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Qatar Motorsports Academy (QMA) driver Bader al-Sulaiti delivered a standout performance by securing P1 in Race 2 of the UAE4 Championship, marking his first-ever victory in Formula 4.This achievement also represents a historic milestone for Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Team Qatar, as it is their first-ever victory as a team and competitor in the championship, underlining the progress and growing presence of Qatari motorsport on the regional racing scene.Al Sulaiti’s win is a major milestone in his racing career and a testament to his talent, dedication, and rapid development within the highly competitive UAE4 Championship field. Competing at the iconic Yas Marina Circuit, he showed confidence, consistency, and race craft to take the top step of the podium.As a Qatar Motorsports Academy driver, al-Sulaiti is currently part of a structured development program designed by QMA to evolve young drivers and prepare them for higher levels of competition. This program focuses on performance, discipline, and long-term growth, with clear objectives set for upcoming challenges on the international motorsport stage.This historic victory not only highlights al-Sulaiti’s potential but also reflects QMA’s commitment to building the next generation of elite racing drivers from the region, while marking an important new chapter for QMMF and Team Qatar in single-seater racing. Related Story Source link
Barcelona’s forward Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the la Liga match against Real Oviedo at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona Sunday. (AFP)…
The 29th edition of the Qatar Masters 2026 will take place at the Doha Golf Club (QGC) from February 5 to 8.The event continues the legacy of one of the most prestigious and long-standing golf tournaments in the region and worldwide, reaffirming Qatar’s prominent position as a leading host of major international sporting events.The Qatar Masters is one of the officially sanctioned tournaments on the DP World Tour and represents a key fixture at the start of the global golf season. The championship attracts an elite field of world-class professional golfers, alongside extensive international media coverage and growing spectator interest. With a total prize fund of US $2.75mn, the tournament reflects its high standing and the exceptional level of competition it consistently delivers.DGC will once again host the championship, reaffirming its status as one of the region’s premier golf venues. Renowned for its distinctive design and demanding technical layout, the course provides a highly competitive and professional playing environment that meets the highest international standards of organization and excellence.QGA President Hamad Abdulla al-Mana said the Qatar Masters represents a cornerstone of Qatar’s national sports calendar and embodies the country’s growing stature as a leading global destination for hosting major sporting events. He also said the championship plays a vital role in the development of golf, the promotion of sports tourism, and the encouragement of younger generations to engage in sporting activities.Al-Mana emphasized that the continued success of the tournament would not have been possible without the ongoing support of the Qatar Olympic Committee, chaired by His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee. He expressed his appreciation for this support, which has contributed significantly to strengthening the championship’s position on the global sporting map.Beyond its competitive significance, the Qatar Masters delivers substantial economic, tourism, and media impact. The event contributes to stimulating tourism activity, enhancing Qatar’s global image as a premier sporting destination, supporting golf development programs, and reinforcing a culture of institutional excellence in the organization of major sporting events.The QGA has invited golf fans and spectators from within Qatar and abroad to follow the championship and enjoy a world-class sporting event featuring some of the finest golfers in the world, in a competitive atmosphere that reflects the highest sporting and organisational values Related Story Source link
