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From Europe to Arabia: Soccer’s Shifting Sway

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This summer, Saudi Arabia is bringing in some of the most talented players in world football, with many players joining from major European leagues. The moves made by former Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo and former Real Madrid attacker Karim Benzema could mark the beginning of a new era in the Saudi league. However, a major unanswered question remains: why are Saudi leagues signing numerous top players from European leagues?

Sports analysts argue that the nation’s economy needs diversification as it heavily relies on oil sales for revenue. To achieve this, the nation’s sovereign wealth investment fund, the PIF, is being utilized. There is a particular interest in expanding the sports industry, including the football league, to develop a thriving leisure and entertainment sector. Saudi Arabia aims to capitalize on the significant interest in football among its population, which consists of 70% of individuals under the age of 40.

According to Sky Sports, Saudi Arabia had the most dedicated supporters at the Qatar World Cup last year, and their team even defeated the eventual winners, Argentina, in the group stages. Football enjoys immense popularity in Saudi Arabia, and investing in the sport is seen as a means to boost tourism.

Some notable names that have joined the Saudi leagues include Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United, Karim Benzema from Real Madrid, N’Golo Kanté from Chelsea, RúbenNeves from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Roberto Firmino from Liverpool, Edouard Mendy from Chelsea, Jota from Celtic, Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea, Marcelo Brozović from Inter Milan, and Sergej Milinković-Savić from Lazio. The transfer activity is expected to continue until the summer transfer window is closed.

Entertainment

Formula One’s Max Verstappen To Welcome First Baby With Kelly Piquet

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Max Verstappen and his partner, Kelly Piquet, are expecting their first child together.

The 27-year-old Formula One champion and the 35-year-old model, who is the daughter of former F1 driver Nelson Piquet, shared the joyful news on Instagram with a photo of their hands on Kelly’s baby bump.

The caption read, “Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way. We couldn’t be happier with our little miracle.”

Kelly later expressed gratitude for the supportive messages and acknowledged that such announcements can be difficult for those longing for children. In her Instagram Story, she wrote, “While this news is a joyous occasion, I know it can also evoke sadness or frustration for some. Sending love and magic your way.”

The couple has been together since late 2020 and publicly confirmed their relationship in January 2021.

Kelly has a five-year-old daughter, Penelope, from her previous relationship with F1 driver Daniil Kyvat.

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Kenya Sevens: Time & Where to Watch as Shujaa Begin Olympics Campaign in Paris

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The 2024 Paris Olympics will begin competitions on Wednesday, July 24, ahead of the Opening Ceremony on July 26.

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony will take place on July 26 and It will be the first Olympic Opening Ceremony held outside a stadium, with about 10,500 athletes parading through Paris on boats along the Seine.

Shujaa, Kenya’s national rugby sevens team, will be the first Kenyan team in action at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Here’s what you need to know and how you can catch them in action at the Stade de France.

Schedule and Matches

– Wednesday, July 24

  – Argentina vs Kenya (5 pm Kenyan time)

    – The Argentines, who topped last season’s World Sevens Series standings, will provide a significant challenge for Kenya, who played in the second-tier Challenger Series in 2024. Historically, Argentina has had the upper hand, but Shujaa must win to avoid early elimination.

  – Australia vs Samoa (8 pm Kenyan time)

    – Australia finished fourth in the World Series, making this another tough match. A positive result here could boost their confidence for the final group game.

What Else to Know

The rugby sevens ranking matches and finals will take place on July 27. Per International Olympic Committee rules, no medals are awarded and no athletes are eliminated before the opening ceremony.

Where to Watch

You can watch the matches live on SuperSport TV and KBC

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Arsenal’s 2024/25 Away Kit: A Fusion of Culture And Fashion

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Arsenal and Adidas have unveiled the club’s 2024/25 away kit, designed in collaboration with LABRUM London, the fashion brand by Sierra Leone-born Foday Dumbuya.

This new kit, primarily for away games, celebrates Arsenal’s connection to the Black diaspora.

The jersey features a black base with a hand-drawn zig-zag graphic symbolizing the flow and movement of people, inspired by African fabric patterns. The collar and shoulders are adorned with green and red stripes, representing pan-Africanism.

In addition to the jersey, Labrum and Adidas released a five-piece capsule collection including two jackets, a tee, a jumper, and track pants. Each item showcases a reworked Labrum London logo with the ‘Nomoli’ icon, symbolizing protection and prosperity from Sierra Leone’s Mende and Kissi tribes.

Dumbuya, who merges West African heritage with Western tailoring, has guided Labrum London to significant acclaim since its founding a decade ago.

This new Arsenal kit marks Labrum’s second collaboration with Adidas this summer, following the design of Sierra Leone’s Olympic uniforms for Paris 2024, continuing their partnership from the 2020 Olympics.

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