Category: Games

DUBAI: Adding another feather to their cap, Emirati athletes continued their impressive showing at the first Gulf Youth Games UAE 2024 as they added a record-breaking 37 medals on the twelfth day.

This remarkable feat established a new record for the highest number of medals attained in a single day since the tournament commenced on April 16.

The UAE is currently hosting the inaugural edition of first-ever Gulf Youth Games, under the theme “Our Gulf is One… Our Youth is Promising.’

Kicked off on16th April and ending on May 2, this event brings together a remarkable 3,500 young athletes, including males and females, competing in a diverse range of 24 sports disciplines.

In 12 competitions took place on Saturday, the UAE secured 18 medals in karate, 10 in swimming, four in judo medals, three in archery, two in cycling medals. This splendid performance further solidified their position atop the medal standings. Their overall tally now stands at 231 medals, comprising 73 gold, 86 silver, and 72 bronze.

Sau
di Arabia also saw an increase in their medal count, reaching 93 in total, with 40 gold, 33 silver, and 20 bronze. Kuwait followed closely behind in third place with 89 medals, including 23 gold, 31 silver, and 35 bronze. Bahrain secured fourth place with 57 medals, boasting 19 gold, 15 silver, and 23 bronze. Qatar advanced to fifth place with 42 medals, consisting of 17 gold, 10 silver, and 15 bronze. Oman secured sixth place with 46 medals, comprising 17 gold, 10 silver, and 19 bronze.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ASTURIAS: A sprint in the rain gave UAE Team Emirates’ Antonio Morgado his second victory as a pro.

After the success obtained last Sunday in the Giro di Romagna, the Portuguese cyclist won stage 2 of the Vuelta Asturias, preceding Albert Torres (Movistar) and teammate Isaac Del Toro, who continues his leadership in the general classification.

The race, which started from Ribeira de Arriba and rolled for 200 km to Ribadesella on a course with one 2nd category climb and five 3rd category hills, the last one at 40 km to go, was controlled perfectly by UAE Team Emirates, that gave freedom to a five riders breakaway, before neutralizing that action at -20 km.

The solo attempt by Samuel Fernandez (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), was neutralised by the Emirati team, and set up the final sprint in which Antonio Morgado prevailed thanks to a powerful acceleration.

This is the 28th victory of the season for UAE Team Emirates, and tomorrow they will try to defend the leader’s jersey of Isaac Del Toro in the final stage at
Benia de Onis-Oviedo (140 km): the main opponent will be Josè Manuel Diaz (Burgos-BH), who is 3rd at 1’09’, while in second place there is Del Toro’s mate Rafal Majka.

Commenting on his win, Morgado said, ‘The race was long and the day cold and with a lot of rain. The team trusted me, and all my mates did a great performance in trying to give me the opportunity to win, so I tried to sprint exploiting a super good lead-out.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

Kuwaiti powerboat team made two achievements in the first round of the 2024 World Championship Endurance, organized by the International Powerboat Federation in the Spanish city of Sanxenxo, which concluded its competitions Sunday.

Head of the Kuwaiti delegation, head of the speedboat, wakeboard, and freediving committee at the Kuwaiti Marine Sports Club, Ali Al-Shamali, said that world champions Bader Al-Dosari and his assistant, Mohammed Al-Essayie, won second place in the “Production Boat Class” category (B) for single-engine boats with a power of 300 horsepower.

He added that world champion Khaled Karam and his assistant Adel Al-Sharidah won third place in the Promotion Class category (P) for single-engine boats with a power of 150 horsepower in the two-day tournament in the Galicia region in northeastern Spain.

Al-Shamali expressed his joy for the two wins, which witnessed great competition, a distinguished presence from all the contestants, and wide public attention.

The Kuwaiti team competed with o
thers from several countries, including Belgium, the United Kingdom, Malta, Italy and Spain, in the first round of the 2024 tournament, which consists of three rounds, with the second round scheduled to take place in Belgium next June.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, President of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, and Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, have crowned the winners of the Abu Dhabi Grand Kingfish Championship 2024, which was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

The tournament was organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, as part of efforts to preserve traditional competitions that celebrate the UAE’s maritime heritage.

The ceremony was held at the Mohammed Khalaf Majlis in the Al Karama area in Abu Dhabi, and was attended by a number of tournament participants, members of the organising committee, and media representatives.