The first half of the 2026 Arabian Drag Racing League (ADRL) concluded at the Qatar Racing Club’s (QRC) drag strip amid thrilling, breath-holding battles between speed champions.The third round of the series, held under the patronage of QRC Chairman His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad al-Thani, saw a new participation record with more than 170 competitors distributed across the championship’s 11 categories.The titles were contested by elite racers from the Gulf region, the wider Middle East, and the United States of America with eight competitors claiming their first titles of the season.The quarter-mile Index categories once again produced new champions for the second consecutive round, reshuffling the championship standings. Majed al-Sharshani claimed his first INDEX 9.0 category title after defeating Mohammed al-Thuwaini, who recorded his second podium finish of the season following a third-place result in the opening round. Mohammed al-Ansari also made his first podium appearance of the season in this category by finishing third.The INDEX 8.50 final brought together Yousef al-Faraj and Khaled Humaidan, both reaching the final for the first time this season. Al-Faraj prevailed to take the win, leaving second place to Humaidan.The eighth-mile Index categories also saw new winners, with the exception of INDEX 4.0, where Tareq al-Bastaki claimed his second consecutive title after defeating opening-round winner Rashid al-Balushi in the final.In INDEX 4.50, Saeed al-Balushi reached the final for the third consecutive round. After losing the previous two finals, he managed this time to secure his first title in the category by defeating Hassan Ashkanani. The INDEX 4.80 category produced a completely new podium, with Shaun Langdon taking first place, Batti al-Ali second, and Mohammed al-Furaih third.First titles for Gray and al-MaghribiAfter failing to reach the final in the previous two rounds and settling for third place, 2025 NHRA Pro Mod champion JR Gray secured the title beating Rashid al-Balushi in the final.In Super Street Pro, Jaber al-Maghribi reached the final for the third consecutive round and this time claimed his first championship title after defeating Nabil al-Issa, who made his first appearance of the season.Meanwhile, Mustafa Atat was the only competitor to achieve a perfect score in the first half of the championship, claiming his third consecutive title in the Super Street Outlaw categoryThe final race of the most powerful bike category brought together Mishaal al-Sabr and Christopher Garner. Al-Sabr was seeking his first title of the season after finishing third in the opening round and second in the previous round, but he once again had to settle for second place as Garner won the final and secured his first title of the season.The Super Street Bike category saw a new winner for the third consecutive round, with Badr bin Eidan taking the title after defeating opening-round winner Mishari al-Turki in the final.In the Street Bike category, last round’s winner Mustafa al-Mahmoudi claimed his second title of the season after winning the final against opening-round champion Mohammed Al-Salem.QRC Director General Sheikh Jabor bin Khalid al-Thani awarded trophies to the top three finishers in each category. The fourth round begins on Wednesday. Related Story Source link
Soccer Football – Primeira Liga – Benfica v Estrela – Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal – January 25, 2026 Benfica coach Jose Mourinho REUTERS/Pedro Nunes Real Madrid are aiming to seal direct passage to the Champions League last 16 at Benfica Wednesday, but standing in their way is their divisive former coach Jose Mourinho.The veteran Portuguese still has slim hopes of taking Benfica into the play-off round, needing victory and other results to go their way, but pride alone is enough of a reward as he takes on Alvaro Arbeloa’s 15-time European champions.Mourinho never won the Champions League with Madrid, coaching the club between 2010 and 2013, a period in which rivals Barcelona had the upper hand both at home and on the continent.His opposite number at the Estadio da Luz is a former disciple of his in ex-Madrid defender Arbeloa, one of his most loyal foot soldiers during his reign. However, their strong prior relationship has not stopped the oft-antagonistic Mourinho from taking an apparent dig at him ahead of the match.”For me, it’s a surprise when coaches with no history get the opportunity to manage the most important clubs in the world,” said Mourinho last week, interpreted as commentary on Arbeloa’s appointment to replace Xabi Alonso earlier in January.Arbeloa had been coaching Madrid’s reserve team, with Los Blancos his debut first team job. He responded with grace to Mourinho’s words. “You all know what Mourinho means to me. If a coach like that speaks, especially him, I listen and analyse it,” said the 43-year-old Spaniard.In his first press conference as Madrid coach, Arbeloa said he carries Mourinho “within him” and that it was an “honour and a privilege” to have worked under the Portuguese. Arbeloa said he would try to be himself rather than an imitation of the 63-year-old. “While it’s true I am not afraid of failing, and have never been, I’m sure that if I tried to be Jose Mourinho, I would fail spectacularly,” he explained.Madrid crashed out of the Copa del Rey at second-tier Albacete in Arbeloa’s first match at the helm but have won the following three games, including a 6-1 demolition of Monaco. Sitting third in the league phase table, victory would ensure Madrid