FSB Sports Show Riyadh spotlights exhibitors powering sports, leisure solutions for urban future
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's ambitious plans to be a center for world-class sports infrastructure and recreation spaces are gaining momentum, with more than $2 billion in committed investments and a projected $5.9 billion in sports sector revenue by 2030.
With major international events, including the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, Asian Winter Games in NEOM's Trojena in 2029, Riyadh Expo 2030, FIFA World Cup 2034 and the Asian Games in Riyadh in 2034 on the horizon, the Kingdom is accelerating development as part of Vision 2030.
Aligned with this ambition, the inaugural FSB Sports Show Riyadh — organized by DMG Events and Koelnmesse — welcomed thousands of industry leaders and professionals this week at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.
Rob Hetherington, group business development director at Gebal Group, which was among the exhibitors, said: 'Saudi is our most important market that we are focusing on right now.
'We have been working in Saudi for five years now and have already developed over 40 to 50 outdoor spaces. So we have got a team that's growing into double figures. Our company has 400-plus people and we are going to rapidly grow into the Saudi market.'
The company designs and supplies outdoor recreation areas and has developed skate parks for the Red Sea Project and at the Qiddiyah entertainment city, NEOM and Sports Boulevard, among other places.
'We delivered lots of fanzone spaces in Qatar for the World Cup. Our plan is to do the same thing for the World Cup in Saudi Arabia,' Hetherington said.
Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president for construction at DMG, said: 'From active cities and giga-projects to school playgrounds and public parks, Saudi Arabia is transforming how it designs and delivers spaces for sports, wellness and recreation.'
Denis Steker, senior international vice president at Koelnmesse, said: 'FSB is the international benchmark for innovations in sports and leisure facilities. As Saudi Arabia scales up investment across public parks, playgrounds or stadiums to increase the health and well-being of the public, now is the ideal time to bring this event to Riyadh.'
At the show, which ran from Monday to Wednesday, Scott Van Der Kleij, sales director at exhibitor GreenFields, told Arab News: 'We are here to get a better understanding of what the Saudi market is and especially towards the FIFA World Cup 2034.'
Ramsha Asghar, director for sports flooring at Neo Sports, said the event had 'been a really good opportunity to showcase our material and speak to really high-end individuals, and I am really excited for what's to come from the sports projects.'
Bill Lennox, managing director at Yardex, which supplies artificial grass and is FIFA-certified, told Arab News he saw 'tremendous volume and potential for the product' in Saudi Arabia.
The sports show was held concurrently with the International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia.
Gerald Bose, president and CEO of Koelnmesse, said: 'Launching both FSB Sports Show and International Hardware Fair marks a significant step in connecting global expertise with Saudi Arabia's rapidly advancing sectors.'
With more than 200 exhibitors and brands, the FSB Sports Show supported the Kingdom's plans to develop inclusive and modern environments for community wellness and active living.
Among the standout attractions were TeleiosX, which gave visitors the chance to experience competitive, full-motion racing on the show floor, and a virtual golf simulator presented by Marafei Almarefah.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Strengthening Kingdom's global partnerships to shape the future of work
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development recently represented Saudi Arabia at the International Labour Conference in Geneva. In meetings with representatives of governments, employers and workers from around the world, we reaffirmed our belief that international collaboration and the sharing of best practices are critical drivers of sustainable labor market development in the Kingdom. This commitment was strengthened during the conference with the signing of the third phase of technical cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the International Labour Organization. The renewed agreement — signed by Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad Al-Rajhi and ILO Director General Gilbert Houngbo — reflects our shared ambition to promote decent work and build a more resilient and inclusive labor market, prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. Saudi Arabia has implemented wide-ranging reforms to transform the labor market in line with Vision 2030. This partnership has contributed to significant progress in key areas of the Kingdom's labor market — from occupational safety to skills development — and has supported greater participation across all segments of society, especially among women and young people. This renewed collaboration builds on another important milestone: the signing of a memorandum of understanding last month to enable Saudi nationals to participate in the junior professional officers and secondment programs at the ILO, providing them with opportunities to gain international experience. These initiatives will equip the next generation of Saudi professionals with direct experience in multilateral labor governance, fostering expertise across our institutions. At the core of these efforts is our belief that labor markets must be built on fairness, safety and shared prosperity. Reforms introduced under Vision 2030 have already produced measurable results. Between 2019 and the end of last year, more than 700,000 Saudis entered private sector employment, taking the total to about 2.4 million. Today, the