Latest news with #nationalteam
Arab News
an hour ago
- Sport
- Arab News
Is it a bird, is it a plane? No — it's a Saudi aviation athlete
RIYADH: Most people live their lives on the ground, but Faisal Al-Olayan chose the sky. The Saudi aviation athlete, this week's guest on The Mayman Show, is an aerospace engineer, pilot, skydiver and a member of the Kingdom's national paragliding team. Most of us travel, but he chases storms, soars above mountains and dives into clouds in ways most of us only dream about. From experiencing rain that 'almost stops the heart' mid-flight to emotional moments when he completed his wingsuit training in Russia, Al-Olayan lives life one adrenaline rush at a time. His story is not so much about escaping gravity, as about finding freedom within it. 'I started having fun in flying because my mom, when I was young, she was telling me (I was) half bird. And when I started with this mentality, I started to do all of my activities in the sky. I started from graduating with sports until I am here with the national team,' said Al-Olayan. He began paramotoring in 2019, a form of ultralight aviation using a paraglider wing and a motor worn as a backpack. 'I started to train (in) paramotoring here in Riyadh,' he recalled. 'A paramotor is basically a parachute, but you have an engine (on) your back and you can foot-launch from anywhere.' He then planned to do his pilot training in the US, but the global pandemic and resulting lockdowns put paid to that. Al-Olayan loves to travel and has visited 67 countries to date. 'I started to take my paraglider with me to fly from mountains, I was getting more experience with this sport as a paraglider. And this is what makes me continue in all of those aerial sports,' he said. His role as an aerospace engineer also plays a big part in his experiences in the air. 'If you want to start to fly, you have to know aerodynamics … you have to know how the wind (is) flying and all of those things,' he explained. It also helped him become a fast learner and understand what was happening when he flew. 'There are two kinds of pilots. There is an experienced one and there is (an) experience and no physics one … it's like driving … you know how to drive the car, but you don't know anything about the car, you don't know about the engine,' he said. Al-Olayan added that was what made him fall in love with paramotoring and other sports. 'I even built my own paramotor. I was designing it, everything with my specifications and things like that,' he said. 'And all of that happened when I studied at KFUPM (King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals) in Dhahran.' For five years, he did nothing but study until he obtained his degree in aerospace engineering. After that, he started taking part in competitions, doing well enough to earn his place in Saudi Arabia's national paragliding team, run by the Saudi Paragliding Federation. 'Shaheen (is) the name of the paragliding organization. And that was like … a new chapter for me because to compete is something — you're holding your name — but now you compete with the Saudi name … bringing your flag and your clothes, and everyone is seeing you as a Saudi athlete,' he explained. 'It's not like Faisal, the old one, is coming to compete. In the competitions that I was in, (I) was less nervous and less pressured. But when I was going with the national team, it was much, much more pressure. But for me, I enjoyed it a lot because it was more exciting.'
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
🗞️Today's headlines: Spain one step from glory
The victory of the national team over Germany and their qualification for the Euro Cup final takes center stage in the newspapers. Aitana Bonmatí's goal in extra time sends Spain to their first ever Euro Cup final. An achievement that the national sports press has featured, as expected, on their front MARCA Diario AS Mundo Deportivo Diario SPORT Superdeporte Estadio Deportivo Sphera Sports L'Esportiu This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 Alexander Hassenstein - 2025 Getty Images
The Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Michelle Agyemang reflects on journey from ball girl to England squad
Michelle Agyemang, a 19-year-old striker, has made a significant impact for the Lionesses since her first call-up to the England senior squad in April. She has scored three goals in four appearances for the national team. Agyemang secured a vital equaliser in the sixth minute of added time against Italy in the Euro 2025 semi-final to earn the team a spot in the final. Reflecting on her journey, Agyemang noted her rapid progression from being a ball girl for some of her current teammates just four years ago. Watch the video in full above.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappé wants to change his number
The news surfaced a few weeks ago and is gradually being confirmed. According to Radio Marca, Mbappé was hopeful that the management would grant him this opportunity, as he already wears the number for the national team. Real Madrid is expected to make an official announcement on this in the coming days.
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
CFI becomes official online trading partner of Egyptian Basketball Federation
CFI, the region's leading online trading provider, is proud to announce its official partnership with the Egyptian Basketball Federation (EBF), marking a significant milestone in the company's regional sports sponsorship strategy. The collaboration reinforces CFI's commitment to supporting local sports while driving meaningful community engagement through national pride and athletic excellence. The partnership cements CFI's position as an active contributor to Egypt's sporting landscape, reflecting a shared vision of developing basketball across all levels, from youth to elite national representation. As the Official Online Trading Partner of the Egyptian Basketball Federation (EBF), the standout element of this partnership is that CFI's logo will appear on the shorts of all national team players, coaches, and medical staff, across men's, women's, and youth teams, whether competing locally or representing Egypt on the international stage. Additionally, the brand will feature prominently during all EBF-organized matches, with on-ground and wall advertising strategically placed to maximize audience reach. CFI's identity will be integrated into digital screens, banners, and backdrops throughout the tournament calendar, ensuring a strong and consistent presence. The partnership extends to digital platforms as well, with CFI featured as an official sponsor on the Federation's social media channels and live match broadcasts, including high-profile tournaments such as the Associated League Championship, Egypt Cup, Super League, and Super Cup. The collaboration also includes initiatives designed to deepen fan engagement and highlight CFI's connection to the community, such as exclusive experiences with the Egyptian National Team and premium access to major games. This partnership builds on CFI's growing portfolio of regional sponsorships and reflects its broader mission to align with causes and institutions that inspire excellence, ambition, and progress. "We are thrilled to partner with the Egyptian Basketball Federation (EBF) in a way that reflects our commitment to empowering individuals, nurturing ambition, and strengthening community ties," said Ziad Melhem, CEO of CFI Financial Group. "Egypt is a pivotal market for us, rich with potential and talent. Through this partnership, we aim to support the country's vibrant sports scene while also reaffirming our dedication to providing Egyptians with direct, trusted access to local trading and investing opportunities." "We're proud to welcome CFI as an official partner of the Egyptian Basketball Federation," said Amr Moselhy, Chairman of EBF. "Their support will help us elevate the profile of Egyptian basketball, both locally and on the international stage, while opening new doors for fan engagement and brand collaboration.' As CFI continues to expand its footprint across the region, partnerships like this reflect its vision of being more than a financial services provider. By aligning with national sports and community initiatives, CFI reinforces its commitment to progress, unity, and empowering people to take charge of their financial futures, all while celebrating local pride and ambition. About CFI: CFI Financial Group, established in 1998, is MENA's leading online trading broker with over 25 years of experience. Operating from key locations like London, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Cape Town, Baku, Beirut, Amman, and Cairo, CFI provides seamless access to both global and local markets. Offering diverse trading options across equities, currencies, commodities, and more, CFI delivers superior conditions, including zero-pip spreads, no commission fees, and ultra-fast execution. The company is a leader in AI-driven tools, offering intuitive and advanced solutions for traders of all experience levels. CFI fosters financial literacy through multilingual educational content and inspires excellence through partnerships with global icons like AC Milan, FIBA WASL, and MI Cape Town cricket team, as well as the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. With Seven-Time Formula One™ World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton as Global Brand Ambassador, CFI reflects a shared commitment to innovation and success while supporting cultural and community initiatives worldwide.
