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Ben Mosley is a renowned expressionist artist best known for being one of Britain’s leading live painters, as well as the official artist for the British Olympic team (Team GB).Influenced by legendary artists such as Picasso, Matisse, Van Gogh, and Lowry, Ben’s work is characterized by vibrant storytelling and dynamic live painting performances, which he’s taken up a notch by incorporating 24-karat gold and precious metals as hallmarks of his own unique style.A master storyteller through his art, Ben often captures pivotal moments live, producing works at significant events such as the FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley Stadium and the Dubai Desert Classic, where he was commissioned by the Emirates Golf Club to mark their 25th anniversary. His television appearances include broadcasts on Premier League TV, MTV, ESPN, the BBC, and ITV—where he famously painted live on national television.

I believe sport offers a profound sense of achievement and identity, inspiring individuals to reach for great things. 

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His artistic work and collaborations span the biggest names in sports and pop culture. When it came to the Olympics, he created live paintings at the 2024 event in Paris, and a live mural during the Tokyo games in 2020. He’s collaborated with Wembley Stadium, Manchester United, Tag Heuer and Porsche, and his works are in the private collections of an impressive coterie of celebrity fans, such as Naomi Osaka, Hugh Grant, Sir Geoff Hurst and Wayne Rooney.

Ben’s prominence in the art world led to his appointment as Club Wembley’s artist-in-residence, during which he created two large-scale murals depicting Wembley Stadium’s storied history from 1923 to the present day. His international representation includes showcasing the UK at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, in partnership with McDonald’s. His artwork “Fans of the World” was featured in a global promotional campaign, with McDonald’s changing their fry box design to display his work—a visual seen by an estimated 60 million people around the world.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Enjoy meeting Ben in an exclusive interview with Ithraeyat.&nbsp; &nbsp;</h4>

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Naomi and her butterfly.

Sport is a powerful force that unites people from all walks of life in celebration. It is a compelling subject for my art because of its tribal nature—the sense of belonging and community it fosters. I believe sport offers a profound sense of achievement and identity, inspiring individuals to reach for great things. The Olympics, in particular, symbolizes hope and the relentless pursuit of excellence, embodying the best of human potential.I love painting about sport because it captures the friendships, the team spirit, and the stories of perseverance that define it. For me, sport provides the perfect platform to tell stories of unity, passion, and aspiration through my art.

Q1. What does “sport” mean to you?  

Sport is a profound source of inspiration for my work. Football, in particular, holds a special place in my heart because of my childhood connection with my dad, who was a football manager for a small town in the UK.We are passionate supporters of Barnsley Football Club, and I am proud to be their official artist, having completed a 60-meter mural celebrating the club’s history.To me, football and sport in general are powerful vehicles for building friendships, forging relationships, and providing a sense of identity.I believe sport embodies these qualities and tells compelling stories of belief, determination, and hope—values beautifully captured in films like Chariots of Fire and the Rocky series.I love telling stories through my art, and sport is full of them. It reflects our generation’s spirit and, in the future, will stand as a testament to our society’s achievements. I believe sport has the power to inspire a nation and leave a lasting legacy of greatness for generations to come.

Q2. Why does sport inspire you in your art? 

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The Cover art: Team Spirit

Art means everything to me. To be an artist is a privilege, and I have always aspired to be a painter, inspired by my artistic heroes—Picasso, Matisse, and Van Gogh. I believe art is a powerful form of visual language, a way to communicate my vision to the world. I enjoy telling stories through my work and expressing myself through shape, pattern, and color. I’ve been painting the same since I was a child, and over time, I’ve continued to develop and refine my style.For me, staying true to my artistic principles and painting what I love are essential. I believe that genuine passion and authenticity shine through in my work. Being an artist is an incredible honour, and I am deeply grateful to be able to pursue a career I am so passionate about. I hope to continue creating and sharing my art for many years to come.

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Q3. What does art mean to you?

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Gold in Motion

Living up to its essence as a crossroads of cultures, creativity and art, Dubai hosted its 19th Art Dubai since its foundation back in 2007.&nbsp; Abuzz with the vibrant energy of visitors, artists, and creatives of all walks of life, Art Dubai celebrates the contemporary, the classical, the modern and the digital art worlds, as showcased through dozens of diverse galleries from around the world.&nbsp;While many art fairs and initiatives have now joined this colorful field (including Art Week Riyadh that debuted in 2025), Art Dubai is a pioneer that filled a crucial gap in the art market when it was launched, giving critical exposure to art from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.&nbsp;Today, Art Dubai is more than just an art fair—it’s a colorful creative oasis and a catalyst for cross-cultural dialogue, knowledge and artistic exchange. With each edition, it continues to push boundaries, championing underrepresented voices and unique creations, and dazzling audiences with its kaleidoscopic energy.In an interview with Ithraeyt, the Executive Director of Art Dubai Benedetta Ghione shares some insights into this edition of Art Dubai.