The top three place holders were Hamad Al Kamali, crowned with the first place prize award and AED200,000 after reeling in a kingfish weighing 32.69 kg, Omar Al Buraiki, who received the second place prize and AED150,000, and Muhammad Al Mar
zooqi, who received the third place and AED100,000.

Participants in the tournament who came from outside the UAE, namely from the Jordan, Oman, and Bahrain, were also honoured, as well as the Emirati women’s Al Namous team, and the supporting bodies, sponsors and partners who played a major role in the successes achieved in the tournament.

These include Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, Yas Canal, Delma Marine, Abu Dhabi Marine, National Guard Command, Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and Mohammed Khalaf Majlis.

More than 1,500 anglers participated in the largest event of its kind in the region, aboard more than 360 fishing boats. A total of 166 kingfish were delivered for weighing by 138 boats, and participants competed for cash prizes worth a total of AED1 million.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Kingfish Championship has become one of the most important marine sporting events which preserves kingfishing amongst UAE Nationals, encourages the community to pr
actice the sport of fishing, restores the local marine heritage, provides opportunities for amateurs to practice fishing, and revives the spirit of competition among them in the sport.

Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, extended his sincere thanks to H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his generous sponsorship of the maritime festival, which promotes making sport part of a daily lifestyle and aims to revive marine fishing sports.

Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said, ‘We thank everyone who contributed to the amazing successes achieved by the tournament, since its announcement. We also extend our thanks to those who contributed to supporting the tournament, including sponsors and strategic partners. We would like to pay tribute here to the great role played by the organising committees in the success of the tournament, and we promise everyone that there’s more to come.’

Source: Emirates News Agency

The World Economic Forum, together with the Ministry of Economy and Planning of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will host an Open Forum in parallel to the Forum’s Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development, taking place in Riyadh on 28-29 April.

This public event aims to facilitate dialogue between thought leaders and the broader public on a range of topics, including environmental challenges, mental health, digital currencies, artificial intelligence, the role of the arts in society, modern-day entrepreneurship, and smart cities. It will provide an opportunity for students, entrepreneurs, young professionals and the general public to discuss these critical issues.

‘Under Saudi Vision 2030, Riyadh has become a global capital for thought leadership, action and solutions, fostering the exchange of knowledge and innovative ideas,’ said HE Faisal F. Alibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning for Saudi Arabia. ‘Hosting this year’s Open Forum in Riyadh is a testament to the city’s gr
owing influence and role on the international stage and will help build on, and elevate, the Open Forum’s 20-year legacy.’

‘We look forward to welcoming and convening thought leaders and entrepreneurs to engage with the public on future-oriented themes, which Riyadh is uniquely positioned to do as a global focal point for innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development,’ he said.

Michèle Mischler, Head of Swiss Public Affairs and Sustainability at the World Economic Forum, added: ‘Including the Saudi public in Open Forum sessions fosters diverse perspectives, enriches global dialogue, and empowers collective solutions for a more inclusive and sustainable future.’

Following the success of the Open Forum at the Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, the Forum is bringing its publicly accessible, open-debate format to Saudi Arabia for the first time. Since 2003, the Open Forum has brought together leaders from all walks of life: government officials, artists, civil society leaders, entre
preneurs and chief executive officers of multinational companies. The sessions are designed to engage a diverse global audience and facilitate the exchange of a wide range of ideas, experiences and stories on pressing and controversial issues.

The Open Forum Davos was founded in 2003, when a series of public sessions was co-organized by the World Economic Forum and civic society groups, including churches, fair trade organizations and the Swiss Red Cross. Today, the Open Forum Davos remains a key platform for all of society to share thoughts and experiences on pressing and controversial issues. For further information, click here.

The Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development will enable comprehensive dialogue on leveraging global cooperation for economic development, promoting a global energy transition that underpins sustainability. For further information, click here.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Exactly three months before the Paris Olympic Games begin, the Olympic flame has been handed over, transitioning from its Greek origins to the French stage, signifying the next chapter in its journey towards Paris. The ceremony, hosted Friday by the Hellenic Olympic Committee, unfolded in Athens’ iconic Panathenaic Stadium, which hosted the first Olympic Games of the modern era in 1896, embodying a message of peace and unity. The Olympic Games Paris 2024 will begin on 26 July and continue until 11 August. Thereafter, the Paralympic Games will take place from 28 August until 8 September.

