DUBAI: A new Middle-Eastern obstacle course racing brand, Arabian Warrior, has announced the schedule for its inaugural season in the Gulf region.
The series will include eight events, beginning in the UAE with the opening race in Dubai on Oct. 26, before moving to Saudi Arabia for races in Dammam and Jeddah. The action then returns to the UAE, with Fujairah hosting first event of 2025, followed by races in Riyadh, Ras Al-Khaimah and Qatari capital Doha.
Competitors at these events will have the opportunity to qualify for a season-ending championship. Full details will be announced soon, organizers said.
The stated aim of Arabian Warrior is to establish a global OCR portfolio based in the Middle East.
Sheikh Abdullah Al-Sharqi, a spokesperson for the brand, said: “This is a pivotal day for OCR in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region as we launch an exciting, forward-thinking brand which will make a significant impact during its opening season and beyond.
“As a fast-growing sport, OCR events in the region have attracted thousands of competitors in recent years. At Arabian Warrior, we now want to take the fantastic work which has already been produced onto the next level.
“Make no mistake, this is a groundbreaking moment for the sport as we add eight major events to what is already an action-packed calendar, strengthening the region’s position as a global sporting destination.”
Arabian Warrior said it aims to be a fully inclusive brand, and will offer 5km, 10km, 15km, 20km, 50km events and a 1.6k race for children that feature Arab-themed obstacles of varying difficulty levels to ensure people of all levels of skill and fitness have the opportunity to participate.
Those who simply want to come along and take on the challenge can participate in open heats, while those with a more competitive streak can compete in heats for their age group in which the runs will be timed and winners honored. There will also be an elite category in which some of the world’s top OCR athletes will go head-to-head.
The winners in the competitive events at each location will be invited to compete in the season-ending championship where the winners will be crowned the ultimate 2024-25 Arabian Warriors. Organizers said significant prize funds will be announced soon.
Each event will also include a fan village featuring entertainment and a selection of food and beverage outlets.
New Gulf region obstacle course racing brand Arabian Warrior unveils inaugural season schedule
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New Gulf region obstacle course racing brand Arabian Warrior unveils inaugural season schedule
- It includes 8 events in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, beginning in Dubai on Oct. 26 and culminating in a season-ending championship
- There will be 5km, 10km, 15km, 20km, 50km races, and a 1.6km event for children, featuring Arab-themed obstacles of varying difficulty levels
Dubai Basketball edge Milan to secure EuroLeague victory
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball strengthened their home-court reputation with a 99-92 win over EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in Round 18 of the EuroLeague at Coca-Cola Arena on Tuesday, cheered on by more than 5,000 fans.
The hosts made a fast start and immediately imposed themselves at both ends of the floor. Canadian center Mfiondu Kabengele and Serbian big man Filip Petrusev controlled the paint early, creating close-range scoring opportunities and forcing Milan into defensive adjustments. With McKinley Wright IV and Dwayne Bacon adding pace and penetration, Dubai surged into a double-digit lead and dictated the tempo of the opening quarter.
Milan struggled to settle and spent much of the first period on the back foot, as Dubai’s advantage stretched to 15 points. Although the visitors steadied themselves as the quarter progressed, the early deficit proved costly.
Dubai head coach Jurica Golemac praised the impact of the home crowd after the game, saying: “Congratulations to the fans. We were missing them for sure in the last home game, and they helped us a lot. In the first quarter, we played one of our best quarters this season. The next game is at home in three days, so there is no time to rest too much. We need to prepare for that game first. We are not thinking three games ahead — we prepare for every game and try to win every game.”
Milan showed improved rhythm in the second quarter, but Dubai responded before the break. Bacon punished defensive lapses from beyond the arc, while Kabengele finished strongly inside to help the hosts take a seven-point lead into halftime.
The final period was defined by composure rather than flair. Milan threatened to draw level on several occasions, but missed free throws and execution errors halted their momentum. Bacon sealed the outcome from the free-throw line in the final two minutes, pushing Dubai back into a double-digit advantage and closing out the contest.
Bacon led all scorers with 25 points, while Wright recorded 19 points and nine assists. Kabengele added 17 points, and Petrusev contributed 13 points and seven rebounds. For Milan, Guduric topped the scoring with 11 points, alongside seven rebounds and seven assists.
Dubai Basketball now turn their attention to the ABA League, where they remain unbeaten. The team return to Coca-Cola Arena to face Slovenia’s KRKA in Round 12 of the competition.
