Summer Camp Returns at Emirates Park Zoo & Resort

A unique experience where children learn about wildlife and connect with nature Abu Dhabi, June 16, 2026: Emirates Park Zoo & Resort announces its ‘Future Heroes Summer Camp’, a unique summer experience designed to inspire curiosity, learning, and active engagement during the school break. Designed for children aged 4 to 14 years, the camp allows them … Continue reading Summer Camp Returns at Emirates Park Zoo & Resort →

Doha, Qatar: Alkrar (Azadi) claimed his first victory at the highest level by winning the Gr.1 (PA) Al Rayyan Cup while HM Alchahine (Al Mourtajez) claimed the Gr.1 (PA) Doha Cup (Prix Manganate) in thrilling action at Deauville in France yesterday.

Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiya and QREC Board Member Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Attiyah presented the trophies for the QREC-sponsored Al Rayyan Cup (Prix Kesberoy) and Doha Cup (Prix Manganate). mwafrika.life

Their presentation crowned a stellar afternoon of Group 1 PA action across the two contests staged at Deauville.

Alkrar remains unbeaten

Alkrar (Azadi), the unbeaten three-year-old colt - bred by Al Wasmiyah Racing - claimed his first victory at the highest level by winning the Gr.1 (PA) Al Rayyan Cup – Prix Kesberoy over 2000m.

The race was contested by a field of four runners, comprising three colts and one filly. The race was reserved for three-year-old Purebred Arabians.

Trained by François Rohaut, ridden by Christophe Soumillon and owned and bred by Al Wasmiyah Racing, the homebred colt maintained his perfect record with a determined performance.QREC Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiya presented the trophies to the connections of Alkrar, winners of the Gr.1 Al Rayyan Cup.

Alkrar came into the race unbeaten in two previous starts. He made a successful debut over 1600m at La Teste, winning comfortably, before confirming his potential on his second appearance by taking a Gr.3 (PA) contest over 1900m at the same racecourse. His victory at Deauville therefore marked his third success from three starts and his first at Gr.1 (PA) level.

Alkrar broke very well from the stalls but was immediately taken back by Christophe Soumillon to settle in third position, just behind Balsam (Mister Ginoux). Zahim (Al Mamun Monlau) led the field in a single-file formation, followed by Balsam in second, Alkrar in third, and Npedor De Bozouls at the rear.

With the runners travelling at an even tempo, the order remained unchanged throughout most of the race. Leaving the final turn, Christophe Soumillon made an early move aboard Alkrar and quickly sent him forward to join Balsam at the head of the field. The two runners soon pulled clear of the other runners, but Balsam continued to offer strong resistance as they approached the final 200m. In a thrilling finish, Alkrar found something extra under pressure and gradually gained the advantage, eventually prevailing by three-quarters of a length. Balsam finished second, with Zahim taking third.

HM Alchahine claims fourth Gr.1 victory

HM Alchahine, Bred by H. Mousli and Mme N. Mousalli, claimed the fourth Gr.1 (PA) victory of his career by winning the Gr.1 (PA) Doha Cup over 2000m. The race was reserved for four-year-old and older Purebred Arabians and attracted a strong field of seven runners. Trained by Mme Jean-François Bernard, ridden by Cristian Demuro, and owned by Helal Alalawi, HM Alchahine produced an impressive turn of foot to win once again at the highest level.

HM Alchahine and jockey Cristian Demuro on their way to win the Doha Cup.

The six-year-old colt came into the race following an excellent seasonal reappearance at La Teste the previous month, when he finished third in the Gr.2 (PA) Prix Deryan over 1900m.

As is often the case, HM Alchahine was settled at the rear of the field during the early stages. Romeo At (Af Al Buraq) immediately took the lead and set a good tempo, with Al Theeb racing in second position and Laffan in third.

At the back of the field, HM Alchahine travelled comfortably and switched off under Cristian Demuro.QREC Board Member Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Attiyah with the connections of HM Alchahine after the Helal Alalawi-owned colt won the Doha Cup. Pictures: scoopdyga

Leaving the final turn, Romeo At kicked clear and lifted the pace. Al Theeb was quickly placed under pressure and was unable to follow the leader’s acceleration. However, HM Alchahine began to make rapid progress on the far outside.

HM Alchahine produced a devastating turn of foot to sweep past the entire field. Only Laffan was able to give chase, but he could not match the winner’s acceleration. HM Alchahine continued strongly to win by one and a half lengths, with Laffan finishing second and Romeo At holding on for third. Bred by H. Mousli and Mme N. Mousalli, HM Alchahine is out of Al Chyhanah.

Al Ahly named Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta as first-team manager after ending Jess Thorup’s tenure earlier this month.

