جراحة ناجحة لـ «الخيارين» بالسعودية

أجرى الأب الروحي لكرة اليد بنادي الريان، علي بن سعيد الخيارين، عملية جراحية ناجحة في المملكة العربية السعودية، تكللت بالنجاح ولله الحمد، وهو يتلقى حاليًا الرعاية الطبية اللازمة ويقضي فترة نقاهة على سرير الشفاء لعدة أيام، قبل عودته إلى الدوحة الأسبوع المقبل بإذن الله.
وأعرب الخيارين عن بالغ شكره وتقديره لكل من تواصل معه هاتفيًا أو حرص على الاطمئنان على صحته خلال فترة العلاج، مؤكدًا أن ما وجده من اهتمام ومحبة صادقة من مختلف فئات المجتمع الرياضي والقطري كان له بالغ الأثر في رفع معنوياته وتسريع تعافيه.
وخص الخيارين بالشكر سعادة الشيخ سعود بن علي آل ثاني رئيس الاتحاد الدولي لكرة السلة، إلى جانب الشيوخ وكبار الرياضيين في دولة قطر، وأسرة كرة اليد القطرية بمختلف أنديتها ومنتسبي الاتحاد، وعدد من وجهاء الدولة والشخصيات الرياضية والاجتماعية الذين حرصوا على السؤال والمتابعة.
كما تقدم بالشكر إلى رئيس الاتحاد العربي السابق محمد المطرود، ورئيس الاتحاد الآسيوي بدر ذياب، وجميع محبي كرة اليد في الدول العربية وعدد من الدول الأجنبية الذين تواصلوا معه للاطمئنان على حالته الصحية.
وأشاد الخيارين بالمواقف النبيلة التي وجدها من أصدقائه ومحبيه، مثمنًا بصورة خاصة حضور عدد من أبناء نادي الريان إلى مقر المستشفى في المملكة العربية السعودية للاطمئنان عليه قبل العملية الجراحية وبعدها، مؤكدًا أن هذه اللفتة الأخوية تعكس عمق العلاقات الإنسانية التي تجمع أبناء النادي الواحد.

Active Summer will feature mall races to kids programmes to snow sports Dubai is turning up the heat on summer fitness with the launch of a major new sporting initiative designed to keep residents moving all season long, regardless of the temperature outside. The Dubai Sports Council (DSC) has announced the launch of “Active Summer”, […] afnews.co.za

The post Dubai launches Active Summer initiative with indoor and outdoor sports appeared first on What's On.

Doha: The Arab national teams competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be counting on a host of standout players, as these stars aim to make their mark and deliver eye-catching performances during the tournament, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

With the start of the global showpiece drawing near, the eight Arab teams have intensified their preparations following the end of the domestic football season. The spotlight is now firmly on the world's biggest football event, with hopes that many of these players will shine on the international stage.

The upcoming edition of the FIFA World Cup will mark a historic milestone for Arab football, with a record eight Arab national teams qualifying for the finals. This unprecedented achievement comes in the first expanded version of the tournament, which will feature 48 teams for the first time in World Cup history.

Fans across the Arab world are placing their hopes on a number of star players for the upcoming competition. The objective is no longer simply to qualify for the finals, but also to make a strong impression against the world's top footballing talent.

In what will be its second World Cup appearance - and its first through the qualification process - the Qatari national team will be relying heavily on Akram Afif, the star player of Al Sadd SC. Afif has become one of the key pillars of Al Annabi thanks to his outstanding performances over the past few seasons.

After contributing to Qatar's back-to-back AFC Asian Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023, Akram Afif will be aiming to leave his mark on the World Cup by scoring his first goal in the tournament, as Qatar competes in Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A two-time winner of the AFC Player of the Year award, Afif enters the tournament backed by an impressive record of achievements with the Qatari national team, in addition to his outstanding statistics and numerous titles with Al Sadd SC.

During his international career with the senior national team, Afif played 126 matches, during which he scored 40 goals in various competitions. He now hopes to leave his mark on the upcoming World Cup by netting his first goal in the tournament, after Qatar managed just one goal in its maiden World Cup appearance in 2022, scored by Mohammed Muntari.

For the Moroccan national team, Achraf Hakimi is preparing for his third World Cup appearance, having previously featured at the 2018 tournament in Russia and the 2022 edition in Qatar. The full-back heads into the competition after two outstanding seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, during which he helped the club secure back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles.

Hakimi has an impressive record with the Moroccan national team, making 95 international appearances and scoring 11 goals across all competitions. He has also enjoyed great success at club level, helping his teams win the UEFA Champions League three times, including once with his former club, Real Madrid.

After playing a key role in Morocco's historic fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Hakimi will be aiming to help the national team make another deep run in the 2026 tournament, backed by a talented core of players in the starting lineup.

Mohamed Salah heads into the FIFA World Cup with the Egyptian national team boasting an outstanding record of domestic and continental achievements, highlighted by his successful spell with his former club, Liverpool, where he won the UEFA Champions League.

Salah, who officially parted ways with Liverpool at the end of the recently concluded season, is preparing for his second World Cup appearance after making his tournament debut at the 2018 edition in Russia. He will be hoping to play a pivotal role in guiding Egypt to the knockout stages for the first time in the nation's history.

Mohamed Salah has played 113 matches for the Egyptian national team, scoring 65 goals in all competitions, making him one of the most successful Arab footballers at both club and international level.

