Bafetimbi Gomis says he is ‘lucky’ to play for Al Hilal, targets Saudi title win

Al-Hilal’s star forward Bafetimbi Gomis said he is “lucky” to be playing for the Riyadh giants and that is as hungry as ever to win more titles for the club. (Supplied: SPL)
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Updated 11 February 2020
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Bafetimbi Gomis says he is ‘lucky’ to play for Al Hilal, targets Saudi title win

  • Gomis helped Al Hilal to glory in the Asian Champions League last season
  • Currently topping the SPL goal-scoring charts with 14 goals

LONDON: Al-Hilal’s star forward Bafetimbi Gomis said he is “lucky” to be playing for the Riyadh giants and that he is as hungry as ever to win more titles for the club.
Despite missing out on the Saudi Premier League (SPL) championship last season, Gomis helped Al Hilal to glory in the Asian Champions League, which they had last lifted in 2000.
The French striker has carried on his fine form this season, topping the goal-scoring charts with 14 goals which has helped the Blue Waves to the league summit.

 


But reclaiming the title is the target for Gomis and Al-Hilal this season.
“The most important (thing) is to be champions,” said the 34-year-old, who is in his second season with the Riyadh club.
“I score a lot of goals because I’m lucky to play for this club and I have amazing teammates during the training and also outside the pitch we have a very good spirit, we have many challenges between us, and we are very ambitious for the future,” he added.

 




Al-Hilal’s star forward Bafetimbi Gomis said he is “lucky” to be playing for the Riyadh giants and that is as hungry as ever to win more titles for the club. (Supplied: SPL)

Gomis credited the club’s fans for helping him adjust to life in Saudi Arabia and said he hoped more international players and coaches would join the league in the future.
“My life in Saudi Arabia is amazing. The country has a wide culture and is a historic place, I’m very happy with my family here.
“(The) fans give me a lot of love and I appreciate it. I’d like to say ‘thank you’ to all the Saudis for the support every weekend,” he said.
“The atmosphere in the Saudi league is amazing and the league continues to improve with new players, good coaches and good facilities. I hope Saudi football will continue to improve.
“We are here to help the new generation and I hope one day the national team will have a good World Cup.”
Gomis reserved special praise for the derby game with Jeddah’s Al-Ittihad, saying it had a unique appeal.
“In our game against Al-Ittihad, the stadium is very big, and the atmosphere and fans are amazing. It is always a good game because of the talent on the pitch,” he said.
“I have played at the highest level, (including) Champions League, World Cup and Euros but every place in football is different and you have to learn.”


LIV Golf Hong Kong dates announced as event leadership reaffirms commitment to the region

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LIV Golf Hong Kong dates announced as event leadership reaffirms commitment to the region

  • Fourth edition to take place Feb. 18-21, 2027, at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling
  • Scott O’Neil: Hong Kong is a cornerstone of our international calendar and an important gateway for golf’s continued growth in Asia

HONG KONG: LIV Golf today announced the dates for HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong 2027, which will return for its fourth edition from Feb. 18-21, continuing its long-term commitment to the region and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as one of Asia’s premier destinations for global sport and entertainment.

The announcement was made during a press conference at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling by Scott O’Neil, LIV Golf CEO; Andrea de Vincentiis, HSBC managing director and global head of brand partnerships; and Andy Kwok, Hong Kong Golf Club captain.

The 2027 dates align the tournament within Hong Kong’s vibrant calendar of major international events and reinforce a sustained multi-year partnership between LIV Golf, HSBC, the Hong Kong SAR Government and Hong Kong Golf Club.

HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong will continue to be an “M” Mark event in 2027, helping promote Hong Kong as a center for international sports events. The “M” Mark status, awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolizes signature events in the territory’s sports calendar.

Ticket holders for this week’s event, which takes place Thursday, March 5, through Sunday, March 8, will have exclusive early access to specially priced 2027 tickets beginning this Sunday at LIVGolf.com. Organizers thanked the Hong Kong Tourism Board for the continued event support, including planning and promotion.

O’Neil said: “Hong Kong is a cornerstone of our international calendar and an important gateway for golf’s continued growth in Asia. As the world’s golf league, LIV Golf is committed to investing in dynamic markets like Hong Kong, where sport, entertainment and culture are celebrated and recognized on a global scale.

“Announcing our 2027 event a year in advance is a testament to the local support and momentum building in Hong Kong. I want to thank our partners at HSBC, the HKSAR Government, and Hong Kong Golf Club, who all share in our vision to grow the game and continue delivering a world-class event that connects with fans of all ages and brings significant economic impact to the region.”

De Vincentiis said: “HSBC has supported golf globally for more than 20 years, and our partnership with LIV Golf represents a natural evolution of that legacy. It reflects both our international network and our long-standing commitment to Hong Kong.

“HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong showcases the city to a global audience while contributing to the growth of the game across Asia. We are proud to continue our support to an event that aligns with our ambitions internationally and within this great community.”

Kwok said: “Established in 1889, Hong Kong Golf Club has a proud history of hosting world-class tournaments. We understand the responsibility that comes with staging global competition at this level.

“LIV Golf has brought new energy and new audiences to Fanling, while respecting the traditions of the game. We are proud to continue welcoming the league and its players to one of Asia’s most historic venues.”

Since its debut in Hong Kong in 2024, the tournament has produced memorable moments and showcased elite competition at one of Asia’s most respected championship venues.

Across its 14-event global schedule, LIV Golf events have generated more than $1 billion in economic impact for host cities worldwide, supporting tourism, hospitality and local communities while delivering international broadcast reach of over 900 million.

The 2026 edition takes place this week at Hong Kong Golf Club, featuring a 57-player international field competing across four days.