Al Ahly announced the appointment of Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta as manager of the first football team, replacing Danish coach Jess Thorup.

The club’s board approved Ammouta’s appointment during a meeting chaired by president Mahmoud El-Khatib. His contract is set to run for two seasons.

Ammouta’s last job was with Emirati club Al Jazira. He previously coached Jordan, Morocco’s local national team and Wydad Casablanca.

He is expected to arrive in Cairo soon to begin preparations for next season. Al Ahly will hold a press conference to introduce him.

Jess Thorup left Al Ahly by mutual consent earlier this month after a below-par season. He had taken charge in October on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The Danish coach won the Egyptian Super Cup, but Al Ahly finished third in the league, missed out on next season’s CAF Champions League, and exited the current edition at the quarter-final stage.

Ammouta arrives with experience in African and Asian football. He led Wydad Casablanca to the 2017 CAF Champions League title, won the African Nations Championship with Morocco’s local national team, and guided Jordan to the 2023 Asian Cup final.

The post Al Ahly Appoint Hussein Ammouta as Manager appeared first on KingFut.

Doha, Qatar: Qatar SC have completed a productive pre-season training camp in Murcia, Spain, as they continue preparations for the 2026-2027 campaign, while Al Arabi boosted confidence with a victory over Saudi Arabia’s Al Fateh in Marbella.

Qatar SC’s overseas camp, which ran from July 15 to July 31, formed a key part of the club’s build-up to the new season, during which they will compete in both domestic and Gulf competitions.

Under head coach Marquez Lopez, the squad focused on tactical, technical and physical development through intensive training sessions, while also working on integrating several new signings into the team.Al Arabi players celebrate after scoring a goal during the friendly against Al Fateh.

The Kings played four friendly matches during the camp, opening with a commanding 5-0 victory over Futbol Jobs before drawing 2-2 with Malaysia’s Johor FC.

They were then held to a goalless draw by Spanish side Club Costa City before concluding the tour with a 3-0 defeat to fellow Spanish club UCAM Murcia.

Despite the mixed results, the friendlies provided valuable opportunities to assess combinations, improve match fitness and fine-tune preparations ahead of what promises to be a demanding season.

Qatar SC finished sixth in last season’s Qatar Stars League (QSL) standings with 32 points after recording nine wins, five draws and eight defeats. The club has strengthened its squad with the arrivals of Brazilian midfielder Bruno Tabata, Spanish duo Pau Prim and Albert Luque, along with Abdullah Al Marafi, as it looks to challenge more strongly in the new campaign.

The Kings will begin their QSL season against Al Wakrah at Lusail Stadium on August 20 before turning their attention to the Gulf Clubs Champions League, where they hope to make a strong impression.

Meanwhile, Al Arabi returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Saudi Pro League side Al Fateh in their third pre-season friendly in Marbella, Spain.

Spanish duo Rodri Sanchez and Pablo Sarabia were on target as Al Arabi responded positively after a 4-1 defeat to Neom in their previous outing. The team had opened its training camp with a convincing 3-0 win over Gibraltar’s Lions Gibraltar.

With two wins from three friendlies, Al Arabi’s preparations remain on track as the coaching staff continue building fitness, tactical cohesion and momentum ahead of the new season.

Kansas City: Lionel Messi saluted a "beautiful moment" after becoming the World Cup's joint all-time leading goalscorer in his record-breaking sixth finals appearance on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old Argentina captain etched another memorable chapter in his glittering career with a brilliant hat-trick in the South Americans' 3-0 win over Algeria at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium.

Messi's hat-trick -- his first ever in the World Cup -- vaulted him alongside Germany's Miroslav Klose as the top scorer in the tournament's history with 16 goals.

"To enjoy this with my family, with my teammates, the ones who are always there, is a really beautiful moment," Inter Miami star Messi said afterwards. "I'm happy."

Messi's razor-sharp eye for goal augurs well for Argentina's hopes of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cup titles.

"The squad, it's a very united, very strong group," Messi said.

"I feel good; we were lucky enough to win a tough match. It's important to start off with a win in the first game.

"I'm grateful to the fans, because once again they've shown that Argentina is crazy about this -- we packed the stadium again."

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni meanwhile said he no longer has "the words to describe Messi."

"For 20 years, he's had us used to seeing things like this, and he inspires everyone who watches him play," Scaloni said of Messi's performance.

Scaloni is now targeting Argentina's second Group J game against Austria on Monday as the South Americans look to lock up their place in the knockout rounds.

"We're going to take it one game at a time. The team is happy; we gave playing time to a lot of players," Scaloni said.

"Hopefully we can win the next one so everyone can be in the third group stage match."