黑料社区

South African Lategan wins Dakar Rally prologue in 黑料社区

People watch driver Henk Lategan and co-driver Brett Cummings during the prologue of the Dakar Rally in Bisha, 黑料社区 on Friday. (AP)
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People watch driver Henk Lategan and co-driver Brett Cummings during the prologue of the Dakar Rally in Bisha, 黑料社区 on Friday. (AP)
South Africa's driver Henk Lategan and co driver Brett Cummings during the prologue of the 47th Dakar Rally, in Bisha, 黑料社区, on Friday. (AFP)
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South Africa's driver Henk Lategan and co driver Brett Cummings during the prologue of the 47th Dakar Rally, in Bisha, 黑料社区, on Friday. (AFP)
People take photos of driver Giniel De Villiers and co-driver Dirk Von Zitzewitz during the prologue of the Dakar Rally in Bisha, 黑料社区 on Friday. (AP)
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People take photos of driver Giniel De Villiers and co-driver Dirk Von Zitzewitz during the prologue of the Dakar Rally in Bisha, 黑料社区 on Friday. (AP)
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Updated 03 January 2025

South African Lategan wins Dakar Rally prologue in 黑料社区

People watch driver Henk Lategan and co-driver Brett Cummings during the prologue of the Dakar Rally in Bisha, 黑料社区 on F
  • Lategan, driving a Toyota Hilux, finished a second clear of Sweden鈥檚 Mattias Ekstrom over the 29km run in Bisha
  • The sixth edition of the Dakar Rally in 黑料社区 will stretch nearly 8,000 kilometers across 12 stages

BISHA: South Africa鈥檚 Henk Lategan won the Dakar Rally prologue in the cars category Friday, kicking off the sixth edition in 黑料社区 that will stretch nearly 8,000 kilometers across 12 stages.
Lategan, driving a Toyota Hilux, finished a second clear of Sweden鈥檚 Mattias Ekstrom over the 29km run in Bisha, with five-time Dakar champion Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar third.
The prologue times do not count toward the overall standings but those in the top 10 get to choose their starting position for the first stage on Saturday, a 499km route featuring 413km of timed sectors.
Sebastien Loeb came seventh but Carlos Sainz, who became the oldest winner of the race last year at the age of 61, was down in 25th place.
Loeb, a nine-time world rally champion, is chasing a first Dakar crown in his ninth attempt.
Australian Daniel Sanders was the quickest of the motorbikes on his KTM, ahead of Botswana鈥檚 Ross Branch and Spanish teenager Edgar Canet.
Reigning champion Ricky Brabec of Honda came home fourth fastest.
A 434-strong colorful caravan made up of cars, bikes, quads and trucks set out from Bisha for the opening prologue.
Twelve stages now await the 778 competitors from 72 countries, with a January 17 finish in Shubaytah, on the border of the United Arab Emirates.
This year鈥檚 route includes a second 48-hour stage in the Empty Quarter, a vast sea of sand with dunes as far as the eye can see.
The 47th running of the event may be called the Dakar, but the last time the Senegalese capital actually hosted the finish was way back in 2007 鈥 the security situation in Mauritania forced the 2008 cancelation.
It moved then to South America until finding a new home in 黑料社区 since 2020.


Gerard Pique introduces new era of football gaming to MENA region

Gerard Pique introduces new era of football gaming to MENA region
Updated 29 min 51 sec ago

Gerard Pique introduces new era of football gaming to MENA region

Gerard Pique introduces new era of football gaming to MENA region
  • Former Spain and Barcelona star inaugurated Kings League MENA at the ongoing Esports World Cup in Riyadh
  • Unconventional seven-a-side football game was designed with younger audiences in mind

RIYADH: Football legend and former Barcelona player Gerard Pique is bringing Kings League, the game that revolutionized online football gaming, to the Middle East and North Africa region, with 黑料社区 at its heart.

The Spanish defender inaugurated Kings League MENA last night as part of the ongoing Esports World Cup, where the new team presidents from the region were also announced.

