Category: 6. Sports

• New partnership reinforces Emirates’ long-standing support of global rugby and commitment to growing the women’s game.
• The iconic Emirates ‘Fly Better’ kit will feature across all 32 tournament matches, worn by World Rugby Match Officials as a symbol of the airline’s continued support for elite officiating.
• With almost 50 days to go, England 2025 is already smashing records, with over 300,000 tickets sold, more than twice the total attendance of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand.

Emirates will continue its support of match officiating with the sponsorship of World Rugby Match Officials during Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, helping foster the growth and development of top-tier match officials and the rise of women officials in pinnacle competitions. The Emirates ‘Fly Better’ kit will be worn across all matches.  

The sponsorship demonstrates the airline’s commitment to advancing the sport of rugby while also enhancing the growth and visibility of women’s sports, while providing Emirates with a platform to engage with new, passionate fan bases.

As part of the new partnership, Emirates will enjoy significant marketing exposure across Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 digital and social channels and on-ground activations. The airline will also receive in-stadium branding across all 32 Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 matches.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 will span eight venues across England from 22 August to 27 September, with 16 teams competing to lift the new Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy. Emirates has a well-established commercial and operational footprint in 13 participating countries.

Michel Poussau, World Rugby Chief Revenue Officer, said: “Emirates has been a trusted and long-standing partner of World Rugby and our pinnacle competitions for nearly two decades, and we’re proud to extend this enduring relationship into the groundbreaking Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. Their continued commitment to supporting our match officials plays a crucial role in upholding excellence on the field. This partnership reflects not only our shared values, but also our collective ambition to elevate rugby on the global stage.”

Sarah Massey, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director, added: “Supporting the development of our team behind the whistle on the sport’s biggest stage is vital to delivering a world-class tournament. Emirates’ investment is helping create meaningful opportunities for these inspiring individuals to thrive, especially the women match officials taking part in this landmark event. We’re thrilled to welcome Emirates as a partner for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.”

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, said: “We’re excited to partner with World Rugby as an Official Partner and Airline of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. Women’s rugby is flourishing globally, and Emirates’ significant investment expands our presence and supports rugby’s growth. Making the sport accessible to everyone is part of our commitment to creating long-lasting impact, stronger connections with fans and unlocking possibilities through the power of sport.”

Emirates has championed the game of rugby since 1987, expanding its support to include World Rugby, six consecutive Rugby World Cups (2007-27), Cape Town 7s, and the Emirates Dubai 7s for nearly 40 years.

About Emirates

Emirates is the world’s largest international airline, connecting travellers to more than 140 cities. Emirates operates the world’s largest fleet of Boeing 777 and Airbus A380s, and now flies the Airbus A350, offering spacious cabins and iconic inflight features across its fleet. With a culturally diverse workforce, Emirates caters to its global customer base by delivering exceptional services and world-class products and has earned customer recognition for its industry-leading services on the ground and in the sky.

About Women’s World Rugby World Cup 2025

Running from 22 August-27 September, Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 will be a generational moment for rugby. The tournament organised across eight iconic locations will advance the incredible momentum behind women’s sport in England, and around the world.

With powerful personalities, unstoppable athletes and compelling competition, England 2025 will capture hearts and headlines globally, inspiring the next generation of players, and welcoming new fans to the sport.

Beyond the field, Women’s RWC 2025 will play a central role in empowering real change, shaping positive perceptions at all levels of the game, championing gender equity, and enriching local communities.

Elgendy’s mental strength insights for Mo Salah

The blue banner that Elgendy raised after completing the laser run on 10 August is now kept in his home in Egypt. It features the words ‘Paris 2024’ next to the Olympic rings and became a popular photo backdrop when he hosted a party at his home five days after returning from the French capital.

This was just one of many celebrations that the Olympic champion was swept up in from the moment he landed in Cairo International Airport.

When Elgendy’s final was broadcast on television, thousands of people in the country tuned in to see if this could be their golden moment.

“People now knew that I’m competing, so they were all watching it,” the athlete said. “They saw what I’m doing, so they felt the win, they felt the achievement here.”

