Jeddah all set for rounds 3 and 4 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship

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Rounds 3 and 4 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will take place at the iconic Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 February. (Supplied)
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Rounds 3 and 4 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will take place at the iconic Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 February. (Supplied)
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Updated 12 February 2025
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Jeddah all set for rounds 3 and 4 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship

  • ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s 11th season began with a thrilling opener in Brazil, followed by the 2nd round in Mexico on January 11
  • Double-header race will showcase the inclusion of Pit Boost for the first time - cars will receive a 10 percent energy increase (3.85kWh) from a quick, 30-second 600kW re-charge in the pitlane

JEDDAH: The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is primed for its first double-header of the season in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Rounds 3 and 4 will take place at the iconic Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 February.

Since 2018, the E-Prix, was hosted for six successful seasons in Diriyah, this year it has been shifted to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, renowned as the fastest street circuit in the world.

This two-day event, the third in the 17-race Formula E season, represents the seventh time Saudi Arabia has hosted a Formula E World Championship race, which includes 11 global locations.

The 11th season began with a thrilling opener in Brazil, followed by the 2nd round in Mexico on January 11. The competition has already delivered intense rivalries, particularly between reigning drivers’ champion Pascal Wehrlein and the NEOM McLaren team, which currently leads the teams’ championship standings.

Round 2 winner Oliver Rowland arrived in Jeddah and will be eager to deliver another standout performance, matching his victory last month in Mexico. The Brit’s victory lifted him into second in the Drivers’ Championship.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Beside the thrilling action during the two days, the double-header race will showcase the inclusion of Pit Boost for the first time. Cars will receive a 10 percent energy increase (3.85kWh) from a quick, 30-second 600kW re-charge in the pitlane.

Hosting up to 120 young women for its FIA Girls on Track program across race week. The day-long experience includes career talks, a Pit Lane Walk, activations in the Gaming Arena and educational partner workshops on-site, led by inspirational women from within the paddock.

The program focuses on STEM education and gender inclusivity in motorsport, engaging girls from diverse communities in host cities.

 In addition, the Rookie Free Practice session debuts ahead of the event, providing global motorsport talent a chance to showcase their abilities in the latest GEN3 Evo technology. These changes highlight Formula E and the FIA’s commitment to innovation, competition, and fan engagement as the series embarks on an exciting new chapter in Jeddah.

Formula E’s philosophy is not just to race, but also it supports communities and the environment. The championship has revealed sustainability initiatives that will be implemented during the Jeddah E-Prix 2025.

These initiatives will include innovative social and environmental projects, the most important of which are the “Girls on Track” program, and the “Formula E Fund for a Better Future” to support charities, in addition to the use of renewable energy and waste management systems.

ABB FIA Formula E World Championship – standings after 2 of 16 races

Drivers’ classification

1. Antonio Felix da Costa (POR), 37 points

2. Oliver Rowland (GBR), 25 points

3. Mitch Evans (NZL), 25 points

4. Pascal Wehrlein (GER), 21 points

6. Jake Dennis (GBR), 13 points

14. Dan Ticktum (GBR), 4 points

15. Nico Müller (SUI), 2 points

22. David Beckmann (GER), 0 points

Teams’ classification

1. TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team (GER), 58 points

2. NEOM McLaren Formula E Team (GBR), 27 points

3. Jaguar TCS Racing (GBR), 25 points

7. Andretti Formula E (USA), 15 points

10. CUPRA KIRO (USA), 4 points

Manufacturers’ classification

1. Porsche, 55 points

2. Nissan, 54 points

3. Jaguar, 41 points


France midfielder Rabiot has a calf problem and could miss Croatia match

Updated 4 sec ago
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France midfielder Rabiot has a calf problem and could miss Croatia match

“Rabiot has a calf problem and will not train this (Saturday) evening,” Deschamps said

PARIS: France midfielder Adrien Rabiot has a minor calf injury and is doubtful to face Croatia in the return leg of the Nations League quarterfinals on Sunday.
Rabiot came off midway through the second half on Thursday in Split, where Les Bleus lost 2-0.
“Rabiot has a calf problem and will not train this (Saturday) evening,” Deschamps said at a pre-match news conference. “It looks complicated for tomorrow.”
France won the Nations League in 2021 but lost to Croatia 1-0 at home the following year.
Before Sunday’s game, France will pay tribute to all-time leading scorer Olivier Giroud, who retired from the national team last year after scoring 57 goals in 137 matches.
Thierry Henry is second with 51 followed by Kylian Mbappé on 48. Mbappé missed chances to score in Split.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL opener

