Saudi Arabia pledges support for global youth development, sports

SAOC President Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal at the signing of the MoU with United Through Sports group. (Supplied)
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Updated 08 October 2020
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Saudi Arabia pledges support for global youth development, sports

  • Saudi Olympic committee signs 2-year MoU with United Through Sports group

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday pledged to play its part in international efforts to promote youth development and healthy lifestyles through sports.

President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee (SAOC), Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, made the commitment at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with president of United Through Sports (UTS) and the Alliance of Independent Recognized Members of Sport (AIMS), Stephan Fox.

The two-year MoU, inked at the SAOC’s headquarters at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex in Riyadh, will focus on the development of humankind internationally, the promotion of sports and active lifestyles, and the youth development movement around the world.

It will also cover information sharing, including academic and professional resources and documents, and events hosting with a working team established by both parties carrying out cooperation projects identified in the MoU.

Prince Abdul Aziz said: “The memorandum aims to promote and develop an active lifestyle and sports, exchange information, resources, and academic and professional documents, participate in the various events hosted by the two parties, and develop practical relations between them.

“The signing of the memorandum comes in the belief of the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two sides in the areas of common interests, developing sports and the youth development movement locally and around the world, and implementing programs and activities that help spread the culture of sports in Saudi society in a way that contributes to advancing the sports sector forward in accordance with the Kingdom’s 2030 vision,” he added.

Fox said: “Now more than ever, we must stand in unity and solidarity with a united mission for the youth. We must promote inclusion, equality, nondiscrimination, and peace.

“On the United Through Sports platform, everybody is equal. United through the power of sports we shall create opportunity, give hope, and bring smiles to our youth.

“I look forward to working with the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee and can only echo the words of His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal. We are serious about sport and we are serious about the future,” he added.


Liverpool rocked by last-gasp defeat at Wolves

Updated 04 March 2026
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Liverpool rocked by last-gasp defeat at Wolves

  • Liverpool’s first defeat in five games in all competitions will raise fresh questions about Slot’s Anfield future

LONDON: Liverpool suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at Wolves as Andre’s stoppage-time strike sealed a dramatic victory for the Premier League’s bottom club on Tuesday.
Arne Slot’s side fell behind to Rodrigo Gomes’ strike in the closing stages at Molineux.
Mohamed Salah hauled Liverpool level with his first goal in 11 top-flight games dating back to November.
But Andre’s first goal for Wolves inflicted the latest humbling loss in a chastening season for Liverpool.
It was the first time the Premier League’s bottom club had beaten the reigning champions since Crystal Palace defeated Chelsea in 2017.
Liverpool have conceded 14 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, with only Newcastle shipping more in the same period in the Premier League.
The Reds remain fifth but their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League have been hurt by a defeat that means sixth-placed Chelsea will go above them if they beat Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Liverpool’s first defeat in five games in all competitions will raise fresh questions about Slot’s Anfield future.
This was the first of Liverpool’s two trips to Molineux in the space of four days, with an immediate chance for revenge in the FA Cup fifth round on Friday.
Slot this week said he no longer finds Premier League matches a “joy to watch” due to the rise in set-piece goals, and Liverpool supporters took no pleasure from this dismal performance.
Wolves and Liverpool fans joined in a sustained round of applause on 18 minutes in memory of Diogo Jota, who wore that shirt number during his time at Molineux before joining the Reds.
Portugal forward Jota died in a car crash in Spain last year.

Crest-fallen Slot

That emotional tribute seemed to suck the energy from both teams in a scrappy first half.
Liverpool were punished for their lethargy in the 78th minute.
Tolu Arokodare got away with a nudge on Virgil van Dijk to win the ball before playing a superb pass to Rodrigo Gomes, who held off Ibrahima Konate and guided a clinical finish past Alisson Becker.
Liverpool finally awoke from their slumber after that shock, grabbing an equalizer in the 83rd minute with a helping hand from Wolves.
Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was guilty of a woeful pass that Salah intercepted, racing into the area for a shot that eluded Jose Sa’s weak attempted save.
Salah has scored just eight goals — five in the league — during a turbulent season.
Liverpool were still creaky at the back and Andre pounced on Alisson’s poor clearance four minutes to steal the points in stoppage-time.
Andre’s powerful strike deflected off Liverpool defender Joe Gomez and looped over the wrong-footed Alisson as Wolves boss Rob Edwards sprinted down the touchline in a wild celebration while Slot looked on crestfallen.
Wolves are 11 points from safety with eight games left and relegation remains almost certain despite this memorable victory.
Everton ended their dismal home form and pushed Burnley closer to relegation with a 2-0 win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Buoyed by their 3-2 win at Newcastle last weekend, Everton dispatched second-bottom Burnley with their first win in eight home league matches.
Former Burnley defender James Tarkowski put Everton in front with a powerful header from James Garner’s 32nd minute free-kick.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall doubled Everton’s advantage on the hour taking Iliman Ndiaye’s pass and clipping a composed finish past Martin Dubravka from six yards.
Everton remain in contention for a European berth, while Burnley are eight points from safety with just nine games left.
Habib Diarra’s penalty fired Sunderland to a 1-0 victory against Leeds on their first Premier League visit to Elland Road since 2002.
Bournemouth and Brentford shared a goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium that did little to improve either side’s hopes of qualifying for Europe.