Latest news with #SaudiGazette
Saudi Gazette
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Ittihad end six-year wait to reclaim King's Cup crown
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Al Ittihad brought the King's Cup back to their trophy cabinet for the first time since 2018 with a 3-1 win over Al Qadsiah on Friday night at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, in front of a packed stadium led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who presented the cup to team captain Karim Benzema. The victory secured Ittihad's 10th title in the competition's history, reaffirming their legacy in one of Saudi football's most prestigious tournaments. It marked a triumphant return to form for the Jeddah-based club, which had endured a six-year drought marked by managerial instability and fluctuating form. Founded in 1927, Ittihad has been intertwined with the history of the King's Cup, winning its first title in 1958. Through eras of dominance and reinvention, the club has consistently remained a powerhouse, from its golden run in the 1990s to this current resurgence under head coach Laurent year's campaign culminated in a powerful final performance, with the squad — featuring global stars like Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Moussa Diaby — showing cohesion, composure, and who took over at the start of the season, crafted a balanced squad that blended veteran leadership with youthful atmosphere in Jeddah was electric as tens of thousands filled the stands, with Al Ittihad fans providing deafening support chants echoed as the team lifted the cup in a sea of black and yellow, marking a night to remember for the Tigers title follows Ittihad's Saudi Pro League triumph earlier in the season and sets the stage for another ambitious campaign — both domestically and on the continental stage — with the club eyeing further silverware and a return to its dominant best.
Saudi Gazette
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Benzema steals the show as Al Ittihad lift King's Cup in Jeddah
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — On a golden night in Jeddah, Karim Benzema capped off a stellar season by being named Best Player of the 2025 King's Cup final after leading Al Ittihad to a 3-1 victory over Al Qadsiah. The French striker was instrumental at King Abdullah Sports City, scoring twice to secure the title for Al Ittihad in front of 60,000 fans. His smart movement and experience were on full display in one of the club's biggest games of the season. The award, presented by the Saudi National Bank—the official sponsor of the tournament—highlighted Benzema's decisive impact on the match as well as his consistency throughout the campaign. Just days after lifting the Saudi Pro League trophy, Benzema added another honor to his impressive debut season in Saudi Arabia, delivering a title, a goal, and a standout performance on the Kingdom's biggest football stage.
Saudi Gazette
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Crown Prince awards King's Cup to Al Ittihad after 3-1 victory over Al Qadsiah
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman presented Al Ittihad with the King's Cup trophy on Friday night following their 3-1 win over Al Qadsiah in the final at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. In front of a packed crowd of 60,000, Al Ittihad secured their second trophy of the season with a dominant performance, led by French captain Karim Benzema, who scored twice on the night. Benzema opened the scoring in the 34th minute before midfielder Houssem Aouar added a second just nine minutes later. Benzema struck again in stoppage time to put the match beyond doubt. Al Qadsiah managed a consolation goal through a penalty converted by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in first-half added time. Al Qadsiah's hopes of a comeback faded late in the match when Argentine midfielder Ezequiel Fernández was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. The victory marks Al Ittihad's 10th King's Cup title overall and their sixth under the updated official count of domestic competitions. It also caps a remarkable season for the Jeddah-based club, who earlier clinched the Saudi Pro League title ahead of rivals Al Hilal. The win cements Al Ittihad's dominance in domestic football this season, with Benzema's leadership and goalscoring proving pivotal in both title runs.
Saudi Gazette
12 hours ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Islamic economy originated in Madinah, says Abdullah Saleh Kamel at Istanbul summit attended by Erdoğan
Saudi Gazette report ISTANBUL — The second Global Islamic Economy Summit kicked off in Istanbul on Friday in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Organized by the Al Baraka Forum for Islamic Economy, the summit runs until Sunday and gathers a distinguished group of policymakers, economists, and thought leaders from around the world. During the opening session, Abdullah Saleh Kamel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Al Baraka Forum, emphasized that the foundations of the modern Islamic economy were laid in Madinah, and that Saudi Arabia played a key role early on in institutionalizing this values-driven model based on Islamic principles and social noted that the first sessions of the Al Baraka Forum were held in Madinah over 50 years ago, marking the beginning of an integrated Islamic economic called for Saudi Arabia to further its strategic leadership in this space amid the accelerating shifts in the global economic also highlighted the importance of investing in Islamic finance tools such as zakat, waqf, sukuk, and qard hasan (benevolent loans), which he said now represent realistic solutions for addressing development crises and promoting social and financial Al Baraka Forum for Islamic Economy is an independent, non-profit intellectual platform aimed at developing an economic model based on Islamic holds annual international gatherings that bring together economic and intellectual leaders to enrich Islamic economic research and knowledge frameworks.
Saudi Gazette
13 hours ago
- Health
- Saudi Gazette
SFDA CEO reviews Hajj readiness and AI-powered safety protocols in Makkah
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — As part of Saudi Arabia's preparations to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims during Hajj 2025, Dr. Hisham Aljadhey, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), conducted a field tour of SFDA operations in Makkah. The visit focused on evaluating the readiness of regulatory services and the implementation of the Authority's operational plans for the pilgrimage season. Dr. Aljadhey emphasized to SFDA inspectors and monitors the critical importance of safeguarding the food and medicine consumed by pilgrims. He commended the dedication of teams deployed across all sites under SFDA's jurisdiction, describing their work as a national duty and an honor in service to the guests of the Holy Mosque. The tour included a visit to the SFDA's Hajj Operations Center, where Aljadhey reviewed real-time coordination with other government agencies, inspection monitoring procedures, and support systems in place for field teams. Officials demonstrated the use of advanced tools, including body-worn cameras, smart sensors, and digital inspection systems integrated with artificial intelligence, which help enhance regulatory efficiency and ensure the safety of products distributed during Hajj. Aljadhey also inspected SFDA's base in the regulatory zone of the Holy Sites area, which oversees surveillance of food factories and storage facilities. Field teams presented procedures for collecting food samples and sending them for lab testing to verify safety standards, using digital platforms that support traceability and rapid data analysis. The tour continued with a visit to Mina's Emergency Hospital, where Dr. Aljadhey met with Dr. Abdullah Al-Algwizani, CEO of the Public Health Authority 'Weqaya.' Discussions focused on collaborative efforts between the two entities to strengthen public health protections for pilgrims. At the National Health Emergency and Crisis Management Center, Aljadhey was briefed on integrated efforts by various health and regulatory authorities. He stressed the significance of coordination in managing health emergencies and enhancing regulatory effectiveness throughout the Hajj season. The SFDA teams showcased cutting-edge analytical and AI tools deployed to bolster public health oversight and ensure that all food and drug products meet stringent safety requirements, reinforcing the Authority's role in supporting a safe and seamless pilgrimage.