progressed to the last 16, avoiding the play-off round, and gaining second-leg home advantage.Madrid moved on after Mourinho but some of his hallmarks have returned, particularly in recent years as the club regularly rail against officiating in Spain. Mourinho’s siege mentality has been embraced by club president Florentino Perez, and Arbeloa’s appointment means some aspects of the Portuguese’s game returning too.The now-Benfica boss advocated for a counter-attacking Madrid and Arbeloa says he would be foolish not to utilise that strategy. “I cannot go against what is natural for the players, the opposite — I have to try and take advantage of it,” said Arbeloa after Madrid beat Villarreal on Saturday.Mourinho, a rare coach admired by Perez, has only faced Real Madrid once since leaving the club in 2013. While coaching Manchester United in 2017 he fell to a 2-1 defeat by Madrid in the European Super Cup final in Macedonia.In the first few years after leaving Madrid he was occasionally linked with a return, although Perez never pulled the trigger on it, seemingly aware of the negative effects it could have. Mourinho stoked the rivalry between Madrid and Barcelona to unprecedented heights in the modern game, controversially poking then Barca assistant Tito Vilanova in eye during a brawl following a Spanish Super Cup defeat in 2011.There were also fractures in the Madrid dressing room under the pressure of Mourinho’s approach and demands. Since his heyday at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan, which led him to Madrid, Mourinho’s career has taken a turn for the worse.He won the Europa League with Manchester United in 2017 during a difficult spell there, before modest stints at Tottenham, Roma and Fenerbahce.Benfica appointed him in September, hoping he could turn things around, but several defeats in the Champions League have left them facing an early European exit.Domestically Benfica sit third, some way behind leaders Porto, who knocked them out of the Portuguese Cup earlier in January, with fans left furious.Amid the problems Mourinho has, Madrid’s visit to Lisbon is an invitation for him to reassert some dominance, albeit for one night only, before a club which has never forgotten him. …
Arsenal’s David Raya reacts with teammates after Manchester United’s Patrick Dorgu scores their second goal in their Premier league match on Sunday. (Reuters) Top of both the Premier League and Champions League and still in both domestic cup competitions, Arsenal fans should be relishing what could yet turn out to be the greatest season in the Gunners’ history. But a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United has reopened the debate over whether Mikel Arteta’s side can shrug off their tag of nearly men to deliver a first league title in 22 years. Arsenal still hold a four-point lead over an inconsistent Manchester City and surprise-packages Aston Villa at the top of the table with 15 games to go. Already assured of progression to the Champions League last 16, Arteta’s men are also well placed to reach the League Cup final and have a favourable home draw against third-tier Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round. But legendary former captain Patrick Vieira questioned the mental strength of the current Arsenal crop after a tentative display against United to lose at home for the first time this season. They have finished second for the past three Premier League seasons and have not won any major trophy since Arteta’s debut season six years ago. “There are still questions about the mental strength of the team,” Vieira said. “They need to understand when they are on the pitch they have to play with more energy and more risks. They have the quality.” As City and Villa have stumbled in recent weeks, Arsenal have wasted the chance to turn the title race into a something of a procession. After back-to-back goalless draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, Arsenal conceded three goals for the first time in nearly three years as a rejuvenated United won at the Emirates for the first time since 2019. “We have to show the mental strength that we have on the pitch when it comes to matchday,” said Arteta when questioned about his side’s doubters. “We lost a game… It’s how we react to that and I am very convinced because I know those players in that dressing room and how much we want it that we’re going to react immediately.” Despite their lofty position, a lack of invention in the final third is not a new problem for Arteta to solve. No Arsenal player has scored more than five league goals this season, a quarter of the tally of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. A Lisandro Martinez own goal and Mikel Merino’s finish from a corner means more than half of Arsenal’s Premier League goals have come either from opposition players or set-pieces. The signing of Viktor Gyokeres has failed to end