Next generation shines as FEI Group VII Finals end

Doha, Qatar: The FEI Regional Group VII Finals for Juniors, Cadets, and Young Riders, featuring qualifiers from the 2025-2026 equestrian season, concluded with thrilling action at the Longines Arena in Al Shaqab after four days of competition.

The event brought together more than 100 riders representing countries across the region, competing for a total prize purse of €318,000 and showcasing the next generation of equestrian talent. cat-cross.com

In the Junior Final of the Regional Group VII Individual category, the United Arab Emirates dominated the podium.

Hasan Majed Al Nuaimi riding Grazie secured first place with a flawless performance, followed by compatriot Khaled Ahmad Al Mheiri aboard Feline Peguignon in second. Qatar’s Mohammed Hamza Al Kuwari riding Galatee de La Trigale finished third.

In the Junior Final of the Regional Group VII Individual category, UAE rider Hassan Majid Al Nuaimi won the title, ahead of compatriot Khalid Ahmed Al Muhairi and Qatar’s Mohammed Hamza Al Kuwari.

In another Junior Final Individual class, Saleh Mufrrej Al Karbi of the UAE riding Espresso claimed first place ahead of Mohammad Saeed Al Ghurair on Hazel de Luxe, also representing the UAE, while Abdulhadi Al Kahtani of Saudi Arabia riding We’LL See completed the podium in third.

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In the Junior Individual Final, Kuwait’s Hussain Al Kharafi riding Gk C’Est Un Reve secured victory, while Qatar’s Ibrahim Yousuf Al Mahmoud on Perle Van Dorperheide finished second. Abdulla Khalid Al Julandani of Qatar riding Cavallina 13 placed third.

In the Local Junior class at a height of 120cm, Qatar’s Khalid Nasser Al Khater riding Dancing Queen d’Ick took first place, followed by compatriots Mohammed Faisal Al Marri on Duke G in second and Ahmad Ali Al Jaber riding Riane TB in third.

Commenting on the conclusion of the Group VII competitions, Sultan Mohammed Al Yahyai, President of FEI Regional Group VII, praised the high standard displayed throughout the event.

“Over the course of four days at the Longines Arena in Al Shaqab, we witnessed outstanding levels of competition from riders in the junior, youth, and young adult categories. They demonstrated exceptional readiness and a clear ability to compete with confidence and skill. Several riders reached the podium multiple times, reflecting their improved performance and consistent level of performance,” he said.

Sheikh Talal bin Khalid Al Thani, the tournament director, described the conclusion of the FEI Regional Group VII competitions as an important milestone in the continued development of equestrian sport in the region.

He noted that Doha’s hosting of the tournament for the second consecutive year reflects the high level of confidence in Qatar’s organisational capabilities and infrastructure, as well as the country’s accumulated experience in staging major sporting events.

شهد المشهد الكروي القطري حالة من التفاؤل والترقب، بعد النجاحات اللافتة التي حققها ممثلا الكرة القطرية في البطولات القارية والخليجية، حيث بلغ نادي الريان نهائي بطولة الأندية الخليجية، فيما واصل النادي الأهلي القطري مشواره القاري بنجاح وتأهل إلى نصف نهائي دوري أبطال آسيا 2، في إنجاز يعكس تطور مستوى الأندية القطرية وقدرتها على المنافسة خارجياً.
«نجاح الرهيب
«تأهل الريان إلى المباراة النهائية لم يكن وليد الصدفة، بل جاء نتاج عمل متكامل وأداء تصاعدي منذ دور المجموعات، حيث قدم الفريق مستويات قوية اتسمت بالانضباط التكتيكي والفعالية الهجومية. ونجح “الرهيب” في تجاوز عقبة نادي القادسية الكويتي في نصف النهائي، مؤكداً جدارته بالوصول إلى المشهد الختامي.
الريان سيضرب موعداً مع نادي الشباب السعودي في النهائي المرتقب يوم الخميس، في مواجهة تحمل الكثير من التحديات، خاصة أن المنافس يمتلك خبرة واسعة وعناصر مميزة. ومع ذلك، فإن ما قدمه الريان خلال البطولة يمنح جماهيره الثقة بقدرته على حسم اللقب، خصوصاً في ظل الجاهزية البدنية والذهنية العالية للاعبين، إضافة إلى التنوع في الحلول الهجومية والصلابة الدفاعية.
الجماهير القطرية تترقب هذا النهائي بشغف كبير، إذ يمثل فرصة تاريخية للريان لتحقيق أول لقب خليجي في تاريخه، وهو هدف يبدو في المتناول إذا ما واصل الفريق بنفس الروح والأداء اللذين ظهر بهما في الأدوار السابقة.