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Art Dubai is always evolving. We welcomed 120 galleries from over 40 countries across our four distinct gallery sections - Contemporary, Digital, Modern and Bawwaba. We continue to stay true to our commitment of championing galleries and artists from less-represented geographies and, for the first time, Art Dubai Modern will expand its remit to include an artist from Latin America.Art Dubai also hosts the most extensive talk programs of any international fair, collaborating with leading critics, scholars and visionaries who drive conversations around art and history from the region and beyond. We encourage critical discourse and educate audiences through initiatives like the Global Art Forum, modern and collecting talks in partnership with Dubai Collection, and The Digital Summit, which returned in 2025 for its second edition.At the heart of Art Dubai’s not-for-profit program is Art Dubai Commissions, where we invite artists to produce site-specific works as a means to support artistic production by local and international artists. This initiative further enhances the cultural landscape of Dubai. We work closely with global partners to create these new opportunities for artists, and long-term partner Julius Baer commissioned Emirati artist Mohammed Kazem to create a new digital work that focuses on the convergence of communities within the city of Dubai, titled Directions (Merging) -“(اتجاهات (تمازج”&nbsp;

1. Tell us what made this 19th edition of Art Dubai special? 

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Every year the fair has something new to offer and we pride ourselves on being a place of discoveries, and a gateway for learning and exchange for those experienced in the field as well as &nbsp;those discovering art for the first time. Thanks to our skilled and globally renowned curators, we have artwork from 40 different counties representing differing geographies, societies and challenges that are shaping our world today, side by side during the exhibition.&nbsp;

2. Why do you feel there is still interest in Art Dubai after nearly two decades after its launch? What keeps it going?

We welcomed Saudi artists, including Manal AlDowayan and also Sabrina Amrani, one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant contemporary artists and featured in the National Pavilion of Saudi Arabia. She explored metamorphosis, examining gender-biased customs and the cultural transformation reshaping Saudi Arabia. Her work, which spans mediums, navigates a territory where the personal and political overlap.Abdullah Al Othman, represented by Iris Projects, is one of the region’s most significant artists, focusing on the city’s changing landscape using local materials to reflect these shifts, with a research-based approach centred around symbols. For Art Dubai 2025, he created a new version of the work shown at the Lyon Biennial, deeply rooted in his study of Riyadh, while continuing to explore forgotten places and profound human concepts through diverse artistic mediums.Daniah Alsaleh’s work reflects on memory and cultural conditioning and how messages and beliefs are absorbed and delivered via media and other networks and was part of this year’s digital gallery section. Through different materials and computation, Daniah uses analogies to establish ways of reading and unearth unexpected perspectives. &nbsp;

3. Any milestones not to be missed?

There will always be the human side to art. Even with digital art, it needs a creative mind to envisage the piece and create it and a human understanding of how it represents what is happening in society today. It’s important to examine how artists and creative practitioners are integrating advanced technologies such as AI, virtual reality and augmented reality into their work to interrogate the environmental, social and political challenges of our time.&nbsp;&nbsp;And as the world evolves, so does its art, and we look forward to witnessing the creative energy of those in the creative cultural industries who reflect, challenge and sometimes push this domain into new frontiers.&nbsp;Discover more artists and enjoy the artworks via <a href="https://www.artdubai.ae/catalogue" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Art Dubai’s diverse Catalogue</a>. &nbsp;

4. What is your view on the rise of AI and the concerns of writers, creatives and artists becoming obsolete?

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Art Dubai: The Preeminent Oasis for Art

Sports and storytelling are two of the oldest human arts. Both flourished in different styles around the world: from stickball among the Algonquin people and falconry in ancient Mesopotamia to “mob football” in medieval England and the martial arts in China.These sports also influenced local literary forms, as storytellers vied to tell tales of winners and losers.Nowadays, to read a good sports story is to be transported to the scene: muscles tense as you cheer or flinch or shout advice at your favorite player. But in a great sports story, we find much more: explorations of the limits of the human body, thoughts about the nature of hierarchy, and diatribes on the essence of competition.&nbsp;Here we bring together works of memoir, fiction, photos and journalism, in a series that focuses on the arts of boxing, football, horse racing, running, fencing, and much more.

Maan Abu Taleb’s 2016 novel, All the Battles, centers around a successful Amman-based marketing executive named Saed Habjouqa, who realizes at the age of 28 that he wants to be a boxer. Saed peels away the veneer of his contemporary officer-worker life to engage in the ancient sport. To Saed, boxing is a story “told in a language that predated language itself.” But Abu Taleb’s book is not just about the thrills and anxieties of whether Saed will win his next bout. It’s about masculinity, social class, contemporary media, and choice—a philosophical page-turner for bibliophiles and non-readers alike.

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All the Battles, Maan Abu Taleb

Farid Abdel Azim takes the sport of football and uses its suspense, pacing, and quick turns to create a narrative that feels like a high-stakes match. The story follows a young man’s dream of becoming a footballer—and the daily struggles with his father and other authority figures en route to fulfilling this dream. The “running man” of the title alludes to all those who run full-tilt after success.&nbsp;

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The Diary of a Running Man, Farid Abdel Azim

This fast-paced horseracing novel, which was shortlisted for the 2024 International Prize for Arabic Fiction, is set in 1920s Cairo, mostly around a Heliopolis racetrack. Like many horseracing novels, the story transports readers to the heart of class and culture conflicts. Here, a poor boy named Fawzan finds himself forced to race in a contest spectated —and gambled on—by British and Egyptian royalty. When Fawzan’s horse unexpectedly wins, the novel’s main characters are thrown into a struggle for money, love, and power.

