Saudi tournaments crucial for women’s golf momentum, says LET chief

1,000 Saudi women and girls signed up for the Ladies First Club during the first Saudi Ladies International last year. (Golf Saudi)
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Updated 02 November 2021
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Saudi tournaments crucial for women’s golf momentum, says LET chief

  • The history-making Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund returns this month
  • The inaugural event credited with inspiring thousands of Saudi women to try golf

JEDDAH: Women’s golf in Saudi Arabia needs to keep building on its massive momentum, according to Ladies European Tour chief executive officer Alex Armas.

Armas was speaking ahead of the return of the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund from Nov. 4 to 7. The tournament made history last year as the first professional women’s sport event to be staged in Saudi Arabia.

The individual event helped restart the LET season, which had come to a complete halt during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, impacting its professional players. The tournament returns to Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City.

“The reaction we got last year blew everyone’s mind,” said Armas.

“We didn’t think we were going to get the interest we did from it being on live terrestrial TV within Saudi and the coverage it received. It just made sense to come back to do it again and to keep building on that and I think that is what we will be doing going forward. Golf Saudi has big plans for the women’s game. Although we’re only at the beginning, it’s been a fast trajectory.

“Last year golf stopped. Our players weren’t competing. We managed to get some momentum and we managed to have the first event in Jeddah with the Aramco Saudi Ladies International and as we had the players there, we did the back-to-back tournaments with the team event.

“We made history and I think we didn’t know what to expect when we went the first time, but now the players know, we know what the golf courses will be like, and what the hospitality will be like — everyone is looking forward to being back.”

The Aramco Team Series — Jeddah will follow from Nov. 10-12 at the same venue, for a doubleheader of LET-sanctioned events alongside Golf Saudi.

The success of the Aramco Team Series, which has taken place in London, Spain, and the US, has put a spotlight on the challenges of international women’s sport and addressing gender equality in golf.

Armas added: “There is a challenge in women’s sport. We don’t get the coverage of the men but there is a shift in that and the equality movement and the corporate companies are realizing there is an imbalance. We need to showcase them and their stories and incredible journeys. We still have a long way to go. People don’t realize what good athletes these women are and if they don’t get to see that they don’t understand that. They can compete. They are as good athletes as the men.”

Armas also referenced the importance of elite women’s sport being visible to inspire active participation in growing sporting markets such as Saudi Arabia. Last year’s events coincided with the launch of the Ladies First Club powered by Aramco — a free-golfing initiative that saw 1,200 women and girls register to learn the game over the tournament’s four days.

Armas said: “I think it’s hugely important because across the globe, we need to get the population more active and involved in sports.

“I think the best way to do that is obviously through live sports on TV and for people to be able to become inspired by these athletes and look up to them as role models. Having so many sporting events of the quality that Saudi is bringing to the Kingdom will be hugely important to growing participation in various sports. The amount of people that signed up for the Ladies First Club and the amount of positive feedback was immense.”

Tickets for both tournaments at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City are available now, free of charge.

For more information, visit www.aramcoteamseries.com


New York Knicks take on Indiana Pacers in NBA 2025 Eastern Conference finals

Updated 14 sec ago
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New York Knicks take on Indiana Pacers in NBA 2025 Eastern Conference finals

  • Teams meet in playoffs for 2nd-successive season; Pacers won in 7 games at the semi-final stage last year

DUBAi: Beginning on Wednesday, New York and Indiana will meet in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference playoffs for a second straight season as they continue to put a modern twist on a classic NBA rivalry.

This season, they face each other in the conference final; last year, the Pacers defeated the Knicks in seven games at the semi-final stage, rallying from series deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 along the way.

The drama was reminiscent of matchups from a generation ago, when the teams faced each other in the playoffs six times in the space of eight years between 1993 and 2000. During that time Patrick Ewing of the Knicks and Reggie Miller of the Pacers went head-to-head in one thriller after another, helping to define a decade of NBA competition.