الأهلي… اختبار قاري من العيار الثقيل
على الجانب الآخر، يواصل الأهلي القطري كتابة قصة مميزة في دوري أبطال آسيا 2، بعد أن تمكن من تجاوز نادي الحسين إربد في ربع النهائي، ليحجز مقعده في نصف النهائي عن جدارة واستحقاق.
المهمة المقبلة لن تكون سهلة، حيث سيواجه “العميد” فريق نادي النصر السعودي، أحد أقوى الفرق في البطولة، والذي يضم نخبة من اللاعبين أصحاب الخبرة والإمكانات العالية. ومع ذلك، فإن الأداء الذي قدمه الأهلي خلال مشواره القاري يعكس شخصية فريق قادر على مجاراة الكبار، بل والتفوق عليهم في بعض الفترات.
ويعتمد الأهلي على تنظيمه الدفاعي الجيد وسرعة التحول الهجومي، إلى جانب الروح القتالية العالية التي ظهرت بوضوح في المباريات الحاسمة، ما يمنحه فرصة حقيقية لتخطي النصر وبلوغ النهائي.

طموحات جماهيرية وثقة متزايدة
النجاحات المتزامنة للريان والأهلي أعادت الزخم للكرة القطرية على المستوى الخارجي، ورفعت سقف الطموحات لدى الجماهير التي تأمل رؤية الريان يعتلي منصة التتويج الخليجية، والأهلي يواصل مغامرته الآسيوية حتى النهائي. وبين طموح اللقب الخليجي للريان، والتحدي القاري الكبير للأهلي، تقف الكرة القطرية أمام محطة مهمة قد ترسم ملامح مرحلة جديدة من الحضور القوي في البطولات الإقليمية، خاصة في ظل ما تملكه الأندية من إمكانات فنية وبشرية قادرة على تحقيق الإنجازات. في النهاية، تبقى التفاصيل الصغيرة هي الفيصل في مثل هذه المواجهات الكبرى، لكن المؤكد أن ما قدمه الفريقان حتى الآن يعكس طموحاً مشروعاً في مواصلة النجاح وكتابة فصل جديد من التألق الكروي القطري.

Manchester, United Kingdom: Pep Guardiola said that Manchester City's vital 2-1 victory over Arsenal has only given his side "hope" in the Premier League title race as they look to hunt down the Gunners.

City are three points behind the leaders but have a game in hand and would go top for the first time this year if they beat struggling Burnley on Wednesday.

Guardiola's men are now favourites for a seventh league title in his 10 seasons in Manchester, with momentum very much in their favour.

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (L) embraces Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) before the start of the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on April 19, 2026. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)

Arsenal have lost their last four games in domestic competitions, including the League Cup final to City last month.

But even if City win at Burnley, the sides will only be level on points with five games remaining.

"We are there, but the reality is what? Who is the top of the league? We are not. Who has the better goal difference?

"So, step-by-step. But of course we've got hope to still extend the chances to fight in the league."

Erling Haaland struck the winner 25 minutes from time in a game of fine margins.

Arsenal hit the post twice in the second half, either side of Haaland's strike, and also missed two glorious chances through Kai Havertz.