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Gambling on the Honor of Lady Mitzi, Ahmed Morsi

This book originated as a photo exhibition in Qatar in 2011 and features images and stories of 70 different Arab sportswomen. Featuring captivating photographs by Brigitte and Marian Lacombe, Hey’Ya tells the stories of extraordinary athletes from around the region. Athletes include Saudi equestrian Dalma Malhas, who won bronze in the Youth Olympics in Singapore in 2010; Tunisian fencer Sarra Besbes, a seven-time gold medalist at the African Fencing Championships; and the much-decorated women’s running team from Sudan.

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Hey’Ya Arab Women in Sports, by Brigitte Lacombe

This coming-of-age memoir tells the story of one woman’s unlikely journey in an even unlikelier sport. Growing up in New Jersey, Ibtihaj Muhammad fell in love with fencing. Since the 1700s, fencing has been an upper-class sport practiced by European royalty, and it still carried this air of exclusion into the 2000s. Yet, Ibtihaj persisted. And, in the 2016 Summer Olympics, she became the first hijabi American woman to compete in the Olympics, the first American Muslim woman to win an Olympic medal, and the first Black woman to win an Olympic medal in the sabre event. This book takes us through her journey with an easy charm.

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Proud: My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream, by Ibtihaj Muhammad with Lori Tharps

In this book, longlisted for the 2021 Ondaatje Prize, Michael Crawley immerses himself in Ethiopian running culture, giving insights into the secrets of Ethiopian marathoners’ success. This deeply researched book looks at how runners eat, train, race, and more. Crawley particularly focuses on the ways in which Ethiopian long-distance running is seen as a communal sport, in which “to be changed you have to run with others.”

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Out of Thin Air, Michael Crawley

What sports related book have you read lately? Send us your thoughts on your recent book adventures to <a href="mailto:ithraeyat@ithra.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ithraeyat@ithra.com</a>To enjoy the borderless world of books, please visit <a href="https://www.ithra.com/en/visit-ithra/attractions/library" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ithra library</a> and the <a href="https://arablit.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Arablit website</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Our Oldest Human Arts

Watching sports can mean a lot of things for different people. The love of competition, the sense of camaraderie cheering on a shared beloved team, or a passion for the craft itself and the skill and determination involved in honing the human body to do unimaginable and amazing things.Still, even for those of us that don't follow sports for any of those reasons, we still share in the humble admiration of the greats. We recognize the moments that stand out in history, the feats that cause humanity to collectively gasp in awe, the times where passion and energy and emotion and defiance scream out to say "Look at this! Look at what we can do!"These iconic images resonate because they encapsulate more than just athletic excellence—they immortalize powerful narratives that reflect cultural identity, historical triumphs, and personal struggles. Each photograph serves as a snapshot of human potential, a vivid reminder of perseverance, rebellion and inspiration. Whether it's Terry Fox redefining courage, Abebe Bikila shattering barriers barefoot, or Saeed Owairan electrifying a nation on the world stage, these visuals transcend borders and eras, etching themselves deeply into our collective memory.We share here just a handful of these moments – as there are far too many – &nbsp;captured for all of time: iconic images of iconic people doing what they do best.

What are some of the iconic sports images you remember? Share your memories with us here: <a href="mailto:ithraeyat@ithra.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ithraeyat@ithra.com</a>

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Iconic Pics of Legendary Athletes

Dear participants in the “Art of Sports” postcard competition, We extend our sincere thanks for your valuable participation. Your enthusiasm and engagement brought us great joy, and we were truly impressed by the high quality of the entries we received, which made the evaluation process a real challenge for our team. We are pleased to announce the names of the winners:<ol><li style="text-align:justify;">Mohammed Ayedh Al-Shehri</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Ali Al-Arbash</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Wejdan Al-Aradi</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Lamia Al-Shayban</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Reem Al-Awaji</li></ol>Due to the overwhelming number of wonderful submissions, we’ve also selected a group of ‘Special Mentions’—including a special category for children’s entries that truly captured the spirit of sports and inspired us all.Thank you for sharing your creativity and for being part of Ithraeyat’s journey. We look forward to featuring your work again in future editions—if not this time, then certainly in the next!All the best, The Ithraeyat Editorial Team &nbsp;

Winning Artworks

From the artist: The painting depicts four people in various costumes that could symbolize different regions of the Kingdom, such as the southern, western, central, and northern regions. The motifs and colors on their clothing appear inspired by Sadu patterns, Asiri Al-Qatt fabrics, Najdi embroidery, and other elements of local heritage.At the same time, each person carries a symbol for a different hobby or sport: golf, bowling, Formula One, football, tennis, and others. This combination reflects the cultural diversity and hobbies of modern Saudi society, where heritage meets modernity, and authenticity meets entertainment.