Updated 21 sec ago
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL opener

KOLKATA: Virat Kohli scored 59 not out off 36 balls as Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets Saturday in the opening game of the Indian Premier League.
The star batsman hit four fours and three sixes as Bengaluru chased down the defending champions’ 174-8 with 22 balls to spare.
Phil Salt scored 56 off 31 balls, adding 95 off 51 balls with Kohli in a whirlwind opening stand that powered Bengaluru’s total of 177-3 in 16.2 overs.
Salt, who played a prominent role for Kolkata in their 2024 triumph, was picked by Bengaluru in this season’s player auctions and made an impression in the very first game.
For Kolkata, skipper Ajinkya Rahane scored 56 off 31 balls, including six fours and four sixes.
Rahane is leading the defending champions after last year’s winning captain Shreyas Iyer was not retained by the franchise and moved to Punjab Kings for this season.
Bengaluru, led by Rajat Patidar for the first time, had won the toss and opted to bowl with the dew-factor in mind.
Put into bat, Kolkata lost Quinton de Kock early when he was caught behind off Josh Hazlewood for four.
A couple of catching chances went begging as the hosts fought back through Rahane and opener Sunil Narine.
Narine hit 44 off 26 balls, with five fours and three sixes, and put on 103 off 55 balls with Rahane. It was the skipper who set the tone by hitting six fours and four sixes in his first outing for Kolkata.
Bengaluru put on the brakes with spin as the duo both fell within four deliveries with the score reading 109-3 in 10.3 overs.
Kolkata then lost their way as big-money all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer was bowled for six, while Rinku Singh scored only 12.
Both were bowled off Krunal Pandya, who picked 3-29 in four overs in his first outing for Bengaluru. Andre Russell was also bowled for four off wrist spinner Suyash Sharma — another former Kolkata player.
Impact sub Angkrish Raghvanshi’s 30 off 22 balls pushed the score past 170, but it proved under par.
In reply, Kohli and Salt set an electric pace as the packed Eden Gardens chanted for the visiting side.
Salt hit nine fours and two sixes to set the tone and brought up 50 off only 25 balls. Kohli also scored at a brisk pace, as RCB was 80-0 in six overs – the highest opening stand in the powerplay in IPL history.
Kohli reached his 56th IPL half-century off 30 balls, and continued in attacking fashion, even as wickets fell at the other end.
There was too much dew for Kolkata’s spinners to have any impact, as Bengaluru pushed aggressively through the chase.
Patidar chipped in with a quickfire cameo – 34 off 16 balls, with five fours and a six – on his captaincy debut.
Sunday will see the first double-header of the season – 2024 runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad first take on Rajasthan Royals at home, followed by the high-profile clash between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in Chennai.

Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan

Updated 22 March 2025
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Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan

  • Head coach Herve Renard divided the players into two groups
  • National team will hold a closed training session on Sunday

SAITAMA, Japan: Saudi Arabia’s national football team started training on Saturday at Saitama Stadium’s training pitch in preparation for their clash against their host Japan on Tuesday.
The Green Falcons will face off with Japan at Saitama Stadium 2002 as part of the eighth round of the AFC qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
On the field, head coach Herve Renard divided the players into two groups. The first group included those who played their recent match against China, and were assigned recovery exercises at the health club.
The second group, which consisted of the remaining players, had warm-up exercises followed by small-sided games. Later, the players carried out a variety of tactical exercises, and the session concluded with stretching.
The national team will hold a closed training session on Sunday, at 7:00 p.m. at the same training pitch.
The Green Falcons arrived in Japan on Friday evening, a day after beating 10-man China 1-0 in Riyadh to get their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign back on track.


Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64

Updated 22 March 2025
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Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64

  • “The wider Algerian football family and JS Kabylie are in mourning following the announcement of the death of Djamel Menad,” JS Kabylie wrote
  • Born on July 22, 1960 in the town of El Bayadh, Menad represented his country 79 times, scoring 25 goals, over a 15-year international career

ALGIERS: Former Algeria forward Djamel Menad has died aged 64 following a short illness, his ex-club JS Kabylie announced on Saturday.
“The wider Algerian football family and JS Kabylie are in mourning following the announcement of the death of Djamel Menad, a former player and true legend of football in the country,” JS Kabylie wrote on social media.
“In recent weeks, the health of the former center-forward of the Algerian national team had deteriorated rapidly as a result of a devastating illness that struck him around two months ago,” indicated news website TSA.
Menad died in a clinic in Algiers where he had been hospitalized on March 14, after returning from Brussels where he had been receiving treatment for a month, reported Algerian football media DZfoot.
Born on July 22, 1960 in the town of El Bayadh, Menad represented his country 79 times, scoring 25 goals, over a 15-year international career.
Menad’s efforts in helping Algeria reach the 1986 World Cup in Mexico resulted in him being named Algerian sportsman of the year in 1985.
He was notably top scorer at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, with four goals in five appearances as Algeria claimed the trophy on home soil.
Over his club career, Menad played for Algerian sides JS Kabylie, CR Belouizdad and USM Alger. He also played in Europe for French club Nimes, as well as Portuguese sides Famalicao and Belenenses.
Menad moved into coaching after his playing career and was most recently sporting director at JS Kabylie.


Saudi national football team arrives in Japan for World Cup qualifiers

Updated 22 March 2025
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Saudi national football team arrives in Japan for World Cup qualifiers

The Saudi national football team arrived in Japan on Friday ahead of the team’s match for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. 

The match between Saudi Arabia and Japan will take place on Tuesday at the Saitama Stadium 2002 and is part of the seventh round of the Asian qualifiers for the World Cup. 

The team was greeted by Saudi Deputy Ambassador to Japan Anas Al-Nuwaiser and several embassy staff members on arriving at Japan’s Narita International Airport. 

On Thursday, Japan became the first team to qualify for the World Cup after winning 2-0 against Bahrain, followed by Saudi Arabia after defeating China 1-0.