Sports

Zayed Charity Run in Egypt draws big crowd

A delegation from the UAE will head to the Arab Republic of Egypt tomorrow to take part in the preparatory and organisational work ahead of the launch of the 10th edition of the Zayed Charity Run, scheduled to take place this Friday in Sheikh Zayed City, Sixth of October area, Giza Governorate.

The event is a humanitarian sporting occasion that embodies the deeply rooted legacy of giving, established by the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and reflects the depth of the fraternal and humanitarian ties between the two brotherly nations.

In recent days, registration for this year’s edition has witnessed a significant surge, with expectations of a new record number of participants across various age groups, including participants of different abilities and People of Determination. This strong turnout reaffirms the run’s solid standing as a global platform that brings together sport and charitable work, while promoting values of social inclusion and human solidarity.

Giza Governorate has also seen widespread placement of official advertising billboards for the run across major squares and main streets, reflecting the high level of community engagement and strong interest in the event. This comes alongside substantial attention and support from the Egyptian government, and around-the-clock efforts by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, led by Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Minister of Youth and Sports, in continuous coordination with the Higher Organising Committee of the run, chaired by Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Mohamed Helal Al Kaabi, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, to ensure the event is delivered in accordance with the highest organisational and technical standards.

The arrival of the UAE delegation in Cairo comes as part of finalising preparations, reviewing the readiness of the run route and facilities, and carrying out a number of field visits and accompanying activities, including a visit to the Egyptian Food Bank. This underscores that the Zayed Charity Run is not merely a sporting event, but a comprehensive humanitarian message that translates the values of solidarity and cooperation into tangible initiatives that serve people wherever they may be.

Prize money for winners across all categories totals EGP20 million, while the proceeds of this year’s run will be allocated to supporting government kidney dialysis centers in Egypt, in reinforcement of the healthcare sector, in addition to supporting the Egyptian Food Bank through the “Rayan Egypt” project.

The project aims to drill wells, establish fish farms, and provide sustainable sources of water and food, contributing to improved quality of life and enhanced food and water security for the most vulnerable groups.

In this context, Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Mohamed Helal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the Zayed Charity Run, affirmed that the tenth edition in Cairo represents a shining milestone in the journey of the run and embodies the noble humanitarian values instilled by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may he rest in peace. He noted that the run has become a global symbol of giving and sustainable humanitarian action, stating:

“We take pride in the growing humanitarian impact achieved by the Zayed Charity Run, and in the strong turnout and engagement we are witnessing today, which reflect society’s awareness of the run’s message and noble objectives.”

He added that the close partnership with Egyptian entities, along with the significant support from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, has helped provide an integrated organizational environment that reflects the prestigious status of the event and ensures its continuity as a leading model linking sport with service to humanity.

The organising committee has approved the run-day schedule, which will run from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and will include a variety of segments such as the reception of distinguished guests, runs over different distances, dedicated activities for People of Determination, as well as community and awareness segments and accompanying entertainment activities, giving the event a comprehensive family-friendly and humanitarian character.

This year’s edition will be supported and sponsored by a number of key partners, including Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company, Emirates Airline (Official Airline Partner), Al Habtoor Group, NORINCO, e&, and the Emirates Red Crescent, whose support will contribute to elevating the event and strengthening its societal impact.

The 2025–2026 season of the Zayed Charity Run will extend across new international destinations, with the message of giving, launching from Cairo, continuing to Miami, USA, on 31st January 2026, and concluding in Budapest, Hungary, in May. This global journey spreads the values of goodness and hope from the UAE to all corners of the world.

Since its inception, the Zayed Charity Run has continued to cement its presence as one of the world’s leading humanitarian sporting events, immortalising the legacy of the founding leader and affirming that the legacy of generosity launched by the late Sheikh Zayed continues to flow with goodness everywhere. The runners’ steps are but an extension of this endless river of generosity, and a message of pride in a timeless Emirati humanitarian legacy.

WAM

Sports

Mamdani scores fashion win in custom Arsenal kurta

Since Arsenal won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years this month, the visibility of the club’s shirts has soared, with celebrities including Romeo Beckham and the singer Mahalia wearing them.

One particularly notable fan moment occurred when Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York, wore a kurta made out of the team’s 2025-26 away kit to attend Eid al-Adha prayers in the Bronx.

Mamdani is a vocal Arsenal fan who wore a club scarf at a recent press conference and received a message of congratulations from former player Ian Wright when he became mayor.

Images of him wearing the kurta have been widely shared and, predictably, given that the garment combines football fandom and faith, the response has been divisive.

In comments under a post by Diet Paratha – an Instagram account focused on south Asian culture and fashion – one commentator wrote: “Bro noooo how’s my Eid fit supposed to compete with this?”