Ultimately, it turned into a double celebration as Elgendy and weightlifter Sara Ahmed won gold and silver medals, respectively, within hours of each other.

“There were many people in the airport when we got back, fireworks, many interviews, many things we did,” Elgendy said. “Actually after, now you are a celebrity in Egypt, so you have to deal with it but it’s a good thing.”

Elgendy’s achievement also got the attention of another sporting hero in Egypt – Mo Salah. The Liverpool striker first reached out to Elgendy in 2018, calling on the phone to congratulate him for the double victory at the Youth Olympic Games. He also congratulated him after Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

The two met in person several times, including six months before Paris 2024. Mindset was the topic of conversation with Salah especially curious how Elgendy mentally prepares to compete in the five diverse sports that make up modern pentathlon: swimming, equestrian, shooting, fencing and running.

“When he asked me about how you prepare mentally for the competition, I knew that it’s the most important thing because it’s the first thing that he asked me,” Elgendy said.

“The main thing that he’s concentrating on is the mindset, how you work mentally, not only physically, because all people are training hard. All people do well in training, but the difference is their mindset. That’s what he told me, so I knew that it’s very important and I worked on it very hard.”

Watson was particularly unhappy with her serve as she suffered her ninth first-round exit at Wimbledon.

“I was just so frustrated because I don’t think I’ve ever missed that many first serves and I didn’t feel bad,” she added.

“I was trying to change things up, trying to find the court, take a bit of pace off, but just nothing seemed to work.

“Every time I walked up to that line I was like ‘this is going to be the one, this is where it’s going to change’ and it just never did.

“I just think that sort of stress built up as the match went on; it was just frustrating that I couldn’t find it, especially because that’s the one shot I’m actually in control of.”

WIMBLEDON — The opening two days of Wimbledon weren’t just marked by record-setting temperatures. As the All England Club melted in 35-degree heat, a slew of seeds wilted in their first-round matches.

Wimbledon: Scores | Order of play | Draws

Across both draws, an Open Era record of eight Top 10 seeds — four WTA and four ATP — fell in their first-round matches. It’s also the first time in the Open Era that two of the WTA’s Top 3 seeds lost their openers, with Coco Gauff exiting to Dayana Yastremska and Jessica Pegula lasting just 58 minutes against Elisabetta Cocciaretto.

To add to the unpredictability, four of this year’s six grass-court champions also lost in the first round of Wimbledon. An arduous clay-court swing may have meant some players hadn’t adjusted to grass yet, but even affinity and form on the surface was no guarantee of advancing.

What are the ramifications for the draw? Who’s gone, and who could take advantage? We break it down below.

First quarter

Out: [9] Paula Badosa, [32] McCartney Kessler (Nottingham champion)

The top quarter largely survived the upset bug unscathed. Badosa, the highest-ranked player to exit, came into Wimbledon under an injury cloud, and fell to two-time grass-court titlist and home hope Katie Boulter. Kessler fell to former Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova, who claimed the Berlin title two weeks ago, in a first-round contest between two of this year’s grass-court champions.

Result? The quarter was stacked to start with, and seems even more so now.

Two reigning major champions, No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 6 Madison Keys, both survived tricky first rounds, though Keys only just got by Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-7(4), 7-5, 7-5. Two of this year’s grass-court titlists won their openers, and both are in Sabalenka’s section — Vondrousova and ‘s-Hertogenbosch champion Elise Mertens, the No. 24 seed. Two more former Wimbledon semifinalists are in this quarter, too — No. 14 Elina Svitolina and No. 22 Donna Vekic. And in addition to all the above, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu — who plays Vondrousova on Wednesday — and 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez could be dangerous too.

Second quarter

Out: [5] Zheng Qinwen, [20] Jelena Ostapenko, Ons Jabeur (two-time Wimbledon finalist)

The second quarter’s upsets had been on the cards. Zheng, who has never gone beyond the third round at SW19, fell in the first round for a second straight year to Katerina Siniakova, an opponent who has now beaten her in three out of three grass-court meetings. Ostapenko came into Wimbledon under an injury cloud after turning her ankle in Eastbourne, and fell to home hope Sonay Kartal. Jabeur was forced to retire against Viktoriya Tomova due to breathing difficulties.