Salah is Egypt's second-highest all-time scorer with 67 goals, behind current head coach Hossam Hassan, and ranks seventh for most international appearances. Egyptian fans will be counting on him to help the team reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time.

Doha, Qatar: For a long time, Meshaal Barsham was the undisputed presence between the posts for Qatar. As one of the heroes of the country’s Asian Cup 2023 triumph, the goalkeeper’s place rarely came under discussion.

Now, with the FIFA World Cup only days away, Mahmoud Abunada has emerged as Julen Lopetegui’s preferred option in goal and appears set to carry Qatar’s hopes into the biggest tournament of his career.

The 26-year-old arrives in North America on the back of a breakthrough season. He helped Al Rayyan lift the QSL Cup and Gulf Club Champions League titles, earned the Qatar Football Association’s Best Goalkeeper of the Season award and strengthened his position in the national team with assured displays in recent friendlies against Ireland and El Salvador.

For Abunada, however, the journey to this point carries a significance that goes beyond trophies and individual recognition.

“Honestly, it’s an indescribable feeling, a national joy, a country’s joy,” Abunada said while reflecting on Qatar’s historic qualification for the World Cup.

“InshaAllah, we can perform at our best in the World Cup.”

Qatar secured their place at the tournament by overcoming the United Arab Emirates in a tense qualifier at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, a victory that sealed the country’s first-ever qualification through the competitive route.

Abunada still remembers how his own national team story began.

“My first call-up was in 2020. I was 20 years old. My family and I were sitting together when suddenly the squad list was posted on social media,” he said.

“Honestly, it’s an indescribable feeling. Representing the national team is a huge thing in my career.”

The goalkeeper’s path started at Al Arabi, where he progressed through the club’s youth ranks before making his professional debut in 2019. Since then, he has steadily developed into one of the country’s leading goalkeepers.

Behind that rise, he says, has been the support of his family.

“Maybe the stage I’ve reached is thanks to my parents’ prayers,” he said.

“My father, may Allah have mercy on him, passed away last year. I wish he could be with me in these moments.”

Drawn in Group B, Al Annabi open their campaign against Switzerland on June 13 before facing co-hosts Canada in the early hours of June 19 Qatar time and Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 24. Switzerland enter the tournament as group favourites, while Canada will enjoy home support.

Yet Qatar believe they are better prepared than they were during their home World Cup four years ago.

“There is nothing easy in the World Cup,” Abunada said.

“Reaching this stage means you are among the best in the world. In football there is no such thing as an easy group or a difficult group. We have to give all our energy on the pitch.”

Qatar’s target is clear. After exiting the 2022 World Cup at the group stage, Al Annabi are determined to reach the knockout rounds for the first time.

Competition for places has intensified under Lopetegui, and Abunada credits the Spanish coach for pushing players to improve.

“The coach always tries to keep me away from the comfort zone in order to motivate me,” he said.

“I always tell myself to give my absolute best in every training session as if it were my last.”

That approach has helped Abunada move from a promising goalkeeper into a player trusted with one of the most demanding roles in the team.

When Qatar begin their World Cup campaign, the goalkeeper knows expectations will be high. It is a responsibility he embraces.

“When you grow up as a passionate fan and then become a footballer, you dream of playing even for just one minute to try to help the national team and help your country,” he said.

“I hope I can represent my country in the best possible way.”

Abunada also knows Qatar will not be facing the challenge alone. He pointed to the impact supporters had during the decisive victory over the UAE and believes their backing can again make a difference.

“The fans are the ones who bring out the very best in a player,” he said.

“We saw in the UAE match they played a huge role in changing the course of the game and creating pressure. Their happiness means a lot to us.

“I thank all the fans and, InshaAllah, we will make you proud in every match.”

Madrid: Florentino Perez has been re-elected president of Real Madrid by an overwhelming majority, paving the way for Jose Mourinho to return as manager.

The 79-year-old Perez, president for 23 years across two spells, took 65 percent of the votes to vanquish his 37-year-old challenger, Enrique Riquelme, the club announced late Sunday.

"We have won the elections and will continue working to keep winning titles," Perez said in his victory speech.

The result means Mourinho will be announced as Real Madrid's new manager as early as Monday.

The 63-year-old will return after last being in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu 13 years ago, with Madrid paying Mourinho's current club Benfica a reported 15 million euro ($17.25 million) release fee.

"We will continue to take pride in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, the best stadium in the world," Perez said.

"Proud to have the best players in the world, proud to welcome back one of the best coaches in the world, a Madridista like Jose Mourinho."

Mourinho first joined Real Madrid in 2010, spending three seasons at the club.

During his tenure he won one La Liga championship, one Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup during a period of fierce rivalry with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona.

Appointing the divisive Mourinho will be a gamble on the part of president Perez after Los Blancos finished without a major trophy in 2025/26 -- a second consecutive barren season.

"We will continue working so that Real Madrid keeps winning titles," said Perez.

"And we will fight until the end to achieve the 16th European Cup."

In a brief video shared on the official Instagram account of Perez's campaign last week, the Portuguese coach had appeared wearing a Real Madrid shirt and saying: "Yes."

Beaten candidate Riquelme for his part had pledged to sign Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland if he won.

Real Madrid is owned entirely by members who elect the president.

"Rest assured," said Perez. "With me as president, Real Madrid has been, is, and will always remain owned by its members."