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Winning artwork: Mohammed Ayed Al-Shehri

It illustrates a tennis player in classic white sportswear, standing on a green court in a moment of pure focus and strength. What makes it special is the cultural touch — the player is wearing a traditional shemagh, blending sport with Saudi identity in a simple but powerful way.The overall design feels balanced, with a classic stamp look and a modern edge that captures the spirit of the event and the pride behind it.

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Winning artwork:  Ali Alarbash

From the artist: The artwork expresses a feeling toward football where the ball is the main symbol of this sport. And I wanted to emphasize its importance with a spontaneous, dreamy feel by adding stars and clouds and lines moving around it as if the ball were rising up into the sky.

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Winning artwork: Wejdan Hassan Alaradi

From the artist: In this artwork, I wanted to shed light on one of the most impactful elements that can make a real difference: encouragement.The audience is not merely a group of spectators; they are the heartbeat of the team, and every cheer they give translates into a surge of determination and enthusiasm in the player.To me, encouragement is not background noise; it is an active presence—one that can change the course of action and make a real difference in the life of anyone who hears it.

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Winning artwork:  Lamia Saud Al-Shayban

I used a Cubist and Abstract style to deconstruct the motion geometrically in an unconventional way.The artwork symbolizes a broader idea: that every person carries within them a moment where they channel all their energy toward what they believe in.

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winning artwork: Reem Al-Awaji

Special Mentions

Children’s Artworks

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Postcard Competition “The Art of Sports”

So who kicked the first ball? There are many stories about the origin of the beloved football, some even crediting the simple act of kicking a round pebble out of the way as the inspiration behind it.&nbsp;And indeed, there have been ball games across many cultures throughout history, but the earliest known game resembling football is the ancient Chinese game Cuju, literally meaning ‘kick the ball’, and dating back to 200 BCE.&nbsp;Ball games kept evolving across various cultures — including various types of rubber ball games played across ancient Mesoamerica that the Spanish encountered when they landed in the New World — until the 1800s when it became the current one beloved by people the world over.&nbsp;

From tracking the use of stone then rubber then wood elements to create sports gear and games, all the way to admiring the various forms of crowns and medals of sports champions, there are hundreds of wonderful artifacts and experiences to explore at the dynamic 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.One can spend a whole day roaming the seven galleries of the museum, and barely scratch the surface of the countless inspiring stories and the historic trove of sports-related memorabilia and artifacts owned (or signed) by iconic figures that shaped sports in one way or another.One gets to re-meet legendary sports figures in every field: Pelé in football, Michael Schumacher in F1, Muhammad Ali in boxing, Michael Jordan in basketball, Serena Williams in tennis, and many more from across the world. There are special sections for the Arab athletes like Olympics winners Nawal El Moutawakel from Morocco — the first Arab, African and Muslim woman to win the gold in 1984 in 400 meters hurdles event — and weightlifter Fares Ibrahim (the first Qatari to take the gold), and many others who are worth discovering and championing.&nbsp;

“This the first, the biggest and the only sports dedicated museum in the region,” said Abdulla Yousuf Al Mulla, Director of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.Speaking to Ithraeyat in an exclusive interview, Al Mulla expressed how the great passion, history and legacy of sports — both within Qatar and around the world — &nbsp;is captured in this impressive museum of 205,000 square feet.It is a cylindrical, glass-skinned structure, inspired by the five interlaced rings emblematic of the Olympic Games, that fits snugly around the curved side of the almost 50 year-old Khalifa International Stadium

“Sports unites people from around the world and from all cultures,” he said. “Here there is something for anyone who loves sports, whether one loves ancient sports or the Olympics, where we have original items including the torches that were carried in the Summer and Winter Olympics from 1936 onwards.”Indeed, one of the most memorable halls in the museum is the hall of torches, where these historic Olympics objects of all shapes and sizes appear to be floating in their columns of glass, each carrying an important piece of history.

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Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is the Chairperson of Qatar Museums, while Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Thani —a passionate sportsman and mountaineer who was the first Qatari to summit Mount Everest and Ama Dablam, reach the highest mountains of each of the seven continents, and ski to the South Pole — is the president of the sports museum.“Under her leadership, this museum was envisioned as a dynamic cultural space — one that preserves Qatar’s sporting heritage, showcases global achievements, and inspires future generations to strive for excellence,” said Al Mulla.“Her Excellency’s vision has guided us to create a space that connects people through shared values.”And sports will continue to unite us as we compete and celebrate and sometimes leave defeated to try again and again, to win for the self and for the nation.To visit the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, please click <a href="https://321qosm.org.qa/en/visit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>. It will be worth it!To read Ithraeyat’s exclusive interview with His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulla Al Thani, the President of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympics and Sports Museum, click <a href="https://ithraeyat.ithra.com/editions/art-of-sports/the-spirit-of-sport-sheikh-mohammed-bin-abdullah-al-thani" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.&nbsp;Explore some interesting elements from the museum’s collection:

While there was no official poster produced for the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens, the cover of the Report of the Games was later adopted for this purpose. Interesting note: The young female figure is shown dressed in an outfit dating to the end of the 1800s Athens, holding a branch and an olive wreath, a reference to the fact that at the ancient Olympics, the winner of each event was crowned with an olive wreath. Part of the <a href="https://collections.qm.org.qa/en?_gl=1*1ysau30*_gcl_au*NTcxMTEwODA5LjE3NDY0NDU2NjE.*_ga*MjAxNzMzNTg4Mi4xNzQ2NDQ1NjM5*_ga_3XB9X561TQ*czE3NDY2ODk1MzgkbzYkZzEkdDE3NDY2OTEzNjIkajYwJGwwJGgw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">distinguished collection</a> of 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.