On a post by the fashion website Highsnobiety, someone commented: “When I thought I couldn’t hate this guy any more”, while on one by Versus, a football style platform, another wrote: “Even this Chelsea fan knows how cold this is.”

The kurta is a long shirt or tunic originating from south Asia, and Mamdani’s bespoke version was supplied by Jason Andrew. Andrew is one of the founders of Brooklyn Invincibles, an Arsenal supporters club in Fort Greene, New York, where celebrities including Spike Lee, Jason Sudeikis, Sol Campbell and Mamdani watch games.

Andrew had just five days to make the item – a deadline exacerbated by a shortage of shirts after the title win. “It’s going to be sold out because every fan who was on the fence about buying one this season is going to grab a piece of memorabilia,” he said.

Having sourced the shirts through his connections, Andrew then dispatched them to his longtime tailor in the care of his mother, the daughter of a seamstress, “to walk him through the specifics”.

Dr Fatima Rajina, a senior fellow at the Stephen Lawrence research centre at De Montfort University in Leicester who in 2024 curated an exhibition about what Muslim men wear to Friday prayers, believes some of the negative comments around Mamdani’s kurta are about his refusal to hide his faith in public office.

“He’s the first Muslim mayor of the most multicultural city in the world and also one of the most significant cities in the world. He’s disrupting a lot of things, socially, culturally, politically,” she said.

Arsenal’s reputation as the Premier League club with the most diverse and global fanbase aligns with Mamdani’s vision of an inclusive New York. Any Arsenal-inclined social media feed since the title win has featured videos of celebrations not only in culturally diverse north London, but also from around the world. A video on TikTok shows a man in Uganda wearing an Arsenal thobe –a floor-length garment similar to Mamdani’s kurta.

Andrew said the way Mamdani approached the look was on brand. “He doesn’t do anything crazy. He’s like: ‘Hey, I’m a New Yorker. I wear Timberlands, I wear a Carhartt jacket’ … [The kurta] embraces his fandom – we’re no different to him, and he’s no different to us.”

Faris and Aaliyah Gohir, the sibling founders of Arsenal Muslim Gooners, said the image of Mamdani in the kurta was a powerful one for their community.

“[It] brought faith, culture and football together in one image,” Faris said. “Muslim football supporters often feel invisible, so a globally recognised Muslim Arsenal supporter has certainly put us in the spotlight.”

Official Arsenal kits have sought to engage with the team’s diverse fanbase in the past. The British-Sierra Leonean designer Foday Dumbuya designed the club’s 2024-25 away shirt, while a 2022-23 season prematch jersey in Jamaican colours became a favourite at Notting Hill carnival.

Now Aaliyah Gohir believes Mamdani’s kurta could be an inspiration for further designs. “Arsenal-branded thobes and hijabs would be popular,” she said. “Female fans are also using AI to design Arsenal abayas … A Muslim-inspired range would feel like a natural next step.”

The Guardian

Sports

FIFA faces lawsuit over Iran’s ‘Lion and Sun’ flag ban 2026 World Cup

FIFA faces legal threat over planned ban on Iran’s pre-revolution flag at this summer’s World Cup.

Amid a tense geopolitical backdrop, Iran’s World Cup journey has been shaped by ongoing regional conflict, with concerns raised over the team’s safety in the United States and comments from Donald Trump adding to uncertainty.

The World Cup is set to kick off on June 11, with Iran marking the occasion after a pre-tournament rally in Tehran, though uncertainty remains as the country’s FA president Mehdi Taj says the squad still has not secured its visas.

FIFA could now face court action over plans to ban Iran’s pre-revolution flag at World Cup venues across North America this summer, after the Institute for Voices of Liberty raised concerns and warned the issue could escalate to formal proceedings in California state or federal courts.

Speaking late last week, legal counsel Shahrokh Mokhtarzadeh confirmed no reply had been received after three days. He added: “We are preparing to commence appropriate legal proceedings in case of attempts by FIFA to exclude the Lion and Sun flag.”

Last week, reports emerged that official venue guidance will be to prohibit the flag.

When asked directly, FIFA responded by sharing its list of prohibited items, which bars any materials of a “political, offensive, and/or discriminatory nature” but the body did not specify which element of the criteria the flag breaches.

The dispute has sparked strong backlash in the US and among the Iranian diaspora, with the Lion and Sun flag holding significant cultural and emotional meaning as it was removed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Taj has previously said Iran’s World Cup participation depends on a ban on unofficial flags, including the pre-revolution Lion and Sun emblem.

The issue has also drawn political attention, with Trump initially calling for Iran’s removal before later softening his stance, while Iran responded by suggesting the USA should be excluded from the 2026 tournament.