Pique started Kings League in Spain in 2023, and after a successful first launch has since expanded to other leagues worldwide including Italy, Brazil, Japan, France, Germany, Hispanic America, and the US.

On how he envisions the Kings League gaming community to look like in the MENA region, Pique told Arab News: 鈥淰ery young, very motivated, very committed to the product and the project.

鈥淚鈥檓 sure that there will be a lot of intensity, a lot of clashes (between streamer fans), this is what we want.

鈥淲e want them to care and want to win, and that they dedicate everything they have to winning.鈥

The unconventional seven-a-side football game was designed with younger audiences in mind, adding more creativity and free reign with secret weapons or 鈥済olden cards,鈥 unlimited substitutions, sin bins, and penalty shoot-outs after every draw.

Kings League was also created in a way that brings together fans with their most beloved content creators and streamers taking the role of team presidents in each region.

The MENA teams and their presidents were announced to be SXB FC, led by Ahmed Alqahtani from 黑料社区, Ultra Chmicha led by Morroccan Ilyas Elmaliki, Red Zone led by Jordanian Maher Sultaneh, 3BS led by Jordanian Hani AlQoublam, FWZ FC led by Kuwaiti Fawaz Hamad, Turbo led by Egyptian Saleh Tarboun, and DR7 led by Saudi streamer Mafrah Aseeri.

Elmaliki, Morroco鈥檚 top streamer, was appointed president of Morocco鈥檚 national team in the Kings World Cup Nations held in Italy where his team made it all the way to the semifinals. Ultra Chmicha was later invited by Pique to join the Kings World Cup Clubs 2025 as the first wildcard team.

Alqahtani鈥檚 SXB FC was also picked as a wildcard for the Paris games, and their match against Jijantes FC drew a record breaking 950,000 live viewers, the tournament鈥檚 highest.

鈥淲e have amazing streamers,鈥 Pique said. 鈥淭hey have huge communities that are very loyal to them.鈥

鈥淭hey have to have good players because the level is very high in Kings League. But I know some of them, and I鈥檓 sure that that they will bring a lot of fun, a lot of entertainment and a good level of football.鈥

Fans can now submit their application and try their chance at getting drafted to join one of the official Kings League MENA teams, potentially later qualifying for the Kings World Cup Clubs or represent their country in the Kings World Cup Nations Brazil 2026.

Kings League MENA is a joint venture with SURJ Sports Investment as part of an ongoing effort to expand digital sports and entertainment in the region.

Having visited the Kingdom a few times before with Barcelona for the Spanish Super Cup, Pique also told Arab News that he is always 鈥渧ery happy when I come here.

鈥淭he food is amazing. And I think the people, you are very similar to Spanish people.

鈥淲hen you arrive to the country, everything is very comfortable, so I鈥檓 enjoying it so much.鈥


Team Liquid鈥檚 Manuel Bachoore wins EA Sports FC 25 Tournament at Esports World Cup 2025

Team Liquid鈥檚 Manuel Bachoore wins EA Sports FC 25 Tournament at Esports World Cup 2025
Updated 11 August 2025

Team Liquid鈥檚 Manuel Bachoore wins EA Sports FC 25 Tournament at Esports World Cup 2025

Team Liquid鈥檚 Manuel Bachoore wins EA Sports FC 25 Tournament at Esports World Cup 2025
  • 鈥楳anuBachoore鈥 wins second World Championship title, and Team Liquid make history as first club to secure 3 championships in a single edition of the Esports World Cup

RIYADH: Manuel 鈥淢anuBachoore鈥 Bachoore has won the FC Pro World Championship at the Esports World Cup 2025 for Team Liquid in a 5-3 grand final win against Brice 鈥淏rice鈥 Masson of Team Vitality, picking up Team Liquid鈥檚 third championship title at this year鈥檚 event.

ManuBachoore鈥檚 victory sees him become a two-time champion, having won in 2023. He claimed a top eight finish at the Esports World Cup 2024.