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Athens 1896 Olympic Poster.

Moscow 1980 Olympic Mascot ‘Misha’. Designer: Victor A. Chizhikov.&nbsp;

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Moscow 1980 Olympic Mascot ‘Misha’.

The 1924 Summer Olympics took place in Paris, which became the first city to host them for a second time (after 1900). They were also the last Olympics organised under the presidency of the father of the modern Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin (1896–1925).Part of the <a href="https://collections.qm.org.qa/en?_gl=1*1ysau30*_gcl_au*NTcxMTEwODA5LjE3NDY0NDU2NjE.*_ga*MjAxNzMzNTg4Mi4xNzQ2NDQ1NjM5*_ga_3XB9X561TQ*czE3NDY2ODk1MzgkbzYkZzEkdDE3NDY2OTEzNjIkajYwJGwwJGgw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">distinguished collection</a> of 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.

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Paris 1924 Olympic Poster.

At the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada, two mascots were adopted for the first time. ‘Hidy’ and ‘Howdy’ were twins; the female and male version of a polar bear, a native mammal of Canada.The names of the mascots were chosen after a public competition. ‘Howdy’ is short for “how do you do”, a welcoming North American greeting. His outfit also adopts western Canadian culture. Part of the <a href="https://collections.qm.org.qa/en?_gl=1*1ysau30*_gcl_au*NTcxMTEwODA5LjE3NDY0NDU2NjE.*_ga*MjAxNzMzNTg4Mi4xNzQ2NDQ1NjM5*_ga_3XB9X561TQ*czE3NDY2ODk1MzgkbzYkZzEkdDE3NDY2OTEzNjIkajYwJGwwJGgw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">distinguished collection</a> of 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.

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 Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics Mascot ‘Howdy.’

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Where The World’s First Football Game Began

Postage stamps were first introduced in the 19th century—not merely as conveyances for sending letters, but as miniature canvases that encapsulate the identity, history, values, and even the culture of nations.The world’s first stamp, the “Penny Black”, issued in Britain in 1840, featured the image of Queen Victoria and marked the beginning of using art in stamps as a means of visual storytelling and historical documentation.Over the years, stamp design has grown to feature miniature pieces of art that capture a wide variety of themes.&nbsp;These include national symbols, landscapes, historical figures, classical and modern artworks, folk traditions, and even major sporting events and traditional games.

A noticeable richness in colors, lines, and visual symbols began to emerge. Postage stamps are typically issued to mark significant cultural, sporting, or political events, serving as a means of commemorating key moments in a nation's history. The design of these stamps is often entrusted to professional artists, highlighting the importance of their aesthetic and symbolic value.This compelling intersection between art and history—where the everyday function of a stamp meets creative expression—has turned postage stamps into mirrors of a nation’s soul, and a tool for promoting cultural and visual exchange between peoples. It is no wonder that stamp collecting has become a popular hobby, with many enthusiasts viewing them as collectible pieces of artistic and cultural significance.In the images ahead, we invite you to explore the world of postage stamps that shine a light on traditional sports and major sporting events, both local and international. We hope you enjoy the journey!

Here are some special Saudi stamps:

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Tiny Triumphs - Stamps Celebrating Sport

A vibrant celebration of human culture, athleticism, artistry and the spirit of community, the beautiful game — from bustling streets to grand stadiums — has always united people regardless of their backgrounds. Truly, it is a universal language of connection and shared passion.At its core, football embodies the spirit of simplicity, but also creativity and innovation. It constantly evolves, embracing new tactics and technologies and supporting different communities. Over the years, football has transcended the boundaries of physical competition to become a canvas for cultural storytelling.&nbsp;A shining example of this was the intersection between football and art which unfolded during the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022. For the first time, artists from each participating nation created original artworks that paid homage to their countries’ unique cultural identities. Selected based on their experience with Web3, each artist’s piece reflected not only national pride but also the colors of the national teams’ kits, weaving together striking visuals and national symbolism.This exhibit went beyond traditional art forms, as each match was transformed into a one-of-a-kind NFT artwork, capturing the essence of the game in a new medium. As the title of the exhibit suggests, each featured art piece told the story of what happened during the match using geometrical elements to reflect scored goals, attempted shots, ball possession and other relevant stats. By the time the ref blew the final whistle, fans and collectors could own a piece of football history, a digital token that encapsulated the passion, energy and cultural significance of each fixture.This fusion of football, art and blockchain technology highlighted how the sport continues to serve as a platform for cultural expression. It showed that football is not just a game played on the field but a dynamic cultural phenomenon that inspires creativity, celebrates diversity and embraces art and tech.Ithra launched From Strike to Stroke, the first ever NFT exhibition of football, with an historic campaign that turned the 64 games played during the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 into a unique collection of art.&nbsp;Enjoy exploring NFT artworks:&nbsp;