• Opportunity knocks: The most recent appearances by the teams in the NBA Finals came 26 years ago for New York and 25 years ago for Indiana. In both cases, one of them beat the other in the conference finals: In 1999, the Knicks defeated the Pacers during a historic run to the Finals as No. 8 seeds.

The following season, Indiana got the better of New York to reach the championship showdown for the first (and still the only) time in franchise history.

The Knicks’ appearance in the conference finals this year is their first since that series defeat by the Pacers in 2000.

• Marquee matchup: Two-time NBA All-Stars Jalen Brunson of New York and Tyrese Haliburton of Indiana will square off in a battle of ascendant point guards who are at their best in the biggest moments.

Brunson’s barrage of late-game buckets and Haliburton’s pair of game-winning shots have been key features of the 2025 playoffs so far. Both players, who helped jump-start their respective franchises upon arrival a few years ago, are now just a step away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time.

• Winning ways: After a sluggish 10-15 start to the season, the Pacers have been dominant over the past five months, with a 40-17 finish to the regular season, and five-game playoff-series victories over the 2020-21 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks and the 64-win, top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.

A relentlessly fast-paced offense, much-improved defense and impressive depth have helped Indiana become the first team ranked No. 4 seed or lower to advance to the conference finals in back-to-back seasons under the current playoff format, which has been in place since 1984.

With almost the same team rotation as they had last season, under the guidance of championship-winning head coach Rick Carlisle, the Pacers have perfected their distinctive style of play.

• Step forward: After back-to-back Eastern Conference semi-finals appearances in the previous two seasons, the Knicks have taken the next step by reaching the finals for the first time in 25 years. They did so with a retooled roster after acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, who joined Brunson, O.G. Anunoby and Josh Hart in a superb starting lineup.

A 4-2 series victory over defending NBA champions the Boston Celtics in the semi-finals has given New York a chance to avenge last season’s playoff defeat by Indiana.

• Snappy comebacks: Both Indiana and New York have shown strong resolve this season by repeatedly erasing big deficits to win playoff games. In the first two rounds, the Pacers won three games in which they trailed by 19 points or more, making them the first team to record at least three 19-point playoff comebacks in a single season since 1998.

The Knicks, meanwhile, rallied from a 20-point deficit in each of their first two games against the Celtics, and a 14-point deficit on the way to another victory.

Clearly, no lead is safe against these two resilient teams.

• Halfway home: Eight more victories would give the Pacers their first-ever NBA championship appearance, and the Knicks their first in 52 years.

Indiana won three ABA championships before joining the NBA in 1976. New York claimed their two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973.

• Friendly foes: The head-to-head matchup between Pascal Siakam of Indiana and New York’s Anunoby, standout forwards and former longtime teammates, could go a long way in determining the series winner.

The two spent seven seasons together with the Toronto Raptors, helped the franchise win the 2019 NBA championship before both were traded in the middle of last season. Siakam earned his third NBA All-Star selection this season, and Anunoby has had his best scoring season to complement his stellar defense.

• Talk of the Towns: In back-to-back seasons, Karl-Anthony Towns has helped two franchises end decades-long droughts without a conference finals appearance: the Minnesota Timberwolves last season (for the first time in 20 years) and the Knicks this season.

With his first NBA Finals in sight, the five-time NBA All-Star will take on another highly skilled big man, Indiana’s Myles Turner, who is also eyeing his first NBA Finals appearance as he completes his 10th season with the Pacers.


Klopp to Roma could be a rumor created by amateur sleuths

Updated 20 May 2025
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Klopp to Roma could be a rumor created by amateur sleuths

  • The rumor of his imminent arrival stems from a social media post
  • Roma owner the Friedkin Group posted a video on Friday celebrating the capital club and its legacy

ROME: Roma fans have been driven into a frenzy by Italian media reports that Jürgen Klopp has agreed to be the team coach from next season.

However, the rumor of his imminent arrival stems from a social media post that some may be reading far too much into.

Roma owner the Friedkin Group posted a video on Friday celebrating the capital club and their legacy.


