分类： sports

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — In a landmark recognition of sporting excellence, six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon has been formally knighted in New Zealand’s prestigious New Year Honors list. The celebrated driver, now officially known as Sir Scott Ronald Glyndwr Dixon, was bestowed the title of Knight Commander of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his extraordinary services to motor sport and charitable endeavors.

Expressing profound surprise at the honor, Dixon remarked, ‘I’ve been called a lot of things, but I never thought that ‘Sir’ was going to be one of them. The news was totally out of the blue. It triggers a rapid reflection on my entire journey, from the first time driving a go-kart to all the subsequent memories that happened at warp speed.’

Born in Australia to New Zealand-born parents who later returned to Auckland, Dixon’s racing career began with karting titles in both Australia and New Zealand before he advanced to compete in Indy Lights and CART series in the United States. Since joining IndyCar in 2003, he has compiled one of the most impressive records in motorsport history, competing for 23 consecutive seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing. His career statistics include 58 wins, 142 podium finishes from 380 starts, 32 pole positions, and championship titles spanning 2003 to 2020, including his iconic 2008 Indianapolis 500 victory.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon praised Dixon as ‘a hero to young New Zealand motor sport fans’ while highlighting his ‘invaluable work fundraising for children’s charities.’ This aspect of Dixon’s legacy was particularly emphasized by the driver himself, who noted that recognition ‘is all about outside racing, giving back to the community and the partnerships you make away from the track.’

The knighthood arrives alongside another significant honor—Dixon’s induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2024, cementing his status as one of motorsport’s most decorated international competitors.

DUBAI – Football legend Ronaldo Nazário, widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in the sport’s history, has declared that contemporary training methodologies have revolutionized athletic preparation, making them dramatically more efficient than those from his playing era. Speaking at the World Sports Summit in Dubai, the Brazilian icon provided a compelling comparison between past and present approaches to player development.

Known during his career as ‘O Fenômeno’ for his extraordinary abilities, Ronaldo contrasted the rigid, uniform training regimens of the past with today’s personalized, scientifically-informed methods. He recalled particularly challenging pre-season experiences where players across all positions were subjected to identical endurance-based workouts regardless of their specific role requirements.

“I distinctly remember the immense difficulty during pre-seasons where coaching staff would have me running extensive distances alongside teammates like Roberto Carlos and Cafu, who were renowned for their exceptional endurance,” Ronaldo explained. “This approach was fundamentally mismatched with my position as a striker whose effectiveness depended on explosive acceleration and rapid bursts over short distances rather than long-distance stamina.”

The two-time Ballon d’Or winner emphasized that modern training has evolved to focus on position-specific conditioning and individualized programs that maximize efficiency while minimizing unnecessary physical strain. This targeted approach allows players to develop precisely the skills and physical attributes most relevant to their role on the pitch.

“Contemporary training philosophy recognizes that a striker doesn’t need to run 10 kilometers daily,” Ronaldo noted. “Instead, they engage in specialized drills that enhance their explosive power, quick directional changes, and finishing techniques – making every training session profoundly more productive.”

Since retiring from professional football in 2011 after celebrated tenures with Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid, Ronaldo has transitioned to administrative roles within football organizations. He now actively advocates for these modern training principles, sharing his perspectives with current players and technical staff.

Ronaldo’s observations highlight a significant evolution in sports science that has transformed how athletes prepare physically and technically. This shift toward smarter, more targeted training represents one of the most substantial improvements in football’s ongoing development, potentially extending careers and enhancing performance quality across the sport.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has generated unprecedented global interest, shattering all previous ticketing records with an astonishing 150 million ticket requests from fans across more than 200 countries within just 15 days of the random selection draw phase opening. FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed these remarkable figures during his address at the World Sports Summit in Dubai on Monday, highlighting the extraordinary demand that far exceeds anything in the tournament’s century-long history.

The staggering numbers translate to approximately 10 million daily ticket requests, demonstrating the massive global appeal of the upcoming tournament. Infantino contextualized this overwhelming response by noting that throughout the nearly 100-year history of the World Cup, FIFA has sold a total of 44 million tickets—meaning the current demand could theoretically fill three centuries worth of tournaments.

The 48-team competition, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will be hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. According to FIFA’s data, American fans have submitted the highest number of ticket requests, followed by supporters from Germany and the United Kingdom.

The current ticket request phase remains open until January 13, after which a random selection draw will be conducted to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants. Unsuccessful candidates will have additional opportunities to secure seats during subsequent sales phases as more tickets become available. Infantino characterized this overwhelming global response as a testament to football’s unifying power and promised a historic celebration of unity and sporting excellence in North America.

Dubai prepares to host the prestigious UAE Polo Federation Cup from January 5-17, 2026, with eight premier teams confirmed for what promises to be a spectacular display of equestrian sport excellence. The Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club will serve as the venue for this highly anticipated tournament, following the official live draw that revealed the participating teams and match schedule.

The competing organizations include UAE Polo, Noon Polo, Banghash Polo, Bhansali Polo, Jehangiri Polo, El Basha Polo, Equiti Polo, and Bindrai Polo—each featuring accomplished players from the international polo community. These teams will engage in intense matches throughout the nearly two-week competition, building toward the championship finale on January 17.

Tournament director Santiago Torreguitar of the UAE Polo Federation emphasized the event’s significance: ‘The UAE Polo Federation Cup remains a fundamental component of our competitive calendar, showcasing regional talent and our dedication to advancing polo at the highest caliber. With eight exceptional teams and a meticulously planned fixture, spectators can anticipate exhilarating matches and world-class polo throughout the season.’

Shokry Abouelsoud, General Manager of Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, expressed pride in hosting both the draw and the upcoming tournament: ‘Our club provides a distinctive environment where sport, tradition, and community converge. We eagerly anticipate welcoming players, families, and polo enthusiasts for a memorable tournament experience both on and off the field.’

Beyond the competitive action, the event offers a complete cultural experience with premium amenities including the Terrace dining area, à la carte options at the Dubai Polo Bar, and picnic accommodations for lawn seating. The tournament blends high-level athletic competition with social engagement, providing visitors an immersive introduction to the UAE’s vibrant polo lifestyle.

Dubai has been selected as the host city for the inaugural FIFA Awards ceremony in 2026, marking a significant partnership between the global football governing body and the emirate. The announcement was made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during his keynote address at the World Sports Summit in Madinat Jumeirah on December 29, 2025.

The newly established FIFA Awards will recognize exceptional football players, coaches, and teams worldwide, with the first ceremony scheduled to take place in Dubai next year. Infantino emphasized FIFA’s commitment to global football development, revealing that the organization invests billions of dollars worldwide to support the sport’s growth.

‘We are investing billions of dollars in football development all over the world. As FIFA, we want to have the entire world involved,’ Infantino stated during his summit address. ‘We need to develop club football everywhere in the world, and we need to give opportunities everywhere in the world for clubs and for players to play at the highest level.’

The FIFA president further detailed the organization’s ambitious academy program, noting that 100 elite talent development academies are planned for establishment by next year. Infantino extended an invitation to the UAE to potentially host the 101st academy, demonstrating FIFA’s commitment to regional football development.

The World Sports Summit, running from December 29-30, 2025, has attracted numerous sporting icons including tennis champion Novak Djokovic, mixed martial arts legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, and football great Ronaldo Nazário. The event serves as a platform for major sports announcements and international collaboration discussions.

This partnership with Dubai represents FIFA’s latest initiative to globalize football recognition and development, building on their 2023 commitment to establish elite academies across all 211 member association countries by 2027. The organization also provides grants to member countries for improving football infrastructure and development programs.