No. 4 seed and last year’s runner-up Jasmine Paolini — who had to come from a set and a break down to survive Anastasija Sevastova — is the only player remaining in this quarter who has previously made a Wimbledon semifinal. Should the Italian falter, two big hitters in her sixteenth with deep grass-court runs under their belts this year could take advantage: No. 13 Amanda Anisimova (Queen’s runner-up and 2022 Wimbledon quarterfinalist) and No. 30 Linda Noskova (Bad Homburg semifinalist).

There’s real opportunity in Zheng’s sixteenth now. No. 12 seed Diana Shnaider is the highest-ranked player who has yet to make a Slam quarterfinal, and she’s now the favorite by ranking to do so here. Indeed, the only player in this section who has previously made the last eight at Wimbledon is Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the 2016 quarterfinalist. All eyes will also be on four-time major champion Naomi Osaka, the only player remaining in this section who has been ranked in the Top 10. Osaka has yet to make the second week at Wimbledon in four previous main-draw appearances.

Could Siniakova or Kartal ride their opening upsets to a deep run? For doubles No. 1 Siniakova, a major singles quarterfinal feels overdue on her resume. The Czech has only made the fourth round of a Slam once, at Roland Garros 2019 — and she did so by defeating then-World No. 1 Osaka, her next opponent at Wimbledon this week.

Third quarter

Out: [3] Jessica Pegula (Bad Homburg champion), [15] Karolina Muchova, [25] Magdalena Frech, [27] Magda Linette, Tatjana Maria (Queen’s champion), Petra Kvitova (two-time Wimbledon champion)

A new Wimbledon quarterfinalist is guaranteed following the losses of Pegula (to Elisabetta Cocciaretto), Muchova (to Wang Xinyu) and Maria (to Katie Volynets). The only player remaining in this sixteenth who has made any major quarterfinal before is Belinda Bencic, who has done so three times at the US Open (including a semifinal run in 2019). Bencic’s first-round win over Alycia Parks was her first since returning from an arm injury that forced her to miss Roland Garros.

Also primed to take advantage is Wang, who defeated Coco Gauff en route to her first WTA final in Berlin and who continued her strong form to take out Muchova. The Chinese 23-year-old is the highest-ranked unseeded player in the draw at No. 32, and reached the fourth round of Wimbledon last year. She next faces Zeynep Sonmez, the first Turkish woman to win a match at Wimbledon in the Open Era.

Meanwhile, No. 18 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova is the second-highest ranked player who has yet to reach a major quarterfinal (following Shnaider). The 30-year-old’s grass-court credentials are solid — she’s a two-time titlist in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and made the fourth round of Wimbledon last year for the first time. A potential third-round showdown between Wang and Alexandrova could be crucial. 

Cocciaretto, Pegula’s conqueror, is also back in form after struggles with pneumonia set her back last year. The Italian says grass is her favorite surface, and was a semifinalist in ‘s-Hertogenbosch three weeks ago.

Three top names survived the upsets in this quarter. No. 7 Mirra Andreeva is looking to rebound after a disappointing Roland Garros quarterfinal loss to Lois Boisson; No. 10 Emma Navarro and No. 17 Barbora Krejcikova both came through tricky openers against Kvitova and Eastbourne finalist Alexandra Eala respectively. Defending champion Krejcikova is the only player in this quarter who has previously made a Wimbledon semifinal, and she’s on course to face Navarro in the third round.

An unexpected danger in this section is teenage Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko. A last-minute lucky loser to replace Anastasia Potapova, the 18-year-old took advantage to upset Frech for her first career Top 30 win. Mboko could face Andreeva in the third round.

Fourth quarter

Out: [2] Coco Gauff, [26] Marta Kostyuk, Maya Joint (Eastbourne champion), Victoria Azarenka (two-time Wimbledon semifinalist)

Only one player remaining in the fourth quarter has previously made a Wimbledon semifinal — 2022 champion Elena Rybakina. Only two more have been to the last eight at SW19 before — No. 8 Iga Swiatek (2023) and No. 16 Daria Kasatkina (2016).

