��������

JEDDAH: Jameel Motorsport has announced its entry in Extreme E and the FIA Extreme H World Cup. Behind the wheel will be one of the most successful driver pairings in Extreme E history, Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor.

The championship’s first and only ��������n team, Team Jameel Motorsport, will be competing in both Extreme competitions, beginning with Extreme E’s Final Lap (Oct. 4-5) before the FIA Extreme H World Cup presented by PIF launches in Qiddiya City the following week (Oct. 9-11).

Officially launched in December 2023, Jameel Motorsport has steadily built a name for itself ever since, establishing Rally Jameel, the first off-road navigation rally for women in the Middle East; supporting the Saudi Toyota Championship, the biggest motorsport championship in the region; and other grassroots racing programs such as the GR Saudi Driving School.

Jameel Motorsport sponsors Yazeed Al-Rajhi, part of the Overdrive Racing team, who won the 2025 Dakar Rally — the first time a ��������n team has won the famous event. Its entry into Extreme E and Extreme H with Hansen and Taylor reflects Jameel Motorsport’s commitment to innovation and competition and provides a strong addition to its long list of achievements so far.

In addition to this, Jameel Motorsport is advancing sustainable motorsport through a sponsorship with ROOKIE Racing, which fosters Saudi talent and inclusivity, while winning international marketing and digital innovation awards in the process.

Munir Khoja, managing director of Jameel Motorsport, said: “Joining Extreme E and the FIA Extreme H World Cup marks a bold move for Jameel Motorsport, demonstrating our dedication to innovation, sustainability, and the thrill of competition. This collaboration aligns perfectly with ��������’s Vision 2030, advancing a vibrant society and a thriving economy through cutting-edge motorsport.

“We remain committed to supporting the growth of motorsport locally and globally as well as positioning �������� as a leader in sustainable motorsport.”

Hansen is one of rallycross’s biggest stars. The young Swede won the 2016 European Rallycross title and has finished in the top three in the FIA World Rallycross Championship three times — he was third in 2019 and runner-up in 2023 and 2024, with four event victories to his name in the series too. Hansen also won the second Nitro Rallycross competition at the 2019 Nitro World Games, and with five Extreme E victories to date, is the series’ second-most-successful male driver.

“To be part of Jameel Motorsport’s debut in Extreme E and Extreme H is a huge honor,” Hansen said. “Molly and I have shared so many battles and victories together, and now we get the chance to represent the first ��������n team in this new chapter of sustainable motorsport. Competing in ��������, with its deep commitment to innovation with Vision 2030, makes this even more special. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel and help write the next page in Extreme history.”

Taylor made her name in rallying. The Australian was the 2009 and 2010 ladies champion in the British Rally Championship, and has three titles in her native country, taking the T16 crown in the Australian Rally Championship in 2007 and 2008, and the overall crown in 2016. Taylor is also an Extreme E champion, having won Season 1 with Johan Kristoffersson for Rosberg X Racing, and with eight X Prix wins under her belt, she is the series’ most successful female driver.

“This is such an exciting step, both to be back racing with Kevin and to join Jameel Motorsport as they enter Extreme E and Extreme H,” Taylor said. “From Day 1, Extreme racing has been about proving what’s possible in sport, technology, and sustainability, and to now be part of the first Saudi team on the grid is a privilege. Racing in Qiddiya City, against the backdrop of the Tuwaiq Mountains, will be an unforgettable way to launch this next era.”

Alejandro Agag, founder and CEO of Extreme E and Extreme H, said he was “delighted” to welcome Jameel Motorsport to Extreme E and Extreme H as the first ever ��������n team.

“Jameel Motorsport’s proven record in developing motorsport at every level, from grassroots initiatives to world-class competitions like Dakar Rally and Rally Raid, along with their leadership in advancing female talent through drivers such as Dania Akeel, reflects our own mission to push boundaries and inspire change,” he said. “With Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor, two of the most successful drivers in Extreme E history, this team is perfectly placed to make an immediate impact.”

Qiddiya City is the world’s first city built entirely for play, where entertainment, sport, and culture converge. The race will take place with the dramatic backdrop of the Tuwaiq Mountains, close to the site currently being transformed to become a world-leading motorsport venue.

The FIA Extreme H World Cup presented by PIF will be the first international race event to use hydrogen-powered vehicles; marking a new future for motorsport, defined by cutting-edge technology and bold ambition.

DUBAI: The inaugural season of Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, edged closer with the announcement that tickets are now on sale. The competition will feature Baseball United’s four founding franchises — Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Arabia Wolves, and Mid East Falcons — playing a total of 21 games in 30 days at Baseball United Ballpark at The Sevens in Dubai.

The season will begin with a three-game series between Mumbai and Karachi on Nov. 14, 15 and 16, and conclude with a best-of-three championship series on Dec. 12, 13 and 14 (if necessary). Dubai’s home team, the Wolves, play their first game on Nov. 18 against the Cobras.

The teams feature top professional players from 25 countries, including Japan, Philippines, Canada, Mexico, India, Pakistan, Germany, and the United States. Players have competed in top leagues such as Major League Baseball and the Nippon Professional Baseball League, and several were part of Baseball United’s previous events in Dubai over the past two years.

“After more than three years of building and so much work from so many people, we are finally ready for Season One,” said Kash Shaikh, chairman, CEO, and co-founder, Baseball United. “Each event we’ve hosted here in Dubai has gotten bigger and bigger, as more and more fans continue to fall in love with the ballpark experience. The grandstands at our games are full of families from all over the world, with a mix of new fans and longtime baseball lovers.

“We are grateful for the support from the community here in Dubai and across the GCC, and hope to host even more people at Baseball United Ballpark.”

Ticket prices range from 49 UAE dirhams ($13) for general admission seating, to 119 dirhams ($32) for reserved diamond club seating behind home plate. The games include a full food and beverage experience, with several local and international food vendors, and numerous bars.

Games will be played every day except Monday, with reduced pricing on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Following last month’s pre-sale, limited tickets remain for the opening weekend series between Mumbai and Karachi.

The league will also take a short break during the National Day holiday, with promotional activities scheduled in partnership with Emirates Dubai 7s. The season’s full schedule is available on baseballunited.com.

Baseball United was co-founded by Shaikh and several MLB legends, including Hall of Famers Barry Larkin, Mariano Rivera, and Adrian Beltre. The league’s February event averaged nearly four million viewers per game. Season One will be broadcast internationally, with official partners announced later this month.

Tickets for Baseball United Season One are on sale now exclusively on the District by Zomato app