Winners of Saudi Coastal Rowing Championships crowned

The event, organized by the Saudi Rowing Federation, attracted 46 male and female competitors, competing in nine different categories. (Supplied)
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Updated 30 April 2025
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Winners of Saudi Coastal Rowing Championships crowned

  • Darin Beach contest featured 46 male and female competitors in nine different categories
  • Event aimed to promote the sport and discover athletes with championship caliber

JUBAIL: Mu’ayyad Al-Rashidi won the men’s singles and Haya Al-Mami won the women’s singles at the Saudi Coastal Rowing Championships at Darin Beach in Jubail, which ended on Tuesday.

The event, organized by the Saudi Rowing Federation, attracted 46 male and female competitors, competing in nine different categories.

The two days of action were aimed at promoting the sport and discovering athletes with championship caliber.

In other results, Israa Qadri and Turki Al-Arif took first place in the mixed doubles.

⁠Rad’an Al-Dosari triumphed in the under 23 youth singles, while Abdullah Al-Mami won the under 19 junior singles title.

⁠Al-Jazi Al-Ibrahim took first place in the under 19 girls’ singles and Shams Abu Al-Ainain won the under 17 girls’ singles.

⁠Ahmed Al-Qahtani and Dhari Al-Enezi snatched victory in the under 17 junior doubles.

⁠Ali Husain Alireza, chairman of the board of the Saudi Rowing Federation, and Dha’ar bin Shuja’a Al-Mutairi, director-general of support services at the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, attended the event.

Alireza praised the outstanding technical level of the championship and congratulated the winners on their achievements.

He said that the championship represented an important step in promoting rowing, expanding the base of practitioners in the Kingdom and contributing to the discovery of promising champions.


San Francisco 49ers launch Nextgen Flag Football program in UAE

Updated 24 December 2025
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San Francisco 49ers launch Nextgen Flag Football program in UAE

DUBAI: The San Francisco 49ers launched on Monday their NextGen Flag Football program to introduce the game into school curricula in the UAE.

The US team are collaborating with GEMS Education, the largest network of schools in the country, serving 125,000 students. The program was rolled out to select GEMS schools earlier this year, with plans for more to join in January 2026.

The program will equip participating schools with gear, curriculum resources, and coaching support, to help teachers integrate flag football into their physical education lessons, the team stated in a press release.

The team added: “At the end of each season, the program will culminate in a flag football tournament, bringing together participating schools to compete and demonstrate the skills developed in their classes.”

The launch follows several 49ers flag football clinics at GEMS schools earlier this year, including the first event of its kind hosted by an NFL team in the UAE at GEMS World Academy Senior School.

During these events, 49ers representatives trained more than 24 physical education teachers in the fundamentals of coaching flag football, before leading hands-on sessions with students.

Participants took part in NFL-style practice drills, played introductory flag tag games. There was a special appearance from the 49ers’ mascot, Sourdough Sam, who attended to cheer on the students.

Justin Prettyman, executive director of the 49ers Foundation, stated: “We’re thrilled to launch NextGen Flag Football and to work with GEMS going forward.

“By introducing students to the fundamentals of flag football, we’re not just teaching a game; we’re helping them develop teamwork, confidence, and leadership skills that will last a lifetime.”

Jay Varkey, deputy CEO, GEMS Education, stated that they are committed to providing students “with a truly holistic education that nurtures not only academic excellence but also character, teamwork, and resilience.

“Our collaboration with the San Francisco 49ers reflects this vision, bringing world-class sporting expertise into our schools through the NextGen Flag Football program.

The launch of NextGen Flag Football in the UAE reflects the 49ers expanding international footprint under the NFL’s Global Markets Program.

In March, the team was awarded activation rights in the UAE, building on its program in the UK and Mexico, where local fanbases have grown by more than 50 percent, the team stated.

Since 2021, the 49ers have hosted over 50 community events across those regions.