masoud Al-Marri expressed his overwhelming joy at this achievement, emphasizing that winning a cup bearing the name of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is a true honor. He explained that this success is the result of meticulous planning and tireless work in preparing the camel, "Hasri," for this prestigious event. Al-Marri dedicated the victory to everyone who supported and assisted him, considering this triumph a source of joy for all Saudis who were eager to keep the coveted cup in the Kingdom, a goal achieved thanks to God and the ongoing support the camel racing sector receives.