The ceremony encapsulated the timeless spirit of the Olympic Movement and served as a poignant reminder of the values it represents, connecting the history and tradition of the ancient Olympic Games with the Games approaching this summer, according to a press release issued by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

With the Greek stage now over, the Olympic flame will board the historic French three-masted ship, Belem on
Saturday (27 April). The voyage across the Mediterranean will then begin, symbolising the enduring friendship between Greece and France. On 8 May, the flame will arrive in the port of Marseille, the oldest city in France, founded some 2,600 years ago by Greek sailors, heralding the start of celebratory festivities in the host nation.

Around 10,000 torchbearers will carry the Olympic flame over the course of 69 days. The relay route will pass through more than 450 cities across 65 regions in France, with special visits planned to six overseas territories: Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, French Polynesia, Réunion and New Caledonia.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Kuwait on Saturday won 16 more miscellaneous medals in karate, swimming, table tennis, archery and electronic games in the First Gulf Youth Games, which kicked off in the UAE on April 16.

Kuwait’s national karate team won 10 medals, including three gold, one silver and six bronze, while swimmers obtained three medals; one gold and two bronze.

The country’s table tennis squad clinched one silver medal, and its archery team won one bronze medal. In electronic games, Kuwait secured one bronze medal.

Hosted by the UAE, the first Gulf Youth Games kicked off on 16th April and will conclude on 2nd May 2024, with the participation of 3,500 male and female athletes competing in 24 disciplines, under the theme, “Our Gulf is One… Our youth are promising”.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

ABU DHABI: Ethara, the organisers of Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024, announced that the #AbuDhabiGP 2023 weekend saw a record-breaking attendance of 170,000 fans enjoying the action at Yas Marina Circuit, with 65% of guests coming from outside the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix continues to build a loyal and passionate fanbase, with around half of 2023 race weekend’s guests having attended a previous edition in recent years, according to a press release it issued today.

There has also been a noticeable shift in visitors’ demographics, with a more diversified audience brought on by increased demand from younger fans and female racegoers.

Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a hub for major sporting, entertainment, and cultural events, in line with its strategic vision of economic diversification.

In 2023, the event’s influence was indisputable, with a total weekend expenditure of AED 1.165 billion ($317 million), further cementing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a truly global hub
for tourism and leisure.

Meanwhile, the popularity of Formula 1 continues to soar both regionally and internationally. During the 2023 season, the sport saw over 5.9 million fans attend its 23 race weekends – a 43% increase compared to 2018 – with this year’s record-setting calendar featuring 24 races across 21 countries.

A further enhancement to the fan experience will give racegoers the opportunity to run the iconic Yas Marina Circuit on December 5, ahead of the season finale.

Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, CEO, Ethara, said: ‘The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix continues to bring together the excitement of motor racing’s top competitors and some of the world’s biggest music stars, setting the benchmark as the region’s largest sporting and entertainment experience, combined with unique leisure offerings across the race weekend’.

‘Ethara are set once again to deliver a full calendar of award-winning events and are ready once more to bring incredible spectacles to our fans and deliver on our brand promise of making moments
that matter.

‘Yas Island and Abu Dhabi are setting higher standards than ever before, attracting thousands of international visitors to this regional hub looking for a combination of tourism and major sporting and entertainment events.’

As the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebrates its 16th edition, the iconic event has become a catalyst for the flourishing tourism and leisure industries in the region, drawing visitors from all corners of the globe to experience the electrifying atmosphere and unparalleled hospitality that Abu Dhabi has to offer.

The organisers of Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 are gearing up to deliver a bigger and more exhilarating race weekend (December 6-8) on Yas Island than ever before, as Formula One is set to deliver its biggest season amid the sport’s exponential global growth.

The region’s largest sport and entertainment weekend continues to grow year-on-year, becoming a cornerstone of the region’s tourism and leisure sectors.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), praised the successful hosting of the UAE for the first edition of the Gulf Youth Games 2024, noting the outstanding preparations and great efforts made to ensure the success of this historic first-of-its-kind event for Gulf youth.

In his statements, Jasem AlBudaiwi described the opening ceremony as impressive, embodying concepts of authenticity and youth spirit. Its segments focused on sustainability, solidarity, and youth.

He expressed his happiness with the large attendance of participating delegations and the noble fraternal competition among siblings, affirming that the tournament marks a distinguished start towards a better future for Gulf sports.

The GCC Secretary-General attended the official opening ceremony of the first Gulf Youth Games, alongside several Gulf leaders and personalities.

The competitions of the tournament started on 16th April and will continue until 2nd May under t
he slogan “Our Gulf is One… Our youth are promising”.

