Latest news with #TurkiAl-Sheikh


Arab Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kings of tennis return to Riyadh
RIYADH, Aug 7: The announcement by Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, about the second edition of the "Six Kings Slam" tournament as part of Riyadh Season has generated excitement worldwide. Tennis fans will once again turn their eyes to Saudi Arabia's capital, which is gearing up to host one of the sport's premier events from October 15 to 18. The tournament will feature some of the world's top-ranked players according to the latest ATP standings. Last year's tournament made history when Jannik Sinner, currently ranked No. 1 and the Australian Open champion, defeated Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling final. This year, the lineup is even more impressive, with tennis legend Novak Djokovic joining the competition. The Serbian star boasts 24 Grand Slam singles titles. The field will also welcome three newcomers making their tournament debuts: Germany's Alexander Zverev, Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist; Britain's Jack Draper; and America's Taylor Fritz.


Egypt Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Egypt Independent
Egyptian director Amir Ramses questions local industry amid Saudi ‘Riyadh Season' shift
Egyptian director Amir Ramses has commented on the decision by the head of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, Turki Al-Sheikh, to rely on Saudi and Gulf artists for the upcoming Riyadh Season. In a statement on his official Facebook account, Ramses wrote: 'I woke up to a wave of anger over Turki Al-Sheikh's statement about relying on Saudi and Gulf artists in the Riyadh Season… but to be honest, I'm surprised. In the end, it's a natural right for any country to develop its artists and depend on them. 'The real question is: we have the creators, the theaters, the infrastructure, the knowledge, the experience, and the audience… so what's stopping us from doing the same? Why do we depend on others to present what we have? I think we should be angry when we look in the mirror, not when we look at others.' Al-Sheikh had announced that Saudi Arabia would primarily rely on Saudi and Gulf artists for the Riyadh Season, with a few additions of Syrian and international plays. In a post on his Facebook page, he said: 'God willing, in the next Riyadh Season, there will be an almost complete reliance on Saudi and Gulf instrumentalists and musicians for concerts.' He added: 'We will also rely almost completely on Saudi and Gulf plays, with some additions of Syrian and international plays.' Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm


Egypt Independent
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Independent
Photo: ‘7Dogs' teaser unveils its first look at Karim Abdel Aziz, Ahmed Ezz in action-packed thriller
Saudi General Entertainment Authority Chairman, Turki Al-Sheikh, has unveiled the first teaser poster for the upcoming film '7Dogs,' starring Egyptian megastars Karim Abdel Aziz and Ahmed Ezz. The poster features both actors in elegant black suits, holding weapons – signaling the film's action and crime elements. In the background, a famous painting of dogs playing poker is prominently displayed, accompanied by the intriguing tagline: 'Not All Dogs Stay Loyal', hinting that betrayal may be part of the plot. '7Dogs' is written by Mohamed al-Dabbah, with the story by al-Sheikh. It is directed by the internationally recognized duo Adel and Bilal, and produced by al-Sheikh. The film is set to be released in cinemas in 2025. With its substantial budget, it's widely anticipated to be one of the most powerful productions in Arab cinema in recent years. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm


