Latest news with #AbdulazizbinTurkibinFaisal
Asharq Al-Awsat
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
AFC President Hails Saudi Organization of AFC U17 Asian Cup
President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and First Vice President of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa praised the Kingdom's remarkable success in hosting the AFC U17 Asian Cup, which concluded on Sunday in Taif after three weeks of competition among 16 Asian national teams, SPA reported. He stated that the Kingdom successfully provided the ideal environment to host the tournament and presented it in a way that befits the reputation and stature of Asian football, further proving the Kingdom's capability to host major sporting events to the highest organizational standards. He also praised the exceptional roles played by various official entities in the Kingdom in creating the factors for the tournament's success, expressing his gratitude to Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF).
New York Times
20-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
2034 World Cup: Saudi Arabia ‘more than happy' to host expanded 64-team tournament
Saudi Arabia would be 'more than happy' to host an expanded 64-team men's World Cup in 2034. In December, the Gulf state was confirmed as host for the 2034 edition of the competition following an unopposed bid. Saudi Arabia's sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, said his country would be able to 'deliver' a bigger tournament. Next year's North American World Cup will be the first 48-team edition, an increase from the 32-team format that ran from 1998 to 2022. Advertisement 'I mean we're ready, and or we will be ready, inshallah,' Prince Abdulaziz told reporters ahead of Sunday's Formula One race in Jeddah. 'If that's a decision that FIFA takes and thinks that that's a good decision for everyone, then we're more than happy to deliver on it.' The calls to expand the 2030 version to 64 nations have predominantly come from South America, with Alejandro Dominguez — president of CONMEBOL, which governs soccer in the continent — supporting the idea earlier this month, after Uruguayan official Ignacio Alonso raised the proposal at a FIFA Council meeting in March. Dominguez's argument was that, as the 2030 World Cup will respresent the 100-year anniversary since the first tournament was held in Uruguay, it should be a celebratory, further expanded edition. Uruguay, 2022 winners Argentina and Paraguay — the home of CONMEBOL's offices — are scheduled to host one match each at the start of the 2030 tournament, with the remaining 101 games in the 48-team tournament split between Morocco, Portugal and Spain. The proposed expansion has also provoked criticism, with Aleksander Ceferin, president of UEFA — European soccer's governing body — dismissing the proposal as a 'bad idea' earlier this month. Last week, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani spoke out against the idea. Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim — president of the Asian Football Confederation, of which Saudi Arabia is a part of — also rejected the proposal, telling the Agence France-Presse that it would cause 'chaos'. A 48-team tournament sees a 40-match increase from 64 to 104 games, with the addition of a further 16 nations likely to see a similar uptick. A further expansion of the World Cup would have to be voted through at the FIFA Council, the 37-person strong decision-making arm of world soccer's governing body. The 48-team expansion was previously voted through unanimously in 2017. One unanswered question ahead of the 2034 World Cup is whether Saudi Arabia will follow the 2022 World Cup in neighbouring Qatar in hosting the tournament during winter to minimise worries over high temperatures. Prince Abdulaziz said that no decision has yet been reached but that there was 'ongoing' dialogue with FIFA. 'It is their decision to allocate the right timing,' he added. Advertisement 'We are preparing everything to host it at the right time to make sure that the most important thing for us is the fan experience and to have everyone enjoy coming at the right time, at the right weather and so on. 'So yes, it's going to be a challenge with hosting two big events (the World Cup and the 2034 Asian Games) in the same year. But I think both parties, whether it was FIFA or the OCA (for the Asian Games), are open to see which is the best for the fans and for everyone to have a good discussion on that.' There are also concerns over the rights and potential exploitation of migrant workers in the Middle Eastern nation ahead of the tournament, again similar to the 2022 tournament in Qatar. In December, an international charity warned that workers' rights in Saudi Arabia were still an issue ahead of the 2034 World Cup. Major global human rights groups also urged FIFA to postpone the awarding of the tournament to Sauid Arabia until further reforms were introduced. But Prince Abdulaziz said Saudi Arabia has 'learned from Qatar' in the issues they had met in the lead-up to their tournament. 'We met with the Qataris, what they've been through, what they've gone through,' he said. 'We have ongoing communication with them, with FIFA as well, on what needs to be done, how do we make sure that, you know, workers' safety is a highest priority, and it's a mandate on us, and it's one of the most important things on us because we saw the impact that it had on Qatar.' Saudi officials have repeatedly talked about the progress the kingdom has made in recent years, including labour rights, and promised to comply with FIFA's rules. They also point to the glowing technical assessment FIFA gave its bid earlier in December. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)