Former World No. 1 Swiatek, who reached her first career grass-court final in Bad Homburg last week, remains on course for a fourth-round meeting with Rybakina. The pair have not played on grass before; Swiatek leads the head-to-head 5-4, including an escape from 6-1, 2-0 down at Roland Garros last month.

Opportunity abounds at the very bottom of the draw. Kasatkina, who won her first grass-court title at Eastbourne 2024, will be looking to return to a major quarterfinal for the first time since Roland Garros 2022. She could face big-hitting No. 19 seed Liudmila Samsonova, a two-time grass-court titlist, in the third round. Samsonova, who defeated Joint in straight sets in her opener, is the third-highest ranked player who has yet to reach the last eight of a Slam, following Shnaider and Alexandrova. The 26-year-old has four last-16 showings under her belt, including at Wimbledon 2021.

2024 Australian Open semifinalist Yastremska will have her eye on inheriting Gauff’s seeding advantage after out-hitting the No. 2 seed in straight sets. The Ukrainian was a finalist in Nottingham two weeks ago, made the Wimbledon fourth round on her debut in 2019 and has a first-strike game tailor-made for fast courts. No. 28 seed Sofia Kenin will pose a threat, too. The 2020 Australian Open champion is seeking to return to the second week of a major for the first time since Roland Garros 2021.

 

The ISU, the international governing body for figure skating, speed skating, and short track speed skating, joins a growing community of sport organisations that have entrusted the ITA with the delivery of their anti-doping programs. As an Olympic International Federation with a global footprint, the ISU’s decision marks a significant moment in the advancement of clean sport and independent anti-doping governance.

Under this agreement, the ITA assumes full operational responsibility as of July 2025 for all areas of the ISU’s anti-doping program, ensuring it is delivered with the highest standards of compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code and connected International Standards. The ITA will oversee risk-based test distribution planning and the execution of both in- and out-of-competition testing for international level skating athletes throughout the season and at major international competitions. Testing will be conducted by a global network of trained and ITA-accredited sample collection personnel, guided by an intelligence-led approach to maximise effectiveness and deterrence. A first focus of the program will lie on preparing ISU athletes for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, ensuring they compete under robust and independent anti-doping measures on the road to the Games.

The ITA will also manage the ISU Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) program, providing longitudinal monitoring of selected biomarkers to detect potential doping over time. Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) will be processed through the ITA’s International Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee (iTUEC), a panel of independent medical specialists who ensure athletes with legitimate medical needs receive fair and transparent treatment within the anti-doping framework.

In the event of potential anti-doping rule violations, the ITA will carry out all results management proceedings with full independence, ensuring procedural fairness and due process. In parallel, the ITA will integrate intelligence and investigative (I&I) capacities into the ISU’s anti-doping efforts, supporting more sophisticated and targeted program implementation and the detection of non-analytical anti-doping rule violations. The ITA had already begun to support the ISU with I&I activities in the past months.

A central pillar of the collaboration is a dedicated education program, jointly developed by the ITA and ISU. It will include the creation of a multi-year education plan, the delivery of tailored activities such as webinars and in-person education at key ISU events, and ongoing support for athletes and support personnel. Monitoring and evaluation tools will also be used to measure the effectiveness and reach of these initiatives, reinforcing the importance of values-based learning and long-term athlete development.

In addition, a dedicated doping control program will be established for eligible neutral athletes (AIN) from Russia and Belarus in view of their progressive reinstatement into ISU competitions and, ultimately, participation in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. This program will ensure that these athletes are subject to rigorous, intelligence-driven testing conducted exclusively by independent sample collection personnel with all samples analysed in WADA-accredited laboratories outside of Russia. This approach reinforces the ITA and ISU’s joint commitment to neutrality, transparency, and the integrity of the global anti-doping system.

