Sports minister launches Saudi Games, Kingdom’s largest sporting event

Saudi Arabia’s newly appointed sports minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal announced the launch of the Saudi Games on Wednesday. (Twitter: @GSAKSA)
Short Url
Updated 26 February 2020
Follow

Sports minister launches Saudi Games, Kingdom’s largest sporting event

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s newly appointed sports minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal announced the launch of the Saudi Games on Wednesday, a new competition that will start on March 24.

At a launch event in Riyadh, the prince said the event will be open to both men and women and added that more than 6,000 athletes from 13 of the Kingdom’s regions are expected to participate.

The theme of the event will be “Heroes Amongst Us,” Prince Abdul Aziz said.

The event will feature 40 games with the participation of 35 sports federations in 18 venues within Riyadh.

The prince said: “It is a new, happy day that brings with it a new sporting event to be added to the myriad of events organized or hosted by the Kingdom in its history and in the last three years in particular.

“All of this would not have been achieved without the unwavering care, attention and support accorded by King Salman and the crown prince to the sports sector,” he added.

Prizes of SAR1 million ($266,500) for each gold medal winner will be on offer, with SAR300,000 for a silver and SAR100,000 for a bronze.

"I am pleased to announce the launch of the first edition of the largest sporting event in the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Prince Abdul Aziz said.


Rabiot double lifts Milan after early scare at Como

Updated 16 January 2026
Follow

Rabiot double lifts Milan after early scare at Como

  • Milan are second in the standings on 43 points, three behind rivals Inter Milan and three clear of Napoli in third, while Como are sixth with 34 points

COMO, Italy: AC Milan came from behind to earn a 3-1 victory at Como on Thursday, with Adrien Rabiot scoring twice to keep the away side in the Serie ​A title race.
Milan are second in the standings on 43 points, three behind rivals Inter Milan and three clear of Napoli in third, while Como are sixth with 34 points.
Como made the brighter start and took the lead after 10 minutes when Marc-Oliver Kempf rose to head home a corner.
Despite the hosts controlling much of the first half, Milan struck ‌in stoppage ‌time as Christopher Nkunku calmly converted ‌from ⁠the ​penalty spot ‌after Kempf was penalized for pushing Rabiot.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan produced a series of strong saves to keep Como at bay after the break before Milan took the lead in the 55th minute when Rabiot knocked the ball in from close range.
Como were denied an equalizer as Nico Paz saw his effort from outside ⁠the box crash against the crossbar. Milan then sealed the win two minutes ‌from time when Rabiot caught the Como ‍defense off guard with a ‍low strike from distance that crept into the bottom corner.
“This ‍was a team victory, we showed our mentality,” Rabiot told DAZN after being named Man of the Match.
“We suffered a lot in the first half, but we talked during the break, came out with ​a different mentality, we all came out fighting for the three points.
“We gave something extra and I am ⁠very happy to score two goals, obviously, but above all I’m pleased with the mentality of the team.”
While Rabiot provided the goals, another Frenchman, goalkeeper Maignan, made his mark with a string of crucial saves.
“We knew that playing here would be difficult, we were well-prepared. We started a little sluggish and they scored, but we managed to keep the game open, and then all together started to play as a team,” Maignan said.
“We know these are great nights for Milan with an atmosphere like this. ‌We suffered, we used up a lot of energy and left it all on the field.”