Sport

Looking ahead to last day of Paris 2024

After over two weeks of competition, the last 13 gold medals will be awarded on the final day of the Games, before the Closing Ceremony on Sunday evening

Published

2 years ago

August 11, 2024

Ariana News

With 15 days down, just one day of competition remains at Paris 2024.

After over two weeks of competition, the last 13 gold medals will be awarded on the final day of the Games, before the Closing Ceremony in the evening at the Stade de France.

The women’s marathon on Sunday morning concludes the athletics programme, a traditional end to that sport but with a twist, celebrating women in honor of the Women’s March on Versailles, a historic event in French history.

Also, the public will have had a chance to run along the course at the Marathon Pour Tous, which takes place overnight from 10-11 August.

At the Bercy Arena, the women’s basketball final on Sunday afternoon will be the final event of the entire Games. Team USA will be expected to win their eighth straight title.

At the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome, the last three track cycling finals will take place, including in the men’s keirin.

The two-time defending champion, Jason Kenny, has retired from the sport, meaning there will be a new champion in the event. British riders have won gold at this event since Beijing 2008, with Chris Hoy winning the two before Kenny.

Those are big shoes for Jack Carlin or Hamish Turnbull to fill.

Colombia’s Kevin Quintero, who was one of his country’s Opening Ceremony flag-bearers, is the reigning world champion and will attempt to win the first Colombian track cycling gold.

Closing Ceremony brings curtain down

After all the events are done, it is time to finally celebrate the previous 16 days. The Stade de France will host the Closing Ceremony (9pm Paris time), a chance for the athletes to mingle amongst themselves and reflect on another Olympic Games.

Plus there will be the much-anticipated handover from Paris 2024 to Los Angeles 2028.

And as the Olympic Cauldron is extinguished, attention will turn towards the Paralympic Games, which open on 28 August, and Milano Cortina 2026, the next Olympic Winter Games, in barely a year and a half.

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Sport

Afghan cricket delegation travels to China for technical cooperation

Published

4 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Ariana News

A delegation from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has traveled to China following an official invitation from the Chinese government, in a move aimed at strengthening sports diplomacy and expanding technical cooperation in cricket between the two countries.

The delegation includes national coach Nawroz Mangal and players Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Faisal Shinozada, and Wahidullah Zadran.

Before their departure, ACB Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan met with the delegation, reaffirming the board’s commitment to developing and globalizing Afghan cricket. He also referenced previous international engagement efforts, including a memorandum of understanding signed with the Uzbekistan Cricket Federation focused on cricket development and technical collaboration.

Naseeb Khan highlighted existing economic and industrial ties between Afghanistan and China, expressing optimism that sports cooperation—particularly in cricket—could further strengthen bilateral relations. He emphasized that knowledge-sharing, technical exchange, and joint development initiatives would support the growth of the sport in both countries.

During their visit, the Afghan delegation is expected to hold discussions on cricket development, community engagement, and the role of sport in society. The program also includes participation in workshops, attendance at a cricket match organized by Chinese cricket authorities, and visits to sports technology and innovation exhibitions.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has increasingly pursued regional partnerships in recent years. Last year, it signed a cooperation agreement with the Uzbekistan Cricket Federation covering technical exchange, capacity building, development programs, and educational workshops aimed at expanding cricket infrastructure and expertise in the region.

Sport

Los Angeles to welcome the world with historic FIFA World Cup 2026 opening event

Published

10 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Ariana News

The United States is set to welcome the world with a major opening ceremony for the FIFA World Cup 2026, as Los Angeles prepares to host a star-powered celebration marking the start of the tournament across North America.

FIFA announced that global music stars including Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla will headline the ceremony at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday, June 12.

The event will officially launch what FIFA described as a “historic summer of football” across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Organizers said the ceremony will combine football, music and entertainment in a large-scale production designed to reflect the cultural diversity and global appeal of the tournament.

Gianni Infantino said the ceremony in Los Angeles would showcase the scale and ambition of the 2026 World Cup, adding that the lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the power of music to unite people.

For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, three opening ceremonies will take place across the three host nations. Mexico City will host the first ceremony on June 11, followed by celebrations in Toronto and Los Angeles on June 12.

The opening match in the United States will see the U.S. national team face Paraguay. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature a record 104 matches across 16 host cities, beginning on June 11 in Mexico City and ending with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Football fans in Afghanistan will be able to follow all the action live on the Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), which holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for the tournament in the country. ATN will broadcast matches live on Ariana Television, providing full coverage of the world’s biggest football event for Afghan viewers.

Fans are also encouraged to stay connected with Ariana Television and Ariana News on social media for the latest updates, including match schedules, team news, and other FIFA World Cup 2026 developments as the tournament draws closer.

Sport

Canada to host opening ceremony for FIFA World Cup 2026 in Toronto

Published

13 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Ariana News

Canada will host a special opening ceremony for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Toronto on 12 June 2026, shortly before its first match in the tournament.

The event will feature performances by global and Canadian artists, including Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Nora Fatehi, Elyanna, and others. The ceremony will celebrate Canada’s diversity and the spirit of football.

FIFA said the show will highlight unity across the three host countries — Canada, Mexico, and the United States — and include a creative display inspired by the World Cup trophy.

“The opening ceremony in Toronto will be a powerful reflection of Canada’s identity and the energy surrounding the FIFA World Cup 2026™,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “Through music, culture and unforgettable performances, we will welcome the world with a celebration that is uniquely Canadian while also connected to a larger story unfolding across Mexico and the United States. It will be a moment of pride, unity and anticipation as Canada takes its place on football’s biggest stage.”

Canada will play Bosnia and Herzegovina in its opening match, marking its first-ever World Cup game on home soil.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature 104 matches across 16 cities, with the final scheduled for 19 July 2026 in New York/New Jersey.