Rayan Cherki's sensational solo run and finish had given City an early lead that was almost immediately wiped out when Havertz charged down an attempted clearance by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

But it was Bernardo Silva who earned rave reviews from Guardiola in the week he announced that he will depart at the end of the season after nine years at the Etihad.

"You have to write the word legend in capital letters for him, not for today but for every single game during nine years," added Guardiola.

"He is a special player. Wherever he will go, the team will be so lucky!"

On Monday 20 April 2026 in Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain was crowned ‘World Team of the Year’ at the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony. The award recognises the capital club’s historic 2024–2025 season, praised for its team spirit and high-quality performances.

This trophy, which is awarded annually to the best teams across all sports, sees the capital club’s excellence recognised on an international stage. The accolade highlights the work achieved by the entire Parisian squad. Under the guidance of Luis Enrique, the Rouge & Bleu achieved an unprecedented sextuple: the Champions League, the Intercontinental Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the French League, the Coupe de France and the Trophée des Champions.

This team success is also reflected in the awards and nominations received by several players from the Parisian squad.

Ousmane Dembélé, winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or, was among the nominees for the ‘Sportsman of the Year’ award, alongside international sporting stars such as Carlos Alcaraz, Armand Duplantis, Marc Márquez, Tadej Pogacar and Jannik Sinner.

Désiré Doué, Golden Boy 2025, was also nominated in the ‘Revelation of the Year’ category, alongside João Fonseca, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luke Littler, Lando Norris and Zidi Yu.

The two Parisian players were also the only male footballers nominated across all categories in this year’s awards, a recognition that rewards Paris Saint-Germain’s collective effort and the work accomplished throughout the season.

This accolade thus confirms the strength of the Parisian project, built around performance, teamwork and youth. Paris Saint-Germain – who will play in the Champions League semi-finals – continues to develop with ambition and high standards at the very highest level.

"On behalf of everyone at Paris Saint-Germain, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Academy Awards for this highly prestigious honour. This recognition once again reflects the strength of our collective – at Paris Saint-Germain, the real star is the team, both on and off the pitch. We are also very proud to represent Paris, French football and France on the international stage, using the power of sport to bring people together and make a positive impact. These values lie at the heart of the Laureus Awards, and that is what makes this honour, being named the Laureus World Team of the Year, so special for Paris Saint-Germain," said Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, President of Paris Saint-Germain

Nuremberg, Germany: Veteran endurance driver Juha Miettinen was killed in a seven-car pile-up during a race at Germany's Nuerburgring on Saturday.

The race, which also featured four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen, was halted after the accident with organisers suspending the event.

It was part of the Nuerburgring Langstrecken Series (NLS) qualifiers for a 24-hour race to be held in May, in which Verstappen is set to take part.

AFP subsidiary SID reported that the Dutchman was not on the course at the time of the accident but is due to drive on Sunday.

The accident took place just 25 minutes into the four-hour event before an incline at the Klostertal stage of the track.

Miettinen, 66, died in the course medical centre, while six other drivers were hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries.

"Despite the immediate arrival of emergency medical personnel, paramedics were unable to save Juha Miettinen after he was removed from the vehicle," the organisers announced later in the evening.

"The thoughts of everyone involved in the Nuerburgring 24 Hours are with Juha Miettinen's family."

Writing on social media, Verstappen said he was "shocked" by the accident and the death of Miettinen.

"Motorsport is something we all love, but in times like this it is a reminder of how dangerous it can be.

"Sending my heartfelt condolences to Juha's family and loved ones."

Motorsport governing body FIA also expressed condolences on social media on Saturday night.

"The FIA is sad to learn of the passing of Juha Miettinen following an incident in today's first race of the ADAC 24h Nuerburgring Qualifiers.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends and everyone involved in the event."

The race is scheduled to continue on Sunday, with Verstappen and Mercedes teammate Lucas Auer taking part.

Organisers said Sunday's race would take place after a moment of silence during the starting grid formation.

German newspaper Bild said Miettinen was a frequent competitor on the track in western Germany and had regularly appeared on the podium.