Asharq Al-Awsat
20-04-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Ministry of Sport, stc Group Sign Cooperation Agreement
The Saudi Ministry of Sport signed on Saturday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the stc Group at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, coinciding with the stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Formula 1 race. The signing was attended by Chairman of the Board of Directors of stc Group Prince Mohammed bin Khalid bin Abdullah bin Faisal and Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal. The MoU aims to explore prospects for mutual cooperation and to provide innovative solutions and services in digital infrastructure and modern technologies in a way that supports the sports sector and boosts development opportunities for strategic projects, in line with relevant regulations. A tripartite agreement was also signed by Secretary-General of the Saudi Football Federation (SAFF) Ibrahim Al-Qassim, CEO of the Saudi Pro League Omar Mugharbel, and Chief Business Officer at stc Group Eng. Riyadh Muawad. The agreement outlines areas of cooperation in digital transformation and the development of technical infrastructure for Saudi football competitions. These initiatives contribute to achieving added economic value by diversifying income sources and expanding the range of services linked to the sector, thereby strengthening the position of sports as a promising investment pathway in line with national ambitions to make the Kingdom a global sports destination.
Asharq Al-Awsat
19-04-2025
- Automotive
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Jeddah Corniche Circuit to Host Main Race of Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Sunday
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit will host on Sunday the main race of the Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, marking the fifth round of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship and the event's fifth consecutive time in the Kingdom, under the oversight of the Ministry of Sport. On this occasion, Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed gratitude to the wise leadership for its generous support and ongoing attention given to the sports sector in the Kingdom, which has played a significant role in attaining successive achievements aligned with national visions and goals, SPA reported. He emphasized that this international event, set to take place at the world's fastest street circuit, demonstrates the Kingdom's dedication to advancing motorsports and its enthusiasm for delivering an exceptional sports and entertainment experience for fans and visitors from across the globe. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is a technical masterpiece, featuring 27 corners — more than any other track in the championship. Spanning 6.174 km, the track challenges drivers to navigate 16 left-hand turns and 11 right-hand turns, while racing at breathtaking speeds that can reach up to 322 km/h.
National News
16-04-2025
- Sport
- National News
Saudi Women's Sports: From vision to victory
NNA - Saudi Arabia's sports sector has experienced a significant qualitative leap recently, especially in women's sports. Fueled by Saudi Vision 2030, women's sports have undergone a radical transformation, becoming a key element in empowering women and improving quality of life nationwide. Saudi women have embarked on an unstoppable journey toward sports leadership, now competing globally, striving for top ranks, and achieving national victories. This progress unfolds within a vision that has expanded opportunities across many fields, including sports for both men and women. Women's sports have received significant support and attention from the wise leadership, overcoming obstacles and providing resources. The dedication of Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal to realizing the vision's goals has been crucial in serving the sector and supporting all athletes. As part of the Kingdom's commitment under Vision 2030 to empower women and enhance their role in all aspects of life, including sports, numerous initiatives and decisions have been implemented. These include developing infrastructure—such as establishing dedicated sports facilities for women, including gyms and stadiums—and expanding public spaces like parks and walking/running tracks to encourage physical activity among women. In training, various sports programs for women have been launched, focusing on building capacity through practice and qualification, enhancing the capabilities of female coaches and officials, enabling participation in competitions, and leading to significant national achievements. Before 2010, women's sports in Saudi Arabia were limited to informal activities in schools and private clubs, typical of any emerging field. However, 2012 marked a significant turning point with the Kingdom's first official female participation