RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has patronized the third edition of the Saudi Cup, the most valuable race in the world of horse racing, Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz Equestrian Square in Riyadh, the crown prince was received by Prince Faisal bin Bandar, governor of Riyadh, and Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan, the Saudi ambassador to Austria and a member of the board of directors of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.
Prince Mohammed arrived at the venue with Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, and Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal.
The crown prince took his place on the main stage and the national anthem was played. The horses participating in the race then moved from the grooming arena to the parade ground in front of the crown prince in a two-round show before the start of the race. All the jockeys participating in the race were also present on the parade ground.
Following the end of the feature Saudi Cup race, Prince Mohammed headed to the awarding platform, where he was received by Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, head of the Equestrian Authority and chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.
The crown prince congratulated Prince Saud bin Salman, owner of winning horse Emblem Road, as he lifted the Saudi Cup and was crowned winner of the race.
He also congratulated the horse's trainers Miteb Al-Mallouh, Al-Khayal, and Giberto Ramos.
The crown prince left the venue afterwards, bidding farewell with the same kindness he was received.
Several senior Saudi officials, horse owners and dignitaries from inside and outside the Kingdom attended the race ceremony.
Crown prince patronizes 3rd Saudi Cup race ceremony
https://arab.news/g8czv
Crown prince patronizes 3rd Saudi Cup race ceremony
- The crown prince congratulated Prince Saud bin Salman, owner of winning horse Emblem Road
Morocco part company with coach Regragui as World Cup looms
RABAT: Morocco parted company with coach Walid Regragui on Thursday, three months before the World Cup, with the country’s football federation naming Mohamed Ouahbi as his replacement.
Regragui leaves despite having led the Atlas Lions to the World Cup semifinals in 2022 and to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations at the beginning of this year.
“I leave my post with loyalty, gratitude, and the certainty that I have served my country,” he declared during a ceremony broadcast live on television, confirming weeks of persistent rumors that he was on his way out.
Ouahbi, 49, is promoted to the role having overseen Morocco’s triumph at the Under-20 World Cup in October, with the federation describing the move as “a strategic transition” in the run-up to the World Cup in North America in June and July.
“It’s a desire not to waste time and to take a different direction,” a source close to the Moroccan Federation told AFP.
“By appointing Mohamed Ouahbi and welcoming top-tier reinforcements, we are raising our standards and our demands,” the source said.
Morocco will be in Group C at the World Cup along with five-time winners Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.
They begin their campaign against Brazil at the MetLife Stadium just outside New York City on June 13 and will be hoping to make a big impression at the tournament before co-hosting the 2030 edition with Spain and Portugal.
“Our ambition is to consolidate our place among the best nations in a sustainable way and to perform well from this summer, as well as in 2030,” the leader of the Moroccan federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, said recently.
Regragui was hailed in 2022 after Morocco became the first African nation in World Cup history to reach the semifinals, beating Spain and Portugal along the way.
However, Regragui likely paid the ultimate price for the manner in which Morocco lost the recent AFCON final to Senegal.
His team were beaten 1-0 after extra-time at the end of a match marred by the Senegal team’s decision to walk off the pitch in protest at the award of a controversial late penalty to the hosts.
The penalty award with the game goalless sparked trouble in the crowd involving Senegal fans, 18 of whom were jailed following the disruption.
Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz eventually took the penalty after a long delay but his kick was saved and Senegal went on to win the game.