The video included images of iconic Rome sites: Colosseum (Kolosseum in German), Lupa Capitolina, Olimpico, (St.) Peter’s and Pantheon in that order.

Someone pointed out the starting letters of those words — some in Italian, some in German, some omitting part of the name — spell Klopp. And it spiralled from there.

In the past two days, people on social media have been saying they have spotted former Liverpool coach Klopp, his agent and even his dog in Rome.

Italian newspaper La Stampa proclaimed that Klopp accepted Roma’s offer shortly after the Giallorossi’s final home match of the season on Sunday, when a packed Stadio Olimpico paid tribute to current coach Claudio Ranieri, who is set to depart at the end of the season.

Other media outlets picked up La Stampa’s story, but the same newspaper said on Tuesday that Roma have “categorically denied” the news.

Klopp, who is Red Bull’s head of global soccer, left Liverpool in 2024 after steering the team to seven major trophies over nearly nine years.

The Friedkin Group also owns Liverpool’s city rival, Everton.


‘I’m not a clown’: Spurs boss Postecoglou hits out ahead of Europa League final

Updated 20 May 2025
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‘I’m not a clown’: Spurs boss Postecoglou hits out ahead of Europa League final

  • Postecoglou said he had not addressed his future with his players because it would not be “helpful“
  • “I’ve said to the lads from day one, nothing is guaranteed in life, nothing is guaranteed in sport”

BILBAO, Spain: Ange Postecoglou angrily defended his managerial record ahead of Tottenham’s Europa League final against Manchester United after a disastrous Premier League season, stating: “I’m not a clown.”

Spurs face United in Bilbao on Wednesday with a chance to win their first trophy for 17 years, which would mean qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Postecoglou, whose side are 17th in the Premier League — a place below United — has been under mounting pressure over recent months as results have nosedived.

Many observers believe the Spurs manager could be out of a job regardless of the result at the San Mames stadium in northern Spain against Ruben Amorim’s fellow strugglers.

Postecoglou was asked at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday whether he was aware he was walking a fine line between infamy and history ahead of the match.

“That depends on your outlook but I’ll tell you one thing — irrespective of tomorrow, I’m not a clown, I never will be mate,” he said, directly addressing a reporter who had used the word in an article.

“It’s really disappointing that you use such terminology about a person who for 26 years, without any favors from anyone, who’s worked his way to being in a position where he’s leading out a club in a European major competition, for you to suggest that somehow us not being successful means that I’m a clown.”

The former Australia and Celtic boss said he had worked tirelessly to turn things around at Spurs, who have not won a trophy since 2008 and have not tasted European success since 1984.

“I’ve tried as hard as I can to stick to that process in getting the club to a position where they can challenge for trophies and at the same time, rejuvenate the squad and change the playing style,” he said.

“It has been a fair assignment with plenty of challenges along the way.

“With such a big game tomorrow, there is an opportunity to fulfil at least the main task I was given which was to bring trophies to the club.”

Postecoglou said he had not addressed his future with his players because it would not be “helpful.”

“I’ve said to the lads from day one, nothing is guaranteed in life, nothing is guaranteed in sport. You’ve just got to try and make sure you take every opportunity before you and that’s what I’ve done my whole career,” he added.

“I’ve been in this position before, where the big game was the last game I managed. It’s not unusual territory for me.”

He said: “My future is assured. I wouldn’t be the first person who changes jobs. We all change jobs. I’m sure you’ve had more than one job. My future is assured. I’ve got a beautiful family, I’ve got a great life.

“I’ll keep on winning trophies until I finish, wherever that is. Don’t worry about my future mate.”

But the 59-year-old feels he still has a job to do at Spurs, who finished fifth in the Premier League in his first season in charge, in 2023/24.

“I really feel like we’re building something and what a trophy does is hopefully accelerates that,” he said.

“So I still think there’s a lot of work to be done. That’s quite obvious with the challenges we’ve had this year, but also there’s been some growth that I’d like to see through.”

Postecoglou confirmed that Lucas Bergvall would not be fit to face United. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are also out.