country's overall unemployment is 3.5 percent, with unemployment among Saudi citizens at 7 percent at the end of 2024. The labor force participation rate among Saudi women now exceeds 36 percent, up from 17.7 percent in 2016, while young Saudis are increasingly benefiting from vocational education, digital skills training and tailored employment services. At the same time, Saudi Arabia recognizes the global challenges reshaping the world of work — from technological disruption to shifting demographics — and is preparing its workforce through targeted reforms. More than 4 million people have already benefited from such initiatives. As well as expanding access to the labor market, the country has introduced robust measures to protect all workers, including expatriates. These include improvements to recruitment practices, grievance mechanisms, wage protection and occupational health and safety standards. Furthermore, digital platforms such as Musaned and Qiwa are driving transparency and streamlining key labor processes to promote fair treatment and accountability. Saudi Arabia's alignment with international labor standards is central to this transformation. It has ratified core conventions, including the ILO's Convention No. 95 on the Protection of Wages and the 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labor Convention No. 29, and last year strengthened its commitment to worker well-being by ratifying ILO Convention No. 187 on the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health. The Kingdom recently became the first Arab country to introduce a national policy for the elimination of forced labor, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding rights in the world of work. Our collaboration with the ILO demonstrates what can be achieved when international partnerships are rooted in shared values and leveraged as part of a transformative agenda. Looking ahead, we remain committed to deepening international cooperation, including through emerging regional and global platforms. One example is the Global Labor Market Conference, held annually in Riyadh, with its third edition scheduled for Jan. 29-30, 2026. With the participation of leading policymakers, researchers and international organizations, including the ILO, the conference provides a forum to shape labor policies that are inclusive and globally coordinated. In parallel with these reforms, Saudi Arabia is intensifying efforts to attract highly skilled individuals in critical sectors such as artificial intelligence, entertainment, mining, biotechnology and renewable energy. Initiatives like the premium residency program and specialized visa pathways for professionals support this ambition, helping position the Kingdom as a leading regional and global hub for innovation, creativity and expertise. Our commitment to international collaboration through forums such as the International Labor Conference and Global Labor Market Conference, as well as through bilateral engagement, remains steadfast and continues to support our efforts to build a labor market that benefits all: at home, in the region and beyond. As we shape this future, we welcome continued partnership with governments, employers and international institutions to ensure the world of work is built on fairness, resilience and shared progress. • Dr. Tariq bin Abdulaziz Al-Hamad is deputy minister for international affairs at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi fashion showcased in Selfridges
RIYADH: The Saudi Fashion Commission has teamed up with the Cultural Development Fund and British high-end department store Selfridges to showcase some of the Kingdom's leading stylists. Selected labels from the Saudi 100 Brands program and CDF beneficiaries, all of which blend modern Saudi aesthetics with innovative design techniques, will be on display at the store in London for the next two months, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The commission's CEO Burak Cakmak said: 'This is more than retail, it marks a new era for Saudi fashion, from Riyadh to London.' The Saudi 100 Brands program supported designers in refining their craft and building global business opportunities, he said. The partnership with Selfridges represents a significant milestone for the Saudi fashion industry, reflecting its rising momentum and evolving talent base. It also coincides with the Kingdom's Year of Handicrafts 2025. CDF CEO Majed Al-Hogail said the event highlighted the sector's growing role in shaping Saudi Arabia's cultural economy. 'Saudi talents are redefining our creative identity, rooted in heritage, expressed globally,' he said.
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
New award honors top Hajj hospitality centers
MAKKAH: Amr Al-Maddah, undersecretary for Hajj and Umrah services at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, has launched the inaugural Ekram Excellence Award for Hajj season 2025. The award recognizes top-performing hospitality centers affiliated with Ekram Al-Dayf, a division of Ashraqat company serving Arab pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Adnan Saleh Al-Shehri, adviser for excellence and awards at Ekram Al-Dayf, said the initiative aims to inspire excellence in administration and operations. It seeks to deliver high-quality, sustainable services in line with Vision 2030, the ministry's goals, the Pilgrim Experience Program, and Ekram Al-Dayf's strategy. The award honors outstanding centers, promotes a culture of quality and commitment, and encourages compliance with service standards. It also aims to boost competition among providers, improve performance indicators, and support innovation, according to the SPA. The initiative further promotes social responsibility, volunteerism, and enhances the overall pilgrim experience. It aligns with the ministry's broader efforts to raise hospitality standards and ensure an exceptional Hajj journey.