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From Strike to Stroke:  First NFT Football Exhibition 

Climbing the Seven Summits—culminating with Everest—was the greatest teacher I’ve ever had. Each mountain taught me something different, but Everest was where I discovered who I really am. Through those climbs, I found the seven values that now define my life: passion, belief, patience, persistence, appreciation, humility, and inspiration.

At the helm of Qatar’s groundbreaking 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum stands a man who embodies the very spirit of adventure while conquering heights and breaking new records. His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani isn’t just a museum president—he’s a record-breaking mountaineer, a sportsman, an explorer, a serial entrepreneur, and a philanthropist reshaping the intersection of sports, culture, and technology in the Gulf.He is the first Qatari to reach the summit of Mount Everest (8,848m) — the tallest mountain on Earth — climb to the peak of Ama Dablam (6,812m) and completed the Seven Summits, standing atop the highest mountains on every continent. He even skied to the South Pole.&nbsp;The athletic side of Sheikh Mohammed is just one part of his story. In an exclusive interview with ithraeyat, we met with His Highness to better understand the story behind the sports museum, his philosophy, and find out more about his own journey with sports and the importance of believing in oneself.&nbsp; &nbsp;

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As President of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, I see it as more than a building—it’s a living symbol of what human potential looks like. Both the museum and I share the same mission: to inspire youth through the power of sport, and to show them that “impossible” is just a word. When someone steps into the museum, I hope they leave with the same fire an athlete feels when they achieve their dream. I’m deeply grateful to Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani for her vision and guidance, and for always giving us the space to grow, to challenge ourselves, and to inspire others. My favorite gallery is the Trophy Gallery, where every Olympic torch since the beginning of the Games is on display—it’s a reminder that the flame of human achievement never dies. I’m also proud of the Sports in Qatar section, which celebrates the achievements of my country and reflects our spirit and ambition.

Q1. Why is a sports museum important? And what is the hope for everyone who visits the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum?

Climbing the Seven Summits—culminating with Everest—was the greatest teacher I’ve ever had. Each mountain taught me something different, but Everest was where I discovered who I really am. Through those climbs, I found the seven values that now define my life: passion, belief, patience, persistence, appreciation, humility, and inspiration. These aren’t just words—they are lessons the mountains carved into me, one painful step at a time. When I share my story, it’s not to highlight the summit, but to reflect the journey that led me there.

Q2. Can you tell us about your own adventures on the highest mountains?

Ten days on the ice, just me and my closest friends, skiing toward a point no one can see—following only a compass. No crowds. No noise. Just the cold, the silence, and ourselves. It was a fully unsupported expedition. We carried everything in and out. The cold tested our limits, but it also stripped away everything superficial. That solitude taught me more than any lecture ever could about resilience, clarity, and the quiet strength of a committed heart.

Q3. What is your most memorable moment at the South Pole?

Resilience and determination: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani is the first Qatari to reach the summit of Mount Everest (8,848m) — the tallest mountain on Earth — climb to the peak of Ama Dablam (6,812m) and completed the Seven Summits, standing atop the highest mountains on every continent.

I want Arab youth to believe that they belong on the world stage, that their dreams are not only valid but attainable. We have the talent. What we need is more belief, and more support structures to help these dreams take shape. If I could tell a 14-year-old Arab athlete just one thing, it would be: Never stop believing. Anything you set your mind to is possible. Just take it one step at a time.

Q4. What is your hope for Arab youth and their stories in the world of sports?

For me, it’s personal. One of the people I admire most is Zed Al-Rifa’i, the first Arab to climb Mount Everest and complete the Seven Summits. He wasn’t just a pioneer; he was my mentor. He introduced me to mountaineering and helped me see that these distant peaks weren’t out of reach. His journey wasn’t easy, but his persistence, humility, and quiet belief opened the path for the rest of us. He didn’t just climb mountains, he broke barriers for an entire generation of Arabs. I carry his influence with me on every summit.

Q5. Are there sports heroes you admire, and why?

Education is the cause closest to my heart. It’s the most powerful gift we can give, and the most transformative tool we can offer. Through my expeditions, we’ve raised millions to support education initiatives across the region and beyond. Climbing gave me purpose, but giving back gave me meaning. Every step I’ve taken on a mountain has been in service of something bigger.

Q6. What causes are important to your heart?

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Learning more about oneself as one climbs.

I don’t believe in choosing one path. For me, sport, business, and giving back are all connected. They come from the same fire. What keeps me going is commitment, discipline, persistence, and one simple truth: If I don’t love it, I don’t do it. You don’t need to fit into a box. You just need to stay true to your purpose and never take a day off from it.

