Sport in Saudi Arabia
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This article is about sport in Saudi Arabia.
Football
Football is the most popular sport in Saudi Arabia.[citation needed] In recent years, the sport has grown in popularity, and some Saudi players currently play in Europe. The Saudi Arabian national football team is governed by the Saudi Football Federation (SFF). The SFF organises the Saudi leagues, and the Saudi Arabian Cup. The Saudi national team has competed in four FIFA World Cup competitions, in 1994, 1998, 2002, and most recently, in 2006. The Saudi team has also competed in seven AFC Asian Cup competitions, first in 1984. Achievements from the AFC Cup include being the Champions in 1984, 1988, and recently, in 1996. The current player of the year is Hussein Sulaimani,[when?] who is the captain of Saudi Arabian football team. Saudi Arabia also regularly participate in the Gulf Cup of Nations, AFC Champions League, and Arab Nations Cup.
Cricket
Cricket is the second most popular sport in Saudi Arabia, largely due to the increasing number of South Asian expatriates who play the game during their spare time. However during recent years cricket has generated interest among many Arab locals, such as Faique Habib and Nadim Al Nadwi, who have both represented Saudi Arabia at national level. Currently there are over 8000 Saudi cricketers, with nearly 20 percent being local Arabs, and the majority of the rest coming from countries such as Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.
There are many cricket associations Saudi Arabia, with Yanbu Al Sinaiyah Cricket Association being the largest. Each major city has its own organisation which holds its own domestic cup for each format.
Since 2010 Saudi Arabia has gained quite a lot of fame for its style of cricket, as it has won several regional tournaments on turf, even though back home players only play on concrete. Saudi Arabia's biggest win to date was in September 2016, where they beat a Namibian national side by 141 runs. 2 months later they also won their first major series which came in the form of a quadrangular series also involving Kenya, Uganda and Qatar.
Saudi Arabia's greatest cricketer is Shoaib Ali, who has contributed to major victories both home and away, and who has captained the nation since 2008. He is a bowling all rounder who made his debut against Thailand in the 2008 ACC Under-19 Challenge Cup.
Basketball
Basketball is also a popular sport in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Premier League has been home to several players who competed at the FIBA Asia Championship and has also attracted NBA-players such as Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.
Rugby union
Rugby union in Saudi Arabia is a minor but growing sport, which has been played for several decades in the Kingdom. Many of the local rugby clubs date back to the late 1970s.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey is also a minor sport but it has not been popular in Saudi Arabia, which has been played its first game in 2010 during the Gulf Ice Hockey Championship.
National teams
This is a list of Saudi Arabian national sports teams:
- Saudi Arabia national football team
- Saudi Arabia national basketball team
- Saudi Arabia national handball team
- Saudi Arabia national cricket team
See also
- Saudi Arabia at the Olympics
- Saudi Arabia at the Paralympics
- Saudi Arabia Football Federation
- Women's sport in Saudi Arabia
- List of sports venues in Saudi Arabia
External links
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