Arteta’s quest for a prolific number nine, while star winger Bukayo Saka has gone off the boil with no goals in his last 13 games. However, Arsenal remain very much in the box seat for a first title since Vieira’s side went a full league season unbeaten in 2003/04, thanks in part to the unreliability of their rivals. City won for the first time in five league games in 2026 against bottom-of-the-table Wolves on Saturday. But Pep Guardiola’s men travel to Tottenham and Liverpool in their next two league games – two stadiums where they have rarely succeeded even during a glorious era. Villa’s first title since 1980/81 would be an even bigger shock as they continue to punch above their weight under Unai Emery. “The journey’s not always going to be smooth, there’s going to be ups and downs,” said Saka. “It’s up to us to show our character next week.” If Arsenal can restore order, the title remains theirs for the taking. Related Story…
Alpine ski star Lindsey Vonn, seeking her fourth Olympic medal at age 41, was among seven Americans named to their fifth United States Olympic team on Monday.A record 232-member squad, including 98 with prior Olympic experience, was announced by the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) for next month’s Milan-Cortina Winter Games.The lineup includes Vonn, who made a comeback from knee replacement surgery in 2024. She won downhill gold and Super-G bronze in 2010 at Vancouver and took a downhill bronze in 2018 at PyeongChang.Others set to make their fifth Olympic appearance include bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor, whose five medals include three silvers and two bronzes; three-time bobsled champion Kaillie Humphries, figure skater Evan Bates, ice hockey player Hilary Knight and snowboarders Nick Baumgartner and Faye Thelen.Taylor, 41, leads the team’s 33 prior Olympic medalists with five while multiple gold medalists include Humphries with three and alpine ski star Mikaela Shiffrin and snowboarder Chloe Kim with two each.”Today we proudly introduce the 2026 US Olympic team – a group of extraordinary athletes whose commitment, perseverance and spirit reflect the very best of Team USA,” USOPC chief executive officer Sarah Hirshland said.”Congratulations to each member of this extraordinary team who have earned their chance to represent the United States on the biggest stage in sport.”The 232 American Olympians include defenseman Seth Jones of the reigning NHL champion Florida Panthers, who was named to the US squad earlier this month before suffering an upper body injury and being replaced by Jackson LaCombe of the Anaheim Ducks. USOPC policy recognizes Jones as a member of the Olympic team.The largest prior US Olympic squad was 228 athletes at PyeongChang in 2018.US Chef de Mission Rocky Harris called the American lineup “a team full of proven champions and fearless newcomers that have the potential to take Team USA’s winter performance to a new level and inspire a nation in the process.”The US squad includes 115 women and 117 men with freeskier Abby Winterberger the youngest athlete at age 15 and curling competitor Rich Ruohonen the oldest at 54. Source link
Head of the Organising Committee Hassan al-Ishaq and Executive Director of the Qatar Sports for All Federation Abdullah al-Dosari speak at a press conference organised to…
Carlos Alcaraz sizzled under the bright lights at the Australian Open and blazed into the semi-finals on Tuesday after fellow top seed Aryna Sabalenka remained cool in the unforgiving Melbourne heat to stay on course for another title. Alexander Zverev was briefly made to sweat under the roof of Rod Laver Arena before overcoming Learner Tien, but a frustrated Coco Gauff unravelled in a racket-smashing meltdown following a stunning defeat by the resurgent Elina Svitolina.That preceded Alcaraz’s dominant 7-5 6-2 6-1 victory over Alex de Minaur on the main showcourt, as the Spaniard dashed his sixth-seeded opponent’s hopes of ending a five-decade Australian wait for a homegrown men’s champion.The 22-year-old – a six-times major winner – is seeking his own piece of history at Melbourne Park, where he can eclipse Don Budge and become the youngest man to lift all four Grand Slam trophies.”It was a great match in terms of level, in terms of the intensity. I played the best match so far in the tournament,” Alcaraz told reporters.”This is my first official tournament of the year and sometimes I’m not that patient. In the first match I really wanted to play at my best level. This is almost impossible. You have to get the rhythm of the competition again.”Sabalenka, chasing her third title in four years, also got into a high gear for a dominant 6-3 6-0 win over 18-year-old Iva Jovic on a sweltering Centre Court, where the roof was open with the “Heat Stress Scale” not at its highest threshold. Shortly after her victory, though, tournament organisers invoked the extreme heat