in the London Summer Olympics, represented by Wojdan Ali Seraj in judo and Sarah Attar in track and field. A key step in supporting women's sports was the 2019 decision to establish dedicated women's sports clubs. That year also saw a major increase in international participation, with the emergence of women's teams in regional and global competitions. This progress aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to increase sports participation throughout Saudi society, particularly among women. According to recent statistics, Saudi women participation in sports has risen by over 150% since the launch of Vision 2030. More than 330,000 girls are registered across various sports, alongside a growing number of female coaches, trainers, and referees. Over 70,000 girls compete in school leagues, and the country now has 37 national women's teams and 97 certified female coaches. The growth reflects the establishment of women's teams in sports such as football, basketball, fencing, and taekwondo, contributing to increased female engagement in sports both locally and internationally. A notable example is the formation of the national women's football team in 2021. The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) has played a key role in supporting women's sports by launching the women's community football league to encourage female participation and celebrate their athletic achievements. Moreover, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) organized the Women's Premier League—the top official women's football competition in the Kingdom—marking a new era for women's teams. The inaugural season kicked off on October 13, 2022, with the participation of eight teams. That same year, the Saudi women's national team played its first international match, securing a 2–0 victory against the Seychelles. The leadership, through the Ministry of Sport, continues its strong support for women's sports, emphasizing early athletic development. A key collaboration with the Ministry of Education introduced physical education for girls in all schools, fostering greater participation and integrating sports into family life. This initiative has paved the way for significant achievements, with Saudi women earning medals and reaching new milestones. In 2023, the Kingdom hosted several international women's tournaments in boxing, judo, golf, chess, and other sports where Saudi athletes excelled. Saudi women also secured multiple medals in regional championships in track and field, taekwondo, karate, and more. The widespread neighborhood clubs across the Kingdom have seen strong participation from women committed to regular physical activity, resulting in clear improvements in their health and fitness. Among the standout figures of remarkable Saudi women who have achieved international recognition is tennis player Yara Alhogbani. She has impressively claimed the gold medal twice at the Saudi Games, besides a notable triumph at junior International Tennis Federation tournaments. In taekwondo, Dunya Aboutaleb has garnered numerous awards, being an Arab Taekwondo Championship Cup gold medalist in 2020 and 2024. She also made history as the first Saudi woman to medal at the World Taekwondo Championships, winning bronze at the 2022 edition in Mexico after another bronze at the Asian Taekwondo Championships in Republic of Korea earlier in the same year. Aboutaleb was recognized as the best Saudi and Arab female athlete in 2022 and the fourth in the world for the 53 kg weight class. The list of Saudi female champions extends across various sports. Among them is track and field athlete Sarah Attar, who represented Saudi Arabia at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. In motorsports, Dania Aqbel has made her mark, while Lubna Alomair and Al Hasnaa Al Hamad have excelled in fencing. Adding to the list, Hattan Alsaif stands out as the first Saudi female athlete in martial arts, alongside equestrian Dalma Malhas and judoka Wojdan Ali Seraj. Saudi women continue to achieve remarkable feats in both team and individual sports. Notably, Yara Alamri made history by winning Saudi Arabia's first-ever Asian medal in women's boxing, securing an impressive tally of 10 medals in just two years, including eight golds and two bronzes. Furthermore, Reema Juffali, among the pioneering Saudi women to obtain a racing license, has achieved numerous leading finishes in various international competitions. Speaking recently at the Sports Investment Forum 2025, held here in Riyadh, Assistant Minister for Sport Affairs Adwa AlArifi stated that there are more than 400 women's clubs with notable female participation in various programs held at more than 1,000 sports clubs. Leaders Development Institute Director-General Mezna AlMarzooqi emphasized the importance of private-sector investment in women's sports as a newly emerging field ripe for investment and rich in potential. She highlighted the sports sector's ongoing commitment to developing policies that ensure inclusive participation and empower women in management and leadership roles within sports. The goal, she stated, is to cultivate sustainable job opportunities and genuine growth prospects within a supportive and inclusive environment, while proactively addressing the challenges that women may encounter in sports participation. -- SPA -------------------
