Gold, glory and remarkable comebacks on day 13 of Saudi Games 2023

Above, action from the handball games at Saudi Games 2023. (Supplied)
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Updated 06 December 2023
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Gold, glory and remarkable comebacks on day 13 of Saudi Games 2023

  • Al-Shabab clinch gold in women’s futsal
  • Men’s Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr clubs advance to basketball finals

RIYADH: There were celebrations for Al-Shabab’s women’s futsal team, who took gold following a 4-0 triumph over Al-Nassr in the final of the competition.

The medal was awarded by Adwaa Al-Arifi, assistant minister for sports affairs, witnessed by Lamia Bahaian, vice president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. The bronze medal was clinched by Al-Hilal after an impressive 11-0 victory over Al-Qadisiyah.

Sahari snatches paralympic table tennis gold

Rami Sahari from Al-Riyadh took gold in the men’s paralympic table tennis competition, with clubmate Thamer Habshan winning silver. Bronze went to Al-Sharqiya’s Abdulrahman Bamusa.

The medals were awarded by Abdulaziz Baeshe, CEO and secretary-general of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, in the presence of Dr. Abdullah Al-Bar, president of the Saudi Table Tennis Federation.

Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr advance to basketball finals

The upcoming men’s basketball tournament finals, set for Dec. 7 at 6 p.m., will see Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr face each other in the green hall at Prince Faisal bin Fahad Olympic Complex.

Al-Hilal emerged victorious in yesterday’s semifinals with an 81-51 win against Al-Ahli, while Al-Nassr narrowly defeated Ohud 75-73. Ohud and Al-Ahli will compete at 4 p.m., ahead of the final, to decide third place.

Three wins in youth handball

Al-Khaleej secured a 33-23 victory over Al-Ibtisam in the group 3 matches as part of the youth handball competitions, hosted at King Saud University’s main arena on Tuesday. Mudhar emerged victorious in group 2, scoring 31-20 against Al-Ahli, while in the same group, Al-Hilal narrowly overcame Al-Qarah 20-18.

There are two matches scheduled in group 1 on Dec. 6. Al-Hazem will face Al-Hada in the first, with Al-Wehda later going up against Al-Noor.

Men’s handball qualification battles begin

In men’s handball, Al-Noor defeated Al-Rawdah 38-26 during the group 3 matches. In Group 4, Al-Hada emerged victorious against Al-Adalah with a score of 32-24, and Al-Wehda overpowered Al-Hazem 32-19.

The schedule for Wednesday, Dec 6., features four exciting matches. In group 1, Al-Jeel will go head-to-head with Al-Zulfi, while Al-Qarah will face off against Mudhar. In group 2, Al-Njoom is set to compete against Al-Muheet and Al-Safa take on Al-Khaleej.

Women’s basketball final to feature Jeddah United and Al-Asima

The final showdown in the women’s basketball competition will be between Jeddah United and Al-Asima. The game, scheduled for noon on Dec. 7, will take place in the Ministry of Sport hall at Prince Faisal bin Fahad Olympic Complex. Third place will be determined between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad in a match starting at 10 a.m.

Today’s semifinals saw Jeddah United, last year’s champions, take a convincing 53-29 win over Al-Ittihad, while Al-Asima triumphed 58-41 over Hilal.

Eight groups in padel

The padel competition kicked off yesterday morning at Riyadh’s N1 padel center, with competitors divided into four men’s and four women’s groups. The group stage will conclude today, Dec. 6, with the quarterfinals on Thursday and the semifinals on Friday. The finals in each category will take place on Dec. 9. 

Three weight categories in mixed martial arts

The two-day mixed martial arts contest starts today at King Saud University’s swimming hall in Riyadh with its quarterfinal weight categories, including the 61 kg, 70 kg, and 83 kg divisions. The finals for each category will take place on Thursday.

Jujitsu begins today

The jujitsu competitions, which start today, Dec. 6, at King Saud University’s multipurpose hall in Riyadh, will include women’s under 60 kg and over 60 kg categories alongside the men’s under 66 kg, under 77 kg, and over 88 kg divisions.

Boxer Majrashi’s inspiring comeback

The boxing ring at King Saud University bore witness to a remarkable comeback spanning an entire year. Saudi boxer Zeyed Majrashi, representing Al-Shabab, faced numerous challenges and setbacks following his defeat by Mohammed Al-Kreedis of Al-Hilal the previous season. Majrashi settled for silver in the 57 kg category in the 2022 Saudi Games.

Determined to secure the gold this year, Majrashi embarked on a year-long journey of rigorous training, intensive camps and both domestic and international competitions.