And ever since favorite and world No. 1 Anders 鈥淰ejrgang鈥 Vejrgang was eliminated this year, ManuBachoore has looked like the most likely winner.

ManuBachoore made it to the World Championship stage via the play-ins, where he only dropped one match in the group stage, topping his group. His main event run proved more difficult, with multiple matches being won by just one goal, proving the intensity of the high-level competition.

The Grand Final was a close match, with ManuBachoore鈥檚 signature attacking style on display against his French rival, where goals were traded between the pair.

The final moments proved a tense affair, with ManuBachoore leading by just one goal. However, he was able to score a late goal to make it 5-3, which ended up sealing the championship in his favor.

鈥淚鈥檓 so thankful to God, for me to be two-time World Champion is more than I ever asked for in my career. Honestly, I did not think it was possible to win two times.

鈥淏ut here we are, I can鈥檛 believe it. It feels like a dream. It is my dream. I鈥檓 happy it鈥檚 a reality,鈥 said ManuBachoore.

鈥淚 said in an interview before we started, the first time I did not really realize what I did. Now I realize and enjoy it, I鈥檓 so happy. It鈥檚 a dream. I started in the play-ins, so I came here, not even sure if I would qualify for the tournament.

鈥淚鈥檓 here now with the trophy. I鈥檓 grateful for this dream.鈥

ManuBachoore earned Team Liquid 1,000 Club Championship points for his victory, sending the side firmly to the top of the Club Championship standings.

The victory in EA Sports FC 25 is Team Liquid鈥檚 third title at the Esports World Cup 2025, marking the first time a club has won three titles at the same Esports World Cup.

The result blows the Club Championship wide open, with Team Falcons having just one top-eight finish this weekend, as we head into the final two weeks.

Team Liquid鈥檚 victory in EA Sports FC 25 not only gained them 1,000 Club Championship points, but also denied third-place Team Vitality 250 more crucial points.

Team Vitality remain in third place; however, the strong showing in EA Sports FC 25 has seen them bridge the gap to Team Falcons in second place to just 550 points.

Week six at the Esports World Cup 2025 takes place until Aug. 17 with finals in Teamfight Tactics, Rocket League and Tekken 8.


Japan boxing to hold emergency meeting following deaths

Japan boxing to hold emergency meeting following deaths
Updated 11 August 2025

Japan boxing to hold emergency meeting following deaths

Japan boxing to hold emergency meeting following deaths
  • Japanese boxing officials will hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday as the sport in the country faces intense scrutiny following the deaths of two fighters in separate bouts at the same event

TOKYO: Japanese boxing officials will hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday as the sport in the country faces intense scrutiny following the deaths of two fighters in separate bouts at the same event.

Super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, fought on the same card at Tokyo鈥檚 Korakuen Hall on August 2 and died days later following brain surgery.

The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), gym owners and other boxing officials are under pressure to act and will hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday.

They are also expected to have talks about safety next month, local media said.

鈥淲e are acutely aware of our responsibility as the manager of the sport,鈥 Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the JBC, told reporters on Sunday.

鈥淲e will take whatever measures we can.鈥

Japanese media highlighted the risks of fighters dehydrating to lose weight rapidly before weigh-ins.

鈥淒ehydration makes the brain more susceptible to bleeding,鈥 the Asahi Shimbun newspaper said.

That is one of the issues the JBC plans to discuss with trainers.

鈥淭hey want to hear from gym officials who work closely with the athletes about such items as weight loss methods and pre-bout conditioning, which may be causally related (to fatalities),鈥 the Nikkan Sports newspaper said.

In one immediate measure, the commission has decided to reduce all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title bouts to 10 rounds from 12.

鈥淭he offensive power of Japanese boxing today is tremendous,鈥 Yasukochi was quoted by the Asahi Shimbun as telling reporters.

