Opinion

Saudi sports

December 19, 2023
Saudi sports

Majed Garoub

Saudi Arabia is on track to win the bid to host FIFA’s 2034 World Cup merely days after winning the right to host World Expo 2030 — a date favored by the Saudis for its correlation to Saudi Arabia’s achievements in Vision 2030.

Recently, Saudi Arabia has become a hub for hosting various international sporting events, extending beyond just football and potentially to the upcoming Formula 1 season, as well as the Dakar International Rally in motorsports.

In the coming days, the the country will host events including the World Boat Championship in water sports, and in January the Desert Polo Championship in Al-Ula. Similar to Diriyah, despite its fame for hosting electric car racing, these locations have become capitals for hosting various sporting events.

Furthermore, there has been a growing interest in organizing and hosting sporting events in fields like management, law, technology and others.

These developments serve as a tremendous incentive for both national and international investments in the sports sector, particularly those aligned with entertainment and tourism. This, in turn, contributes to enhancing quality in the sports industry, with direct support from the ministries of Investment, Sports, Tourism, and Culture, in addition to the subsidiaries of the Public Investment Fund, including Kayani, Sarj and Asfar — all of whom have collaborated to support the associated sectors via funds dedicated to tourism, culture, and sports.

To strengthen investment in motorsports, Al-Reem International Circuit in Riyadh will be officially reopened with the support and participation of the Ministry of Investment. The circuit has the capacity to host a diverse array of car and motorcycle events.

Additionally, the Polo Federation plans to organize the first women's tournament next year. This significant milestone follows the establishment of Saudi Arabia's first women's polo team, which will compete against teams comprising talented female athletes from the Middle East and Europe.

Saudi sports is rapidly evolving and presents unwavering support to entertainment, tourism and culture and enhancing the quality of life for the people.


December 19, 2023
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