Daily Record
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
WWE and UFC TKO merger tease 'big announcement' as Dana White and Co launch bid to revolutionise boxing
The WWE and UFC merger's parent company, TKO, are hoping to make their mark in the word of boxing very soon TKO chief Nick Khan says that a 'big announcement' is coming soon as the WWE and UFC merger look to make their move into professional boxing. The group was formed in 2023, with the UFC and WWE now falling under the TKO banner. And after their link up with Saudi Minister for Sport Turki Al-Sheikh - who has been responsible for funding and staging some of the biggest fights in boxing in the past two and a half years - TKO are now looking to launch their own boxing league that will see some of the best names in the sport face off against each other. In an appearance on the Bill Simmons podcast, TKO director Khan insists plans are at an advanced stage ahead of their first boxing cards and that an announcement is due in the coming weeks. He said: "Nothing to be acquired. We're going to grow it organically. If we're in mid-April now, I'd look for a big announcement on that in the next 4-6 weeks as to what our first card's going to be and who is going to be on that card. "We want it to be UFC and WWE-like. But you'll see an announcement with more to come. I don't mean to intentionally be cryptic on the whole thing, but we have a plan." TKO's proposal to start a boxing league would completely shake up the whole landscape of the sport. Professional boxers currently compete for world honours in the four major sanctioning bodies, the World Boxing Association (WBA), the World Boxing Council (WBC), the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World Boxing Organisation (WBO). More lightly regarded titles around the world can be won under the banner of organisations such as the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) and the European Boxing Union (EBU). But with the financial might of Al-Sheikh - who has brought mega stars including Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury and Terence Crawford out to fight in the Middle East - TKO are now hoping to revolutionise the way the game is run. However, last month WBO president Mauricio Sulaiman claimed he was not concerned about TKO's potential takoever and insists that added competition can only be good for boxing. He told ESPN: "I have absolutely no concern or no negative views whatsoever [of TKO boxing]. "I think anything that comes into boxing is sensational. ... [Regarding a campaign], I know a lot of people started speculating and finding conspiracy theories or whatever, but absolutely not. "I think the WBC should make its position public, which is [TKO boxing] is a good opportunity because we have always supported any movement, any company, any tournaments that have been put together. "I truly believe that with the multibillion joint venture that is supposed to be TKO and UFC and WWE and what His Excellency has done in just under two years, it should be a great thing for the sport." Dana White has also recently told the same publication that he wants to see professional boxing recognise a single world champion in each weight class, much like the UFC. "It's all going to go away," he stated. "There's going to be one belt. ... It'll be like the UFC. "The model is the model that we have [in UFC]. ... WBC, IBF, WBA, etc., etc. They will deal with those traditional promoters that are out there that exist right now. We're not going to do that. "We're going to have the basic weight classes that started everything. We will have one champion. "And you know how you're going to know who the champion is because they're going to fight their way up through the gauntlet. And once you get into the top five, you know who the five baddest dudes in the heavyweight division are. "And then you'll find out who the champion is. They will defend their titles and that's how it'll work."


Broadcast Pro
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Turki Al-Sheikh announces five new Saudi film productions
Leading the slate is 'Battle of Yarmouk' (Khalid Ibn Al-Walid), an English-language epic chronicling the life of the legendary Arab commander Khalid Ibn Al-Walid. Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), has announced the launch of five major Saudi film productions, all set to be developed to international standards at Riyadh's Big Time Studios. The projects span multiple genres and themes, showcasing the Kingdom's growing ambition to establish itself as a global hub for cinema. Leading the slate is Battle of Yarmouk (Khalid Ibn Al-Walid), an English-language historical epic focused on the life of the iconic Arab military commander Khalid Ibn Al-Walid, with particular emphasis on the pivotal Battle of Yarmouk. The film promises a cinematic blend of global talent and sweeping storytelling, aimed at reaching international audiences. The second film, produced in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense, will spotlight the heroism of the Saudi military through a narrative inspired by true events. Designed to resonate with viewers around the world, the film will emphasise the courage and resilience of the Saudi armed forces. Also among the upcoming productions is a gritty drama centred on the Kingdom's ongoing fight against drug trafficking, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Interior. The film will draw from real-life stories, shedding light on the personal sacrifices and societal impact behind this critical battle. In a shift toward contemporary storytelling, Al-Boulevard, helmed by Saudi director Mohammad Al-Mulla, will present a portrayal of modern Saudi culture. Featuring a homegrown cast and international production value, the film seeks to amplify authentic local voices for a global cinema audience. Completing the lineup is Palace of Mist, a Saudi horror film set in a mysterious palace, blending regional and international creative forces. The film is set to introduce a fresh, genre-bending cinematic experience for both local and global horror fans. These projects reflect Saudi Arabia's evolving film industry, with strategic investments in content that speaks both to its heritage and its modern identity, while reaching across borders with compelling, high-quality storytelling.