鈥淲e have more and more boxers who are able to start exchanges of fierce blows from the first round. Maybe 12 rounds can be dangerous.鈥


Pakistan face fifth bowler dilemma ahead of West Indies decider

Pakistan face fifth bowler dilemma ahead of West Indies decider
Updated 11 August 2025

Pakistan face fifth bowler dilemma ahead of West Indies decider

Pakistan face fifth bowler dilemma ahead of West Indies decider
  • Pakistan鈥檚 part-time Saim Ayub, Salman Agha dup conceded combined 66 runs in seven wicketless overs
  • Pakistan, who won preceding T20 series 2-1, are currently tied with West Indies in three-match ODIs 1-1

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan acknowledged a dilemma over the fifth bowler and said they would take a late decision on their team combination for Tuesday鈥檚 series decider following their defeat in the second one-day international on Sunday.

Pakistan, who won the opening ODI by five wickets, posted a competitive 171-7 in 37 overs in a rain-truncated match but West Indies prevailed by five wickets to draw level in the three-match series.

Pakistan鈥檚 part-time duo of Saim Ayub and Salman Agha conceded a combined 66 runs in seven wicketless overs as West Indies cruised home.

鈥淵ou could say our fifth bowler gave away too many runs but in recent years, Salman Agha and Saim Ayub have both bowled well for us,鈥 Rizwan said after the match.

鈥淪aim didn鈥檛 have the best day today, but he performed well in the T20Is. That鈥檚 just part of the game.鈥

Rizwan said they could not read the conditions and several rain delays did not help their cause.

鈥淗onestly, the weather forecast has been completely different from expectations, and it鈥檚 hard to read.

鈥淲e鈥檙e keeping our options open and will finalize the XI after assessing the conditions.鈥

Pakistan had won the preceding Twenty20 series 2-1. 


West Indies level series with 5-wicket win over Pakistan in second ODI

West Indies level series with 5-wicket win over Pakistan in second ODI
Updated 11 August 2025

West Indies level series with 5-wicket win over Pakistan in second ODI

West Indies level series with 5-wicket win over Pakistan in second ODI
  • Roston Chase鈥檚 49 not out off 47 balls included two sixes, winning boundary as West Indies scored 184-5 in 33.2 overs
  • Pakistan won preceding T20 series 2-1, third and final match in ODI series is scheduled for Tuesday at the same stadium

TAROUBA, Trinidad and Tobago: Roston Chase and Justin Greaves led West Indies to a five-wicket victory over Pakistan with 10 balls to spare in the rain-reduced second one-day cricket international on Sunday, leveling the three-match series at 1-1.

Chase鈥檚 49 not out off 47 balls included two sixes and the winning boundary as West Indies scored 184-5 in 33.2 overs.

The hosts were chasing a revised target of 181 runs in 35 overs under the DLS method after multiple rain interruptions saw Pakistan鈥檚 innings end at 171-7 in 37 overs. Right-arm fast bowler Jayden Seales took 3-23 in seven overs.

West Indies stumbled from 101-3 after 18 overs at Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago, to 111-5 off 24 overs, including the wicket of Sherfane Rutherford, who hit a 33-ball 45 with three sixes and four fours.

Chase and Greaves (26 off 31) shared a 77-run unbroken partnership for the sixth wicket.

West Indies earlier chose to bowl first and Hasan Nawaz again played a key role for Pakistan with 36 not out off 30 deliveries, after his unbeaten 63 in the ODI opener.

Hasan鈥檚 knock on Sunday included three sixes 鈥 two of them in what turned out to be the last over of Pakistan鈥檚 innings after more rain. Hussain Talat got 31 off 32 balls but most Pakistan batters were much slower, including captain Mohammad Rizwan who was trapped lbw by Gudakesh Motie for a 38-ball 16.

Pakistan beat West Indies in the first one-day international on Friday, also by five wickets.

The third and final match in the ODI series is scheduled for Tuesday at the same stadium.

Pakistan won the preceding Twenty20 series 2-1 played in Florida.