But Pape Matar Sarr is available after he was taken off in the 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa on Friday.


Thailand win ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier

Updated 20 May 2025
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Thailand win ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier

  • Thailand beat Nepal by 78 runs in the final match of the Super 3 stage of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier

The final match of the Super 3 stage of the ICC Asia Women’s T20 Qualifier for the 2026 World Cup saw Thailand face Nepal on May 20th in Bangkok. Both teams had already progressed to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier by virtue of defeating the UAE in the Super Three stage. Therefore, the prize was to become overall winners of the tournament.

Prior to the match, Indu Barma, the captain of Nepal, talked of Nepal’s long journey, stretching back 17 years. She noted that reaching the Global Qualifier will represent their first time of playing on the world stage.

In December 2008, Nepal played in the Asia Cricket Council’s (ACC) U19 Women’s Championship held in Chiang Mai, where the team won every match, including victories over Thailand in the semifinals and Malaysia in the final. It looked as though Nepal was about to dominate associate women’s cricket in Asia.

It was not to be, largely because Thailand won the 2013 ACC Women’s Championship in Chiang Mai, thereby qualifying for the Global Qualifier for the first time, traveling to Ireland later that year. Since then, Thailand has played in each Qualifier, even making it to the T20 World Cup held in Australia in 2020.

Over that time, the UAE has made steady progress, reaching three global qualifiers. Defeats to both Thailand and Nepal in Bangkok have put an end to hopes of a reaching fourth and is a real setback for them. They were well beaten in both matches of the Super 3.

In the first match, Thailand scored 144 for 5 in 20 overs. Nattaya Boochatham laid the base with a patient 49, whilst Natthakan Chantham hit powerfully to post an unbeaten 46 from 20 balls. Nannapat Khonchaeronkai gave further impetus to the innings with 39, Thailand scored 98 in the second half of the innings.

UAE lost wickets from the start, falling to 39 for four in the ninth over. Heena Hotchandani’s 32 took UAE to 90 for 5 in 20 overs, 54 runs short, as Thipatcha Putthawong claimed 2 for 27.

In the second match, the following day, Nepal asked UAE to bat first. Esha Oza made sure UAE preserved their wickets in the first half of the innings, a sound strategy at this level, but she was out at the crucial time for a run a ball thirty-nine, as left-arm spinner, Manisha Upadhayay, took the first of her four wickets.

A total of 114 for 7 looked to be a little light, especially as the UAE’s bowlers fought hard to reduce Nepal to 62 for 4 in the 13th over. Then, Rubina Chhetry, who has played throughout the last seventeen years, joined the current captain, Indu Barna. In a determined partnership, as rain threatened to fall, their experience guided Nepal to 99 for six, when Chhetry was out. It was left to Barma to guide the team to a five-wicket win with only three deliveries to spare.

Nepal’s delight was the UAE’s heartbreak. The only question which remained in the tournament was could Nepal also beat the powerful Thailand side that had been dominant for the past decade and more?

Nattaya Boochatham has been one of the players at the heart of Thailand’s success with both bat and ball. Younger players, such as her opening partner, Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, are being introduced. She helped Thailand reach 34 in the powerplay as they again tried to establish a solid base. It was not until the thirteenth over that Aphisara was out for 29 in an opening partnership of 75.

Boochatham reached her second fifty in T20Is from 40 balls and Nannapat Khoncharoenkai started well as Thailand were 98 for 1 off fifteen overs. Khonchcharoenkai hit a trio of boundaries before Boochatham was caught at deep mid-wicket, Thailand losing a second wicket on 111.

Twelve runs were added in the 17th and 18th overs. Khoncharoenkai hit another pair of boundaries in the 19th over to move on to 48 and, after Natthakan Chantam hit two fours, Khoncharoenkai reached her seventh T20I fifty in 28 balls. The final total was 158 for 2, which is Thailand’s third best in T20Is.

