Latest news with #AlNassrClub
Arab News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Kariman Abuljadayel becomes Al-Nassr's first cross-country skier
JEDDAH: Saudi Olympian Kariman Abuljadayel has made history once again, this time by becoming the first cross-country skier to join Al-Nassr Club, the first Saudi sports club to officially add a winter sport to its roster. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The pioneering athlete signed a contract on Wednesday, marking a new chapter in her sporting journey and a bold step for winter sports in the Kingdom. 'This truly feels like a new chapter for me as well,' Abuljadayel told Arab News. 'I first tried cross-country skiing back in 2019 in St. Moritz, Switzerland, as a form of endurance training during winter — not knowing that a few years down the road it would become my main sport.' From representing Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom's first female sprinter at the Rio 2016 Olympics to co-founding the Saudi Rowing Federation, Abuljadayel is no stranger to breaking boundaries. Her move to Al-Nassr continues that legacy. 'I've learned what it takes to help build a new sport from the ground up in the Kingdom,' she said. 'This time, it's cross-country skiing, and I'm excited not only by the sport itself but also by the incredible culture around it. My hope is to inspire more women in Saudi Arabia to get involved, and to ensure that this journey is inclusive — welcoming para-athletes and creating opportunities for everyone to be part of this pioneering movement.' Abuljadayel famously competed in the 100m at Rio 2016, finishing seventh in her heat. That same year she raced in the 60m at the World Athletics Championships in Portland, USA. Afterward, she pivoted to rowing and was selected to represent the Saudi national team. Now focused on cross-country skiing, Abuljadayel acknowledged the challenges of training for a winter sport in a desert climate — but sees opportunity rather than limitation. 'Al-Nassr Club is making history as the first in Saudi Arabia to add a winter sport and I'm honored to lead the way. Living in Riyadh, I want to show people that you don't need year-round snow to pursue this sport,' she said. 'Most professional skiers train on roller skis during the summer, which closely replicate skiing on snow.' She pointed to Riyadh's Sport Boulevard project, a major new development featuring car-free paths for sports and outdoor activities, as an ideal venue for roller-ski training. 'You can often find me training there. Every time, people stop to ask what sport I'm doing, which shows just how much curiosity and excitement there is. I truly believe Riyadh has huge potential to become a real training hub for cross-country skiing.' Abuljadayel now hopes to grow the sport through local events, workshops and community training sessions. 'I want to raise awareness, spark interest and inspire more people to discover this unique sport — and to see that it's possible right here at home,' she said. Looking ahead, Abuljadayel has her sights firmly set on the Olympic Games. 'This is such an exciting time to be part of cross-country skiing and winter sports in Saudi Arabia, especially with the Asian Winter Games coming to Trojena, NEOM, in 2029,' she said. 'By representing Saudi Arabia in winter sports, I also get to highlight the incredible diversity of my country's landscape — deserts, seas, mountains, and yes, even snow. Not many countries can say that, and it's something I'm truly proud to share through this journey.'
Saudi Gazette
25-06-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Al Nassr part ways with head coach Pioli after one season
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Al Nassr Club officially announced on Wednesday the departure of Italian head coach Stefano Pioli after just one season in charge, following a third-place finish in the Saudi Pro League. In a brief statement shared on social media, the club said: 'Al Nassr Club Company announces the official termination of the contractual relationship with head coach Stefano Pioli.' Pioli's stint in Riyadh ended without silverware, with the team falling short in all domestic competitions. Al Nassr have now gone without a league title since 2019 and last lifted the King's Cup in 1990. Their most recent trophy remains the Saudi Super Cup in January 2021. Al Nassr's management has agreed to pay the remaining €11 million of Pioli's contract in instalments, following a mutual understanding with the coach, who did not oppose leaving the club's technical committee, led by Spanish director Fernando Hierro, is currently reviewing several coaching profiles.
Saudi Gazette
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Duran leads Al Nassr past Yokohama Marinos into AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Al Nassr Club stormed into the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2025 with a commanding 4-1 victory over Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday. Jhon Duran starred with a brace while Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane added a goal each, setting up a last-four showdown against either Kawasaki Frontale or Al Sadd SC on Wednesday. After a quiet opening, Al Nassr sparked into life midway through the first half. Marcelo Brozovic tested Park Il-gyu early, but the breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Sadio Mane's cross caused chaos, with Thomas Deng's miskick hitting the post before Duran pounced on the rebound to open the scoring. The Saudi side doubled their advantage four minutes later. A surging run by Otavio created space, and Mane finished calmly to make it 2-0. Al Nassr continued their dominance, and Ronaldo smashed home a rebound in the 38th minute after Brozovic's deflected shot was parried away by Park, taking Ronaldo's tally to eight goals for the head coach Patrick Kisnorbo made attacking changes at halftime, but Al Nassr struck again just three minutes into the second half. Ali Hassan's curling shot was palmed away by Park, only for Duran to react quickest and slot home his second of the pulled one back in the 53rd minute when Anderson Lopes teed up Kouta Watanabe to fire past Bento Krepski. However, any hopes of a comeback faded when Watanabe was sent off in the 73rd minute for a second yellow card after a foul on Aiman Nassr comfortably managed the closing stages to secure their spot in the semi-finals.
Saudi Gazette
18-02-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Nassr hold Persepolis to goalless draw, leaving Iranian side's knockout hopes in doubt
TEHRAN — A much-rotated Al Nassr Club held Persepolis to a goalless draw on Monday, leaving the Iranian side's AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 knockout stage hopes hanging in the balance. The draw moved Persepolis into eighth place in the West Zone standings, but their fate remains uncertain, with Qatar's Al Gharafa and fellow Iranian side Esteghlal FC poised to overtake them if they secure wins in their final group-stage matches. Persepolis aimed for a strong start, encouraged by the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Duran from Al Nassr's matchday squad, while stars Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte started on the home side's early intent was evident when Milad Mohammadi surged forward from the left-back position in the eighth minute, delivering a low cross that Farshad Ahmadzadeh narrowly missed at the far post, with Al Nassr goalkeeper Raghid Najjar unable to react. Despite Persepolis' energetic start, Al Nassr gradually gained control, with Marcelo Brozovic dictating play in Iranian side, however, regained momentum towards the end of the first half, with Mohammad Khodabandelho forcing Najjar into a diving save in the 34th minute, while Hossein Kanani and Omid Alishah saw their attempts easily dealt with as the match remained scoreless at halftime. The second half was slow to ignite, with the wet conditions at Azadi Stadium creating an opening for Serdar Dusun, who failed to capitalize after Brozovic slipped in possession. Al Nassr nearly took the lead minutes later when Angelo was played through on goal, but Persepolis goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz reacted swiftly to block the initial attempt before securing the loose ball ahead of Brozovic. Persepolis struggled to create further clear-cut chances, leaving their progression in the tournament uncertain as they now await results from their West Zone rivals.