ABudaiwi extended congratulations to the wise leadership of the UAE and its brotherly people for hosting the historic first Gulf Youth Games, describing it as a qualitative leap for joint Gulf action and expressing profound gratitude to those in charge for their visionary leadership in organising the tournament, which represents a fundamental source for discovering talents and creating champions.

Source: Emirates News Agency

The Beirut Marathon Association continues its participation in international marathons through periodic delegations.

The race director at the association, Irabi Nael, participated in the 2024 Boston Marathon, which is the oldest historically, with its 128th edition, featuring 35,000 runners from around the world.

Nael recorded a time of 00:44:3 hours and also volunteered for a full day at the race expo.

Nael also participated in the London Marathon as a runner and as an assistant to runners to complete the marathon distance (under 4 hours). The operations manager at the association, Francoise Nehme, was present at the race.

Nael and Nehme discussed with a representative from the London Marathon organizing committee the arrival of a technical team to assist the association in the Beirut Marathon scheduled for November 10th.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi will host a groundbreaking event on 27th April, welcoming 10,000 spectators to witness ASPIRE’s inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) at the iconic Yas Marina Circuit. This brand-new autonomous racing competition marks a significant milestone in motorsport history, billed as the largest league of its kind globally.

Eight teams will compete: Code19 Racing (one of the first independent autonomous racing entity from the USA), Constructor University (based in Germany and Switzerland), Fly Eagle (representing Beijing Institute of Technology from China and Khalifa University from the UAE), HUMDA Lab (a member of the Széchenyi István University Group from Hungary), KINETIZ (a collaboration between Singapore Nanyang Technological University and Kintsugi based in the UAE), PoliMOVE (representing Politecnico di Milano from Italy), UNIMORE (also from Italy – University of Modena and Reggio Emilia), and Technical University of Munich – TUM (from Germany), vying for a substantial prize
purse of US$2.25 million.

The participating teams of coders and engineers will each have exclusive access to identical Dallara Super Formula SF23 cars, made possible through a partnership with Japan Race Promotions. These cars will be autonomised with autonomous racing stacks developed and integrated by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII). The sole variable lies in how each team utilises their coding skills, AI algorithms, and machine learning software development expertise to teach their cars how to drive. Currently recognised as the fastest open-wheel race car in the world after Formula One, these cars can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h.

For the first time, the race format is poised to feature four autonomous cars driving on the racetrack simultaneously – a feat never before attempted. In a series of pre-qualifying races, the finale will showcase the top performers from the Lap Test and Speed Test, advancing to a final Overtaking Challenge to determine the ultimate winner. Additionally, an AI vs Hum
an car race will unfold, with the TII embracing the electrifying challenge of pitting their autonomous car against former F1 driver – Daniil Kvyat. TII will aim to get as close as possible to the human lap time and will also demonstrate the autonomous car’s ability to drive without GPS assistance.

Faisal Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Secretary-General of the Advanced Technology Research Council – ASPIRE’s parent entity, said, “In pushing the boundaries of technology under extreme conditions, we uncover new frontiers in science. This reimagined racing paradigm harnesses the pinnacle of coding skills, AI algorithms, and software development prowess – the very skill sets of the future. By leveraging these capabilities, we pave a path at the forefront of research and development, propelling Abu Dhabi to become a pivotal global hub for innovation.”

ADNOC has come on board as title sponsor, providing crucial support, and under
scoring the widespread enthusiasm for advancing autonomous racing technology.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, said, “As we navigate the path to UAE’s industrial future, our commitment to in-country value and technological advancement stands unwavering. A2RL epitomises our dedication to integrating cutting-edge technology including AI, driving competitiveness and economic growth across sectors. For decades, ADNOC has invested in the latest technology and innovation – from the control room, to the boardroom – to deliver the modern energy that powers our lives.”

Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, organiser of A2RL, said, “A2RL is more than just a race – it’s a platform for testing and optimising autonomous vehicle technologies, enhancing safety and reliability on public roads. With the support of local and international partners, we’re bringing the mobility future – closer.”

The inaugural A2RL event is part of Abu Dhabi Mo
bility Week, running from 24th April to 1st May.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: The UAE national under-17 football team won the gold medal at the 1st Youth GCC Games “UAE 2024”.

The Omani team came in second, winning the silver medal, while Kuwait finished third, with bronze.

The trophy came after the UAE defeated Kuwait 2-0 today, in the third round of the competitions, held at the Al Nahyan Stadium at Al Wahda Club, Abu Dhabi.

Source: Emirates News Agency