The Dubai World Cup is set to captivate the world once again. The 29th edition of the iconic horse racing fixture, taking place at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday, April 5, will be broadcast in a staggering 170 countries worldwide.

Known as the most international race day on the planet, the event will feature elite competitors from over a dozen nations battling it out across nine thrilling races, headlined by the $12 million Dubai World Cup.

A record-breaking 37 broadcasters will air the spectacle live, including Channel 7, which will bring the race to Australian mainstream TV for the first time. Canada’s Sportsnet and India’s Fancode — with a whopping 160 million users — are also on board.

Other major networks include Fox Sports (US), ESPN/Star+ (South America), SuperSport (Africa), and top European broadcasters like Eurovision, Viaplay, and Setanta Sports.

In the Middle East, fans can catch the action on Dubai Racing Channel, Yas TV (Abu Dhabi), and Saudi Sports Channel. Asia won’t miss out either, with coverage on Japan’s Green Channel, Fuji TV, Kansai, and NetKeiba, as well as HKJC TV, Cable TV, Now TV, and TVB in Hong Kong.

Even cruise lines and airlines — including title sponsor Emirates Airline—will stream the event, ensuring fans can watch from anywhere. And with CNN Worldwide bringing highlights to its 347 million viewers, the Dubai World Cup is set to make waves like never before.

(Source: Wam)

La Liga, Spain’s top football league, has announced a major initiative to discover and nurture football talent in the UAE. As part of this programme, eight promising young players — four boys and four girls — have been selected for an exclusive training and development experience in Madrid.

The chosen players will have the opportunity to visit leading football clubs in the Spanish capital and immerse themselves in the country’s vibrant football culture. This initiative aims to inspire and develop the next generation of football stars.

The announcement was made at a press conference in Dubai, as part of the “LaLiga FC Futures” programme, which seeks to identify emerging football talent worldwide. Around 200 young players from various UAE academies are participating in practical trials at the High Performance Centre in Dubai Sports City.

The UAE was chosen for these trials due to its growing football scene and the presence of well-established academies. This initiative follows similar talent searches in the United States and South Africa, with upcoming events planned in Vietnam and Guatemala.

The selection process evaluates technical ability, raw talent, and mindset, ensuring that players not only possess football skills but also strong personal values and sporting character. La Liga’s commitment to global youth development continues to open doors for young athletes to reach their full potential on the international stage.

(Source: Wam)

History is in the making as Dubai welcomes the greatest two-day pure brutal combat event BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) powered by World League of Fighters in association with Dubai Sports council scheduled for April 4th and April 5th at the prestigious Dubai Duty Free Stadium. The event promises to be a spectacular showcase of combat action entertainment as 44 top world fighters would participate in an intense battle while vying for the title contender.

Professional Mixed Martial legend Conor McGregor is also scheduled to make a surprise appearance adding star power to an already spectacular lineup, although his role is kept in wraps. VIP Ticket holders would also have exclusive access to meet and greet sessions with fighters and legends of the sport during the tenure of the event

David Feldman Founder of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship shares how he finds the event to be the biggest boost for the fastest growing sport in the world. He shares, “We’re bringing raw intensity and pure athleticism of bare knuckle fighting to one of world’s most dynamic sporting destinations which is Dubai. The response from the fighting community and fans has been overwhelming, and we’re proud to showcase our sport at this level.”
The BKFC Dubai edition presents an electrifying lineup of international fighters on Day 1, featuring intense matchups across multiple weight categories. In the Bantamweight division (135 lbs), Ruel Panales from Philippines will face Ali Elkhatib from Egypt, while Lucas Sontgen (Germany) takes on Elnur Suleymanov (Azerbaijan) in the 170 lbs category. The Lightweights will see Islam Sizbulatov (Austria) battling Cheng Leang (Cambodia) at 155 lbs, and Murat Kazgan (Turkey) challenging Leandro Martins (Brazil).
Cruiserweights and Middleweights will showcase global talent with Jaskaran Singh (India) versus Mohamed Ali (Egypt/Dubai) in the 265 lbs category, and Marcus Pond (UK) facing Mladen Iliev (Bulgaria) in the 175 lbs Middleweights. The headline bout features Austin Trout versus Carlos Trinidad in the 165 lb Welterweights Category, while Sabah Homasi (Lebanese Descent/USA) will square off against Jonny Tello (Canada/Thailand) in the 175 Middleweights.
Day 2 promises equally thrilling contests across diverse weight classes. The Heavyweights (265 lbs) will feature Mehdi Barghi (Iran) versus Ricardo Bachir (Lebanon) and Guto Inocente (Brazil) against Hassan Yousefi (Iran). Bantamweight competitors include Mohd Azahar (India) versus Muhammad Bilal (Pakistan), while the Featherweights (145 lbs) will see exciting matches with Shamil Dzhakhbarov (Russia) facing Dilshat Nurym (Kazakhstan), and multiple international fighters like Dan Chapman (UK), Brandon Allen (USA), Hannah Rankin (UK), Jessica Borga (USA), Kai Stewart (USA), and Tommy Strydom (South Africa).
The Middleweight division will feature Aaron Chalmers (UK) against Chasa Symonds, while the Cruiserweight showdown will see Welsh MMA fighter John Phillips face Brazilian veteran Fabio Maldonado in the 205 lbs category. Maldonado, known for his standout performances in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions from 2009-2016, will battle Phillips, a tough competitor with a strong middleweight legacy from 2018-2020. Both fighters will bring their striking prowess to this exciting bare-knuckle clash in Dubai.
The Welterweights division will pit Vladislav Tuinov (Russia) against Adel Al Tamimi (USA/Iraq), while Matin Safari (Iran) will face Mark Angel Sadang (Philippines) in the Lightweights category.

Sharing excitement on BKFC’s debut in Dubai, emphasizing the significance of the event for both the sport and the city Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew Co – Founders of World League of Fighters share, “Dubai has always been a global hub for world-class sporting events, and we are excited to welcome the Bare-Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) for its debut here. This event isn’t just about the fights; it’s about creating a one-of-a-kind experience for fans and highlighting the technical mastery that defines bare-knuckle fighting.”
The Dubai Sports Council also expressing their support for this ground breaking event shares, “Hosting Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship aligns perfectly with Dubai’s vision of Dubai becoming the world’s premier destination for combat sports. This event is precedented to provide local sports combat enthusiasts with an advanced opportunity to witness this unique discipline at the highest level.”
Tickets for this historic event will start at AED 399, with premium VIP packages available. The venue selection ensures an intimate viewing experience while maintaining the highest standards of safety and comfort for athletes and viewers. Also, in an exclusive development the event has attracted the radio partnerships of Channel 4(British Channel), Al Arabia (Dubai)and Volna radio (Russian language radio) for broadcasting in the Emirates.