Iran reportedly explored relocating its matches to Mexico, a move supported by President Claudia Sheinbaum, while FIFA later confirmed the team’s training base had been shifted to Tijuana from its original site in Tucson, Arizona.

Iran will play all three group games in the United States, facing New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium at SoFi Stadium on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

Sports

Liverpool held by Brentford as Salah, Robertson say farewell

A Liverpool without Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson is hard to comprehend, however well signposted their exits have been, and as the two Anfield greats walked up to the Kop together for one last time it was also difficult to see where Arne Slot’s side are heading next season in their absence. The most positive aspect of a uniquely challenging season for Liverpool is that it is over.

Champions League qualification was at least secured courtesy of a draw against Brentford, who would have qualified for Europe themselves but for Dango Ouattara missing a glorious chance to seal victory with the final act. Salah signed off with a trademark flourish, producing the 120th assist of his Liverpool career for Curtis Jones’s opener. The Egypt international’s 93rd Premier League assist for Liverpool also ensured he overtook Steven Gerrard’s club record in his final appearance. How appropriate that Salah should depart with one more record.

Liverpool players formed guards of honour for Salah and Robertson when they were substituted and afterwards when both were presented with personalised “Champions’ Walls” by Sir Kenny Dalglish. Salah was in tears as the scale of the moment hit home after the final whistle but there were smiles later when he took selfies with supporters. Robertson stood a little further back and absorbed the adulation along with the goodbye. “I think I cried more than in my whole life,” Salah told Sky Sports. “I’m not really an emotional guy.”

They leave behind a club that have the Champions League revenue required for their summer transfer plans but also a lot of uncertainty, from Slot’s ability to coach a recovery to the capacity of new signings to fill the void.

“When you look at the league table you see big clubs who were not able to qualify for the Champions League or Europe so we cannot take it for granted,” said the Liverpool head coach. “It is clear and obvious that we wanted more but I am proud of the players because it has been a very, very difficult season. It is not what I would have loved us to achieve but taking everything into account what has happened, I am happy today that we have qualified for the Champions League.”

There were mosaics on the Kop and Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand for the departing duo and their names were sung on repeat for the opening 15 minutes. Liverpool’s performance was clearly geared at times to getting Salah on the scoresheet too.

For Slot, there was no question of punishing Salah for his latest public criticism with a demotion when Champions League football was at stake. The forward made his 442nd appearance for Liverpool as expected and so nearly provided the perfect send-off. A left-footed free-kick from the edge of the penalty area left Caoimhín Kelleher rooted to the spot only to smack a post and rebound to safety. The former Liverpool goalkeeper and the club’s former captain Jordan Henderson were given rousing receptions on their return.

Henderson exited without fanfare when leaving for Saudi Arabia in 2023. That was put right when the Brentford midfielder was substituted on the hour. All four sides of Anfield stood to applaud a huge influence on Liverpool’s success under Jürgen Klopp. Henderson was visibly moved and returned the compliment, tapping his chest above the heart as he went.

Liverpool had taken a merited lead just before Henderson’s departure. Until that point the hosts had dominated possession and the early chances as Brentford struggled to break their press. Ibrahima Konaté headed straight at Kelleher from a Robertson cross, Dominik Szoboszlai dragged a decent opportunity wide, the Brentford keeper saved impressively from Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha was close to finding the top corner after cutting in from the left. And, in keeping with Liverpool’s season, they almost conceded when put under pressure for the first time.

Kevin Schade found himself with the freedom of the Liverpool six-yard box after Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins headed a Henderson delivery back across goal. The forward had time to control and pick his spot but Alisson, back in the side after two months out injured, launched himself across goal and made a vital save with a knee.

The breakthrough was made by Salah. Released down the right by a smart Gakpo pass, the 33-year-old advanced into the area and picked out Jones with a delightful cross played with the outside of his foot. Jones steered a straightforward finish past Kelleher and Liverpool had the foundation for victory. They did not build on it.

Brentford responded well and finally performed with an intensity their situation demanded. Keith Andrews’ team were soon level when Jones headed a deep cross into the path of Keane Lewis-Potter. The left-back’s cross took a slight deflection off the Liverpool goalscorer en route to Schade, who beat Alisson with a diving header.

Kelleher denied the substitute Florian Wirtz in stoppage time and Brentford made one last push for Europe. Ouattara, rising alone to meet Vitaly Janelt’s cross, should have sent them there but miscued badly.

Possession

Liverpool59%Brentford41%

Goal attempts

Liverpool

Off target16

On target8

Brentford

Off target9

On target2

Corners

Liverpool14Brentford2

Fouls