“We are honoured to welcome the International Skating Union to the ITA’s community of partners,” said ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen. “Skating is a cornerstone of the Olympic Movement and a sport that inspires millions worldwide with its combination of precision, power, and artistry. We were pleased to note that the ISU already has a very robust anti-doping program implemented over the years by skilled professionals and committed experts. With this partnership, the ISU is making a strong and meaningful statement: that integrity, good governance and clean sport are at the heart of skating’s future. Athletes in all skating disciplines will now benefit from an anti-doping program grounded in independence, scientific expertise, and fairness. We look forward to working hand in hand with ISU’s experts and anti-doping advisory bodies and commend the ISU’s leadership for taking this important step.”

ISU President Jae Youl Kim stated: “With a legacy spanning more than 50 years in Anti-Doping, the ISU has long been recognized as a pioneer in promoting clean sport and protecting athletes. From establishing one of the sport’s first in-house Anti-Doping programs to being an early adopter of the Athlete Biological Passport, the ISU has consistently demonstrated its commitment to securing a safe sport environment. Our partnership with the ITA marks a pivotal step forward, ensuring full independence, transparency, and global expertise in the delivery of our Anti-Doping program. As we prepare for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, and continue to advance the ISU Vision 2030, we remain dedicated to upholding fairness and safeguarding the future of ice skating.”

The collaboration between the ITA and the ISU came into force in July 2025, with both organisations working closely to ensure a smooth operational transition. This collaboration reinforces both organisations’ shared mission to protect the health of athletes, ensure a level playing field, and preserve the integrity of sport at every level.

With the inclusion of the ISU, the ITA now independently manages the anti-doping programs of four Olympic Winter International Federations, including the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), the International Luge Federation (FIL) and the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) — a testament to the growing trust in the ITA’s independent, expert-led approach to clean sport in the Olympic winter sports community.

The highly anticipated India-Pakistan showdown in the ACC Asia Cup 2025 is likely to take place on September 7 in Dubai, with Indian media on Wednesday revealing tentative dates and venue details for the tournament.

Despite India being the official hosts, the tournament is expected to be shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to ongoing political tensions between the two arch-rivals.

Reports suggest that the Asia Cup 2025 is likely to begin around September 4 or 5, with the final pencilled in for September 21.

The recurring deadlock between the BCCI and PCB has led to the “fusion formula,” under which both boards reportedly agreed not to visit each other’s home soil for multi-nation events for the next three years.

Instead, their matches would be staged at neutral venues. That’s why the 17th edition of the continental event will see the arch-rivals clash in Dubai.

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It’s worth noting that the Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the T20 format and is expected to see India and Pakistan face off at least twice, first in the group stage, and potentially again in the Super Four round, depending on results.

Six teams will participate in the tournament: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE. The structure will follow the traditional format of a group stage leading into the Super Four, similar to previous editions.

An official announcement from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) regarding the final schedule is expected in the second week of July.

Meanwhile, promotions are already in full swing, with teasers airing on Indian television and circulating across digital platforms.

It is worth noting that India are the defending champions, having crushed Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the ODI-format final of the previous edition.

READ: Shubman Gill drops major hint on India Playing XI for second Test

The 2025 edition of the Asia Cup is expected to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with Indian media reporting that the tournament will begin around September 4 or 5 and conclude on September 21.

According to the reports, the group-stage fixture between India and Pakistan is likely to be held on September 7 in Dubai. The 17th edition of the tournament will be played in the T20 format and will follow the established format of group stages followed by a Super Four round.

There is a strong possibility that India and Pakistan could face each other more than once, depending on results, with a potential second meeting in the Super Four stage.

The participating teams are expected to include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and the UAE.

While the Asian Cricket Council has not yet issued an official schedule, an announcement is anticipated in the second week of July. Promotional teasers for the event have already started airing on Indian television and circulating across social media.

Speculation that India might withdraw from the tournament due to political tensions was dismissed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which confirmed that no such decision had been made.

Media sources indicated that both countries are expected to continue participating in ICC and ACC tournaments without any official restrictions on fixtures against each other.

India are the defending champions, having won the previous Asia Cup—held in the 50-over format—with a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the final.