Q7. What is your hope for future generations when it comes to pioneering more than one path—combining sports, business, and philanthropy?

I don’t want to be remembered for a summit I reached or a record I broke. I want to be remembered as someone who gave, who helped others believe in themselves, who pulled people out of their comfort zones, and who lived with intention. That, to me, is the highest form of achievement. As we have learned from Sheikh Mohammed, pushing oneself outside one’s comfort zone, trying out new challenges and exploring the vast world of sports, are just some of the ways of growing and becoming part of a bigger personal and collective story.

Q8. Is there an art piece or personal achievement you'd like to highlight?

To find out more about the impressive 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum featured in Ithraeyat, <a href="https://ithraeyat.ithra.com/editions/art-of-sports/where-the-world-s-first-football-game-began" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.To plan your visit to the sports museum next time you are in Qatar, please check the museum’s <a href="https://321qosm.org.qa/en/visit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">official website.</a>&nbsp;

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The Spirit of Sport: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani

In 1990, in the heart of Milan, a twelve-year-old Italian boy watched with his friends a football miracle: Cameroon defeats Maradona. However, the boy did not pay attention to who scored the goal, but to the one who kept his team steady with only nine players, against the legends from the Tango nation. That goalkeeper, who appeared to him like the heroes of epics, standing tall between the posts, was Thomas N'Kono. And from that moment, Gianluigi Buffon changed his favored position from midfielder to goalkeeper, to later become a legend himself, as if carrying that moment forward.It is a story that echoes the tale of Theseus when he saw Heracles in his grandfather’s palace and chose to follow in his path of danger and glory. Both the Italian boy and the Greek boy saw in those men not just a person, but a road worth following. And that is when a legend is born: when fleeting moments are etched in us – forever.&nbsp;I began with these stories for one reason: to ask why we choose to imbue them with such admiration and emotion, wrapping them in meanings far beyond the events themselves? This question points toward a deeper truth, especially when it comes to football. We do not just watch the game; we mythologize it, and those who play it. But why?Is it because people today suffer from a weakened spiritual connection?Is it to feel a sense of belonging?Or is it because football’s icons shield our memories, and without the myth, our memories might feel hollow?

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What is a legend?

Few are better equipped to answer that question than Roland Barthes, the French semiotician (a specialist who studies signs and meanings), who explored and expanded the meanings of myths in modern society. Barthes defines myth as a “system of communication’’, a ‘’message’’, or a ‘’mode of signification.” Myth, he argues, does not erase reality, but refines it. It reinterprets the event so that it appears in its ideal image, not necessarily in its full truth.Maradona, in this context, is a living example of what Barthes described. A genius and chaotic player, he experienced towering highs and devastating lows, and was far from a picture of perfection. Yet society did not see him as ordinary; he became a symbol. In Argentina, he was the "Hand of God,” a moment seen by many as symbolic revenge after the Falklands War. In poor and marginalized Naples, he became a near-deity, a symbol of rebellion against the dominance of the wealthy north. The image of Maradona the man faded, replaced by the legend that interpreted even his flaws as signs of sincerity and closeness to the people.As Barthes saw it, mythical narratives overshadowed reality and transformed a historical fact into a natural destiny, as if Maradona had not been born a footballer, but a savior of the people.&nbsp;But what is more striking is that even those who never witnessed such moments came to venerate the legends behind them. A child in a distant corner of the world calls Pelé a legend, even though he never saw him play. Here, Eric Hobsbawm’s idea of “invented traditions” becomes useful: many of the emotional certainties we live by are of recent origin, but through repetition, they gain weight of age and are treated as absolute truths.

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The Player or the Journey?

When we speak of Majed Abdullah or Youssef Al-Thunayan, we almost see them standing toe-to-toe with the world’s greatest players, even though we have little that proves this certainty. In fact, we create phrases that frame them in legend: “A PlayStation player in the Atari era” or “Born on the wrong continent.” Expressions that defy logic, yet satisfy a collective need for someone to represent us, someone onto whom we project what our own feet could not achieve. Not deception, but consolation.In a time of repeated footballing disappointments, we cling to what remains in memory and immortalize it. This does not mean that these legends are false, but rather that their truth is not measured only by what is provable. As Hobsbawm put it, “Traditions are responses to new situations that take the form of invoking an ancient past.” In other words, we create legends when reality no longer feels sufficient.

