JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has held the Kingdom’s first netball tournament onboard a cruise ship.
The event was held on the 4,500-passenger MSC Bellissima ship in the Red Sea. It was hosted by Saudi Netball, in collaboration with Sports for All and the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA).
The women-dominated sport is being promoted as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to increase women’s participation in sport as part of a healthy and active lifestyle, STA said.
“Netball is an ideal sport to introduce across schools in the Kingdom,” said Princess Ghada bint Abdullah, chairwoman of Netball Saudi, adding: “As a game, netball is inviting, accessible, encouraging, fun, and inclusive. Its game rules ensure the equal participation of all players on the court.”
She said that “in netball, everyone contributes equally to the success of the team, regardless of the individual role they play. It is the perfect expression of an inclusive society.”
Just two teams took part in the three-round tournament, which was held on Thursday and Friday. The 16 players ranging from 13-23 years old came from the Riyadh-based Golden Sports Academy.
“Inclusion, the diversification of sports, and accessibility to sporting activities are three key objectives that drive our efforts to develop the sport across Saudi’s communities,” said Prince Khalid bin Al-Waleed, chairman of the Sports for All Federation.
He said his organization “sees a sizeable opportunity to support the development of netball in Saudi Arabia.”
Netball Saudi is one of 16 sports federations and committees announced by the Saudi Olympic Committee in May, as part of the committee’s effort to widen the range of sports offered and the number of sporting communities in the Kingdom, STC said.
Saudi Arabia hosts Kingdom’s first netball tournament — onboard a cruise ship
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Saudi Arabia hosts Kingdom’s first netball tournament — onboard a cruise ship
- The tournament was held on the 4,500-passenger MSC Bellissima ship in the Red Sea
- Netball Saudi is one of 16 sports federations and committees announced by the Saudi Olympic Committee in May
Bangladesh board says ICC considering request to move their World Cup games from India
- Bangladesh cites security concerns amid strained ties with India as it seeks venue change for T20 World Cup matches
- ICC says it is engaging with Bangladesh board and reviewing request as part of tournament security planning
NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said on Wednesday that the sport’s global governing body, the International Cricket Council, is considering their request to move their Twenty20 World Cup matches out of India over safety concerns.
Amid fraught relations between the two countries, Indian Premier League (IPL) side Kolkata Knight Riders said at the weekend that the country’s cricket board (BCCI) had told them to drop Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman.
Bangladesh’s interim government has since banned broadcasts of the IPL, and the BCB have refused to play their World Cup matches in India, which is co-hosting the February 7 to March 8 event with Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play three World Cup matches in Kolkata next month.
“In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament,” the BCB said.
“The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the board’s inputs will be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the event.”
The ICC and Indian board did not immediately reply to requests for comment from Reuters.
Some media reports have suggested the ICC, which is headed by former Indian board chief Jay Shah, had told Bangladesh they must play in India or forfeit the matches.
However, the BCB said reports of such an ultimatum were “completely false” and that it would work with the ICC to arrive at a solution that ensures their successful participation.
Tensions have risen in recent weeks between India and Bangladesh.
Hundreds protested near Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi last month after a Hindu factory worker was beaten and set on fire in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district over allegations he insulted the Prophet Muhammad.