The pivotal moment arrived on Nov. 29, with Majrashi facing the same opponent who had defeated him previously. When the final bell rang Majrashi was awarded the gold, marking an incredible achievement following a year of relentless dedication. Speaking about his comeback, Majrashi said every goal was achievable when hard work met determination and desire.


LIV Golf announces return to Korea in 2026

Updated 09 March 2026
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LIV Golf announces return to Korea in 2026

  • Home favorites Korean Golf Club lead the field as Bryson DeChambeau and his Crushers GC team return to defend their LIV Golf Korea individual and team titles

BUSAN: LIV Golf today confirmed its return to Korea in 2026, with LIV Golf Korea set to be played at Asiad Country Club in Busan from May 28-31, 2026.

Marking a new chapter for the league in Asia, the 2026 event will introduce Asiad Country Club to the LIV Golf calendar in a multi-year agreement with the venue. Located in Korea’s second-largest city, the course has previously hosted international tournaments, including the BMW Ladies Championship and the 2002 Asian Games, and is regarded as one of the country’s finest championship venues.

Scott O’Neil, CEO of LIV Golf, said, “Bringing LIV Golf back to Korea, and to Busan for the first time, is an important next step for the league and for our fans here. The appetite for LIV Golf continues to grow, and Asiad Country Club and the city of Busan give us a venue that meets our ambitions for the event, both competitively and culturally in Korea. We’re excited to build on the momentum from our debut last season and deliver another memorable week for Korean fans.”

Fans can join the waitlist now at LIVGolf.com to secure tickets for LIV Golf Korea 2026, with hospitality and grounds pass details to be announced soon. Fans are encouraged to join the waitlist early, with limited inventory available. Premium hospitality and corporate experiences will be available for purchase, alongside specialty-priced group tickets for parties of 10 or more. Children aged 12 and under will receive complimentary Grounds Pass admission (one per paying adult).

LIV Golf made its debut in Korea in 2025, where Bryson DeChambeau claimed the individual title and led his Crushers GC to a team victory, completing a memorable double sweep. DeChambeau will return in 2026 to defend his title against a world-class field featuring many of the biggest names in the game, including former Ryder Cup star Anthony Kim, who recently beat DeChambeau and Legion XIII captain Jon Rahm in dramatic fashion to claim the LIV Golf Adelaide individual title, his first professional win in nearly 16 years.

Home attention will center on Korean Golf Club, featuring an all-Korean lineup led by captain Byeong Hun An alongside Minkyu Kim, Younghan Song and Danny Lee. Formed in 2026, the team has already found momentum both on and off the course, securing domestic partners including HANWHA PLUS and apparel partner AMAZINGCRE. Backed by strong local support, Korean Golf Club brings its own distinct brand of K-golf to the LIV Golf league, reflecting the culture, energy and growing influence of the game in Korea around the world.

An, captain of Korean Golf Club, said: “Playing LIV Golf in Korea means a great deal to all of us. Competing at home, in front of Korean fans, brings a different level of pride. As a team, we’re excited to represent Korean golf on this stage and around the world, and we’re excited to show the energy, passion and competitiveness that define the way Korean Golf Club plays the game.”

A city known for its vibrant culture, energy, and iconic coastline, Busan will host LIV Golf for the first time, again expanding the league’s reach through its 14-event calendar taking place across 10 countries and five continents.

Park Heong-joon, mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, said, “We are proud to welcome the LIV Golf League back to Korea and to host the event in Busan for the first time this May. Bringing a global sporting event of this scale to our city reflects Busan’s growing role as an international destination for sport, culture and tourism. We look forward to welcoming players, fans and visitors from around the world and showcasing the hospitality of Busan.”

As with last year’s event, which featured headline music acts including G-Dragon and IVE, the LIV Golf Korea experience will extend beyond the course, combining world-class competition with live music and unrivalled off-course entertainment. Details of the full concert and entertainment program will be announced soon.

The announcement of LIV Golf Korea 2026 marks the final event to be unveiled for LIV Golf’s 2026 season. The global golf league will host 14 events across 10 countries and five continents during the 2026 season, including its first-ever event in South Africa (March 19–22), alongside stops in Saudi Arabia, Adelaide, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mexico, Spain, the US, and the UK.

Notably, LIV Golf has already broken attendance records at LIV Golf Adelaide 2026, drawing more than 115,000 fans across the four-day tournament, including a single-day crowd exceeding 38,500 spectators, both new highs for the league and for professional golf events in Australia.