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So, it’s not just about the player, but the journey he undertakes. Here we have Joseph Campbell, who traced the “hero’s journey” in mythology: from the call to adventure, trials and challenges, and a return with wisdom. This is exactly what we see in Messi and Ronaldo, two legends on opposite paths:● Ronaldo: the self-made hero, who rose from nothing, forging his path with iron will. ● Messi: The chosen child, the gifted one, who fought to protect his purity in a tainted world.One represents ambition, the other a miracle. And like many legends, neither is complete without a rival. That is why their fans continue to argue, not just over players, but over stories, over meanings they choose to believe in. &nbsp;

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The most transparent moments are those in which Buffon, after all the glory, still remembers N'Kono. I, too, went back to search for that glow and found N'Kono to be a good goalkeeper, no better than what Mohammed Al-Deayea, for example, had offered. But N'Kono appeared to Buffon at the right moment, at a fragile stage of formation, when even the shadow of a man can stand in for a legend.Perhaps this is what makes football, as Simon Critchley suggests, more than a sport. It is a social ritual that performs the role of myth. When we chant for a player, we are chanting for our disappointments and our hopes, our chaos and our small triumphs. And when we immortalize a player, we are not describing his talent, but recording the moment we touched meaning.&nbsp;Legends are not falsehoods, but another language through which we understand the world. And when we repeat the names of Pelé, Maradona, Majed, Al-Thunayan, Messi, Ronaldo, we are not just recalling those who played well, but those who lit something in us that we were on the verge of losing.

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 The Football Odyssey: Between Memory and Myth

Their hoods are as distinctive as their feathers and style.But these intricate hoods are more than a stylish accessory representing tradition and cultural pride. They help calm the bird and control its focus during training sessions, whereby removing the hood signals it’s time for some falconry. It also prevents the bird of prey from getting frightened during travel or when in crowded areas.They are often handmade from fine leather and decorated with embroidery or tassels, especially in Middle Eastern falconry. Traditional Arab falcon hoods are known as "al-burqa" or "al-qaffaz" in Arabic, and are always works of art, reflecting heritage, creativity, status, and craftsmanship.&nbsp;They are often hand-stitched or carved, bearing geometric, floral, arabesque and Islamic motifs with intricate stitching in gold, silver, or colored thread. They commonly feature tribal symbols, or in the case of European hoods, royal crests or national colors.

Every part of Falconry is an art.


Besides a deadly sport for the prey being hunted by the bird, falconry is an old tradition. Also known as "hawking," it is the traditional practice of training birds of prey (such as falcons, hawks, eagles, and owls) to hunt wild game in cooperation with humans.Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, falconry dates back more than 4,000 years and spans cultures from the Arabian deserts to medieval Europe and Central Asia.The falcon has been a &nbsp;cultural bird and symbol of nobility in the Middle East since ancient times, and remains a national symbol in Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates..We leave you with an interesting fact: A falcon’s dive is called a "stoop" — a high-speed attack so precise, it rarely misses.So it’s always best to remember to keep that hood on, just in case! .&nbsp;

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The Art of Falcon Hoods 

Since Saudi Arabia set up its first official sports authority back in 1954, the country’s sports scene has changed a lot. What started as a simple step has grown into a bold dream to become a major player on the global sports stage. Today, that dream is coming true, with the Kingdom hosting many more big international events that are catching the world’s eye.With the generous permission of the Saudi Ministry of Sport, we’re excited to share a selection of important upcoming dates in the Kingdom’s sporting calendar. Get ready and mark your calendars!

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Saudi Sports: Decades of Achievements

Your eyes behold the <a href="https://www.thesistinechapel.org/visit-sistine-chapel-vatican-museums" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">art</a> of Italian sculptor, architect, and poet Michelangelo created &nbsp;between 1508 and 1512. But this is not a sightseeing trip to Rome.&nbsp;You are not standing in the Sistine Chapel, gazing up at its ceiling. You are not in a museum, and you are certainly not scrolling through a social media page filled with famous artworks.You are in a football stadium in Madrid 2008, just before the kickoff in the famous derby between archrivals Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. In the stands, Real Madrid’s hardcore fan group, known as Ultras Sur, decided to create their own version of Michelangelo’s masterpiece.&nbsp;At the center, where the hands nearly touch, they’ve added a twist: the Real Madrid emblem, glowing with light. Below the image, they wrote the caption: “And He Performed the Miracle,” signifying that the universe revolved around their club, beginning with it and ending with it.How did this painting make its way into a football stadium? When did these stadiums begin to transform into competitive art galleries between fans?

In 1968, the group Fossa dei Leoni (The Lion’s Den) was founded, a hardcore fan group of AC Milan and the first functional group of its kind in the world.Italian journalist Pierluigi Spagnolo, in his book Ribelli degli Stadi: Una storia del movimento ultras italiano (Rebels of the Stands: A History of Italian Fandom), traces the emergence of The Lion’s Den and many other groups formed during the same period to the wave of student protests that swept through Italy in early 1968.This connection is crucial to understanding the unique style of support these groups adopted. They weren’t just fanatics like the English “hooligans” of the time; their ideas and culture had deep political and intellectual roots. Naturally, this had a direct impact on the rise of large-scale supporter displays, or tifos, which began appearing in Italian stadiums in the late 1960s and early 1970s.&nbsp;The relationship between politics and sport in Italy is deeply intertwined. Football clubs are often viewed through an ideological lens.AC Milan, for example, is traditionally seen as the club of the working class, originally tied to railway workers. Inter Milan, by contrast, has long been associated with the middle class of Milan and its surrounding suburbs.In the central-northern region of Emilia, Bologna supporters are typically linked to the political left, while Hellas Verona is known for its association with the conservative currents of the Veneto region.

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