logo
Ronaldo celebrates Saudi Founding Day with MBS at Saudi Cup 2025

Ronaldo celebrates Saudi Founding Day with MBS at Saudi Cup 2025

Al Arabiya24-02-2025
Iconic football star Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his delight at celebrating Saudi Founding Day alongside the Kingdom's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the Saudi Cup 2025 horse racing event.
In an image shared on his social media accounts, Ronaldo is seen dressed in the traditional Saudi attire, standing next to MBS.
'Happy to celebrate Founding Day with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and honored to attend the Saudi Cup horse race ceremony in Riyadh,' the Portuguese athlete captioned the image.
Happy to celebrate Founding Day with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and honored to attend the Saudi Cup horse race ceremony in Riyadh. pic.twitter.com/qlkW3ABPla
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) February 22, 2025
The Kingdom marked the Saudi Founding Day on February 22.
It commemorated the founding of the first Saudi state, known as the Emirate of Diriyah, in 1727 by Imam Mohammed bin Saud. The day celebrates the historical roots of Saudi Arabia and aims to highlight the country's deep heritage and leadership.
It was officially declared a national holiday in 2022 by King Salman, and is different from Saudi National Day, which is held on September 23 and marks the unification of the Kingdom in 1932.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Cup 2025, held at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, is one of the most prestigious horse racing events globally and attracts elite competitors from around the world annually.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Saudi Arabia's Video Game Market Booms with over 2.4 Million Consoles Imported in Two Years
Saudi Arabia's Video Game Market Booms with over 2.4 Million Consoles Imported in Two Years

Asharq Al-Awsat

time4 hours ago

  • Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia's Video Game Market Booms with over 2.4 Million Consoles Imported in Two Years

Saudi Arabia's video game sector has seen remarkable growth in the past two years, with imports of video game consoles reaching over 2.4 million units in 2024 and 2025, according to data from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority. In 2024, over 1.7 million units were imported, while 684,489 units have been imported so far in 2025. China, Japan, and the United States were the top suppliers, SPA reported. The Saudi Internet Report 2024 from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission highlighted significant improvements in the digital infrastructure, including an 88% improvement in response time for popular video games. The report also detailed usage trends, showing that smart devices are the most used platform (24.2% of users), followed closely by PlayStation (23.8%). PlayStation is the dominant platform for the 10-19 age group, while smart devices are preferred by older demographics. Whiteout Survival, Roblox, and Subway Surfers were the most downloaded mobile games. The Esports World Cup, which is being held in Riyadh from July 7 to August 24, reinforces the Kingdom's growing role as a global gaming hub. The event features over 2,000 players from more than 100 countries competing for prizes exceeding $70 million, solidifying Saudi Arabia's position in the global gaming and esports scene.

Visual Arts Commission set to launch Art Bridges Cultural Programs in Scotland, Japan, Korea, and Spain
Visual Arts Commission set to launch Art Bridges Cultural Programs in Scotland, Japan, Korea, and Spain

Saudi Gazette

time7 hours ago

  • Saudi Gazette

Visual Arts Commission set to launch Art Bridges Cultural Programs in Scotland, Japan, Korea, and Spain

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Visual Arts Commission (VAC) announced the launch of the Art Bridges 2025–2026 Cultural Trips initiative, starting in September. The first program, in collaboration with the British Council, will take place in Scotland from September 22 to 27, 2025. Additional programs will be held in Japan from October 31 to November 7; South Korea from November 19 to 27; and Spain from March 2 to 9, 2026. Applications for these three programs opened on Wednesday. The application window for Japan will close on August 21, while applications for Korea and Spain will remain open until August 31. The initiative features four distinguished programs designed to advance professional development and international cultural exchange for Saudi and Saudi-based visual artists, cultural practitioners, creative professionals, and cultural producers. The programs will be implemented across four international destinations, underscoring the commission's commitment to professional development, global connectivity, and fostering cross-cultural dialogue. The commission CEO Dina Amin said that these professional programs offer Saudi and Saudi-based cultural practitioners a unique opportunity to share their creative voices with the world, reflecting the depth and diversity of Saudi Arabia's artistic landscape. Each Art Bridges program is tailored to the distinctive cultural and creative context of its destination, incorporating engagement with thought-leaders, leading cultural centers, museums, galleries, and artists' studios. Participants will engage in workshops, knowledge-sharing sessions, and dialogues with prominent figures from the local art scenes, fostering meaningful exchange and strengthening professional expertise. Thematic focuses for the 2025–2026 programs include: Japan—Art and the Environment: Exploring how artists and art practitioners respond to natural, urban, and traditional surroundings through material, scale, and site; South Korea—Identity through Art and Community: Examining grassroots cultural movements, artist-led spaces, and collaborative platforms; Spain—Heritage and Collectivism: Highlighting how collective practice, heritage, and social purpose converge in both contemporary and historic cultural spaces. Applicants must be over 21 years of age, possess a minimum of five years of professional experience in their field, and present a strong portfolio demonstrating their contributions to the cultural sector. Proficiency in English and full commitment to the program schedule are mandatory. The full criteria are detailed in the application form. The Art Bridges initiative represents a cornerstone of the Visual Arts Commission's mission to expand Saudi Arabia's cultural voice on the global stage, cultivate sustainable creative ecosystems, and build enduring international partnerships.

Saudi Arabia's Global Sports Hub Role: The Rise of Mega-Events
Saudi Arabia's Global Sports Hub Role: The Rise of Mega-Events

Leaders

time8 hours ago

  • Leaders

Saudi Arabia's Global Sports Hub Role: The Rise of Mega-Events

By: Ranim Elgabakhngi Can a nation reshape its global identity through sports? Saudi Arabia is putting that question to the test, accelerating its bold 'Vision 2030' transformation strategy by staging a growing list of high-profile sporting events aimed at cementing its place on the world stage. A Packed Sporting Calendar In 2025, the Kingdom hosted a wide range of elite competitions, underscoring its rapid emergence as a global sports hub. The Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix returned to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit for a fifth straight year, while the LIV Golf season kicked off in Riyadh—highlighting the Kingdom's deepening footprint in golf. Major events such as the Saudi Cup horse race, international boxing bouts, the Jeddah E-Prix, and the inaugural World Rally Championship stop in Saudi Arabia further illustrated the Kingdom's growing sporting influence. Following its successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Saudi Arabia also staged the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games and the latest round of the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Vision 2030 in Motion Much of this surge is being driven by Vision 2030, the Kingdom's wide-ranging plan to diversify its economy and modernize its society. Since 2021, more than $6 billion has been invested in sport; by 2023, that figure had surpassed $7 billion, fueling non-oil GDP growth, job creation, and a spike in international tourism. The powerful Public Investment Fund (PIF) has spearheaded Saudi investments across global sport—including the Saudi Pro League, English club Newcastle United, LIV Golf, and partnerships in Formula 1, boxing, and tennis, most recently hosting the WTA Finals. Economic and Social Impact The financial returns are notable: increased revenues from ticketing, sponsorships, broadcasting, and tourism, along with a surge in foreign investment. Yet the strategy goes beyond economics. Officials say the sports push is reshaping societal norms, encouraging physical activity—especially among women—and fueling national pride. It's also part of a wider plan to build a homegrown sporting industry and nurture Saudi talent on the world stage. Looking Ahead As Saudi Arabia eyes future investments in esports, AI-driven smart stadiums, and next-generation fan experiences, its long-term goal remains clear: to build a sustainable, self-sufficient sports ecosystem while projecting a modern image of the Kingdom to the world. The playbook is ambitious—and so far, the results are drawing global attention. Short link :

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store