policy as temperatures crossed the 40 Celsius (104F) mark, prompting the suspension of play on the outer courts and the closure of roofs on the main ones.”It was hot out there. I guess as women, we are stronger than the guys, so they had to close the roof for the guys, so they don’t suffer,” Sabalenka joked.”I knew going into this match they won’t let us play in crazy heat. If it would reach five (on the Heat Stress Scale) they would close the roof.” The four-times Grand Slam champion was less pleased with the Australian Open’s ban on wearable fitness tracking devices after some players were told to remove them before matches.SERVICE WOESUp next for Sabalenka is Ukrainian 12th seed Svitolina, who took full advantage of Gauff’s woes on serve and reached her first Australian Open semi-final with a 6-1 6-2 victory in under an hour.”It was a good day in the office,” said Svitolina, who is finding her best form after a mental health break last year.”Very pleased with the way that I’ve been playing, not only this match, but I think the tournament overall.”Gauff later looked for a place without cameras to channel her frustration and was unhappy to find out that a video of her obliteratingher racket on a concrete floor inside Melbourne Park was broadcast to viewers worldwide.”I kind of have a thing with the broadcasters,” she said.”I feel like certain moments – the same thing happened to Aryna after I played her in final of the U.S. Open in 2023. I feel like they don’t need to broadcast it.”While Gauff battled through her own storm, Melbourne Park wilted earlier as the temperature touched 45 Celsius at around 4.30 p.m. and fans were largely absent from concourses across the usually buzzing venue.The day session attendance was 21,226, less than half Monday’s 50,010 for the corresponding session. The decision to close the roof made conditions easier for the players, but Zverev was unable to get into his comfort zone against Tien, losing the second set to the American and being taken to a tiebreak in the fourth. Despite being tested, Zverev said he was confident he could get past Tien in what he called perfect conditions.”It’s great. I would love to play with the roof every single match, so it was not difficult,” he said. “It was difficult physically, but it was not difficult with the conditions.” The German third seed, runner-up to Jannik Sinner last year, secured a 6-3 6-7(5) 6-1 7-6(3) victory to stay on course for a first Grand Slam trophy but the path will get tougher with Alcaraz up next. Related Story Source link
Pakistan cricket chief Mohsin Naqvi said Monday a final decision on the team's participation in next month's Twenty20 World Cup will be delayed by up to a week, keeping open a possible boycott over Bangladesh's withdrawal.Naqvi met Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday to take his advice on the situation, after which a call was expected to be made, but the cricket board boss posted on X that ‘the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday’.Describing a ‘productive meeting’ with the premier, he said Sharif ‘directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table’.Naqvi threw the national cricket team's participation into doubt on Saturday, saying Pakistan could pull out after the International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced Bangladesh in the tournament.Local media also reported that Pakistan could also boycott a February 15 match against arch-rivals India over political tension.Pakistan's reaction comes after the ICC rejected Bangladesh's demands to relocate their World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka over security fears.On Saturday, the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland as per the Twenty20 international rankings.Pakistan backed Bangladesh's stance in Wednesday's ICC Board virtual meeting, saying there was a precedence of relocating India's matches on security fears from Pakistan in last year's Champions Trophy.Then India, who have not toured Pakistan since 2008, played all their matches in Dubai.The same option was given to Pakistan who will not tour India and play their Twenty20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka under an agreement signed last year saying the two countries will play on neutral venues whenever one of them hosts an ICC event.Pakistan and Bangladesh revived their sour relations after the ousting of prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a student-inspired uprising in Bangladesh.In contrast, Dhaka and New Delhi fell out over demands India hand over the fugitive former premier.Earlier this month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India told Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman due to political tensions.Bangladesh then refused to play in India and demanded their matches be relocated to co-hosts Sri Lanka, but the ICC rejected the appeal. Source link