Although eleven runs were scored off the first over, Nepal never got to grips with the chase, falling to 16 for 2 after four overs. This situation worsened when Onnicha Kamchomphu bowled the Nepal captain, Indu Barna. A score of 30 for three became 34 for four and 54 for five after fifteen overs. In the nineteenth over, Kamchomphu broke the back of Nepal’s innings with a hat-trick, culminating in impressive figures of four for eleven in four overs. Despite resistance from Rubina Chhetry, Nepal scored only 80 for the loss of nine wickets after 20 overs.

Throughout the tournament Thailand reasserted its superiority. Nannapat Khoncharoenkai was named player of the match for her brilliant fifty and she also won the player of the tournament award. Thiphatcha Putthawong was given the bowler of the tournament award with eight wickets and Esha Osha was awarded the batter of the tournament award with 175 runs.

Osha was disappointed with her dismissal in the match against Nepal, as a few more runs scored by the UAE may have been too many for Nepal to chase successfully. She felt the loss to Nepal had wasted two years of cricket for the UAE. This is likely to be only a temporary setback. Nepal’s never give up attitude should be a lesson to all.

UAE will have ODI cricket to look forward to for the first time. The countries ranked between twelve and sixteen at this level in the world rankings all want to play 50-over cricket and the UAE will have further opportunities to play more competitive T20 cricket as well. Osha is a fine player at this level and should be able to lead UAE to renewed success in women’s cricket. There is much to look forward to for each of the Super 3 teams.


Golf Saudi brings free GoGolf coaching to South Korea at Aramco Korea Championship

Updated 20 May 2025
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Golf Saudi brings free GoGolf coaching to South Korea at Aramco Korea Championship

  • The initiative was run alongside the $2 million Aramco Korea Championship

SEOUL: Golf Saudi’s grassroots coaching initiative, GoGolf, made its international debut in South Korea this month, offering free golf lessons to more than 300 children and Saudi expats during the Aramco Korea Championship.

The initiative was run alongside the $2 million Aramco Korea Championship, part of the new-look PIF Global Series, held at New Korea Country Club from May 9 to 11.

At the tournament, Czech golfer Sara Kouskova led her team to victory, while home favourite Kim Hyo-joo clinched the individual title after three days of play.

Away from the competition, Golf Saudi delivered three days of onsite coaching clinics as part of its GoGolf program, aimed at introducing new players to the game. Sessions took place on the tournament driving range and were led by Golf Saudi coaches and brand ambassadors.

“At Golf Saudi we are passionate about bringing more and more people into the game we love, helping it continue to grow both in Saudi Arabia and around the world,” said Muath Al-Alsheikh, program manager at GoGolf.

“We know that means enabling access and breaking down barriers of entry wherever possible, so that’s why GoGolf offers all Saudis free lessons — and why we were thrilled to host complimentary GoGolf clinics in Seoul.

“It was great to see so many young golfers come and be part of the sessions, including some who were repeat participants — amongst them, several of the Saudi expats. This shows the effectiveness of clinics like these in driving a growing interest in golf,” Al-Alsheikh added.

The GoGolf scheme, launched in Saudi Arabia, offers newcomers three months of free lessons, followed by discounted rounds, coaching, and memberships.

According to Golf Saudi, the program has delivered more than 70,000 free lessons to date, contributing to a 300 percent increase in Saudi golf participation since 2022. About 3,000 Saudi women have taken up the sport since 2021.

In Seoul, participants included local children aged five to eight who were introduced to the game through a partnership with First Tee Korea, a non-profit focused on youth development through golf.

Sessions were also open to Saudi expats living in South Korea, some of whom had previously taken up the sport in the Kingdom.

“I really enjoyed GoGolf,” said Abrar Abdulwahab, one of the approximately 100 Saudis who took part.

“I tried golf last year in Saudi Arabia, and now, trying again here, I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in my skills. When I return to my home, I’ll continue learning more, it’s been a wonderful experience,” he said.

Fellow expat Fahad Al-Qahtani added: “I’m extremely grateful for this program and its organizers. Not only did I take part in the coaching session, but I also learned about the history of golf in Saudi Arabia, which was really interesting.”