Latest news with #Albalawi
CNN
27-03-2025
- Business
- CNN
Worker dies on Aramco Stadium construction site in Saudi Arabia, a 2034 World Cup host venue
A worker has died on the construction site of the Aramco Stadium in Saudi Arabia, one of the venues set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Besix Group, a construction company overseeing the project in Al Khobar, confirmed in a statement to CNN Sports that 'a worker sadly lost their life' at the stadium site on March 12. 'We have been operating on this site for several months in close partnership with our joint venture partner Al Bawani, following detailed and validated safety procedures that have consistently proven effective,' the statement said. 'The incident in question is currently under thorough investigation by the authorities, and we are fully cooperating to determine the exact circumstances. In the interest of the investigation, we will not provide further comments at this stage.' Besix went on to say that it has 'a long tradition of transparency' when it comes to 'guarantee(ing) and promot(ing) the rights of migrant workers.' CNN Sports has contacted Al Bawani, global soccer governing body FIFA and the 2034 World Cup organizing committee for further comment on the worker's death. The Aramco Stadium, located in the east of Saudi Arabia, is scheduled to be completed in 2026. The 47,000-seat venue is one of the 15 sites set to host World Cup matches, as well as staging Asian Cup games in 2027. Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host of the 2034 World Cup in December, part of the nation's wider push to invest in sports and diversify the economy. It has meant heavy investment into infrastructure projects, which includes building or renovating the 15 host stadiums and creating 185,000 new hotel rooms. However, human rights groups have warned of the potentially significant toll attached to Saudi Arabia hosting the tournament. Many migrant workers still exist in the 'Kafala' sponsorship system, which ties people to a specific employer. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a June statement that employees are 'vulnerable to widespread abuse, including contract substitution, exorbitant recruitment fees, non-payment of wages, confiscation of passports by employers, and forced labor.' Despite a series of reforms announced by Saudi Arabia in recent years, employers 'still hold disproportionate control over workers,' HRW said. Last year, the head of Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid, Hammad Albalawi, said the country had made strides in terms of human rights in recent years. 'We have come a long way and there's still a long way to go. Our principle is to develop something that is right for us. Our journey started in 2016, not because of the World Cup bid,' Albalawi told Reuters. CNN's Ben Church contributed to reporting.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Worker dies on Aramco Stadium construction site in Saudi Arabia, a 2034 World Cup host venue
A worker has died on the construction site of the Aramco Stadium in Saudi Arabia, one of the venues set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Besix Group, a construction company overseeing the project in Al Khobar, confirmed in a statement to CNN Sports that 'a worker sadly lost their life' at the stadium site on March 12. 'We have been operating on this site for several months in close partnership with our joint venture partner Al Bawani, following detailed and validated safety procedures that have consistently proven effective,' the statement said. 'The incident in question is currently under thorough investigation by the authorities, and we are fully cooperating to determine the exact circumstances. In the interest of the investigation, we will not provide further comments at this stage.' Besix went on to say that it has 'a long tradition of transparency' when it comes to 'guarantee(ing) and promot(ing) the rights of migrant workers.' CNN Sports has contacted Al Bawani, global soccer governing body FIFA and the 2034 World Cup organizing committee for further comment on the worker's death. The Aramco Stadium, located in the east of Saudi Arabia, is scheduled to be completed in 2026. The 47,000-seat venue is one of the 15 sites set to host World Cup matches, as well as staging Asian Cup games in 2027. Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host of the 2034 World Cup in December, part of the nation's wider push to invest in sports and diversify the economy. It has meant heavy investment into infrastructure projects, which includes building or renovating the 15 host stadiums and creating 185,000 new hotel rooms. However, human rights groups have warned of the potentially significant toll attached to Saudi Arabia hosting the tournament. Many migrant workers still exist in the 'Kafala' sponsorship system, which ties people to a specific employer. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a June statement that employees are 'vulnerable to widespread abuse, including contract substitution, exorbitant recruitment fees, non-payment of wages, confiscation of passports by employers, and forced labor.' Despite a series of reforms announced by Saudi Arabia in recent years, employers 'still hold disproportionate control over workers,' HRW said. Last year, the head of Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid, Hammad Albalawi, said the country had made strides in terms of human rights in recent years. 'We have come a long way and there's still a long way to go. Our principle is to develop something that is right for us. Our journey started in 2016, not because of the World Cup bid,' Albalawi told Reuters. CNN's Ben Church contributed to reporting.
CNN
25-03-2025
- Business
- CNN
Worker dies on Aramco Stadium construction site in Saudi Arabia, a 2034 World Cup host venue
A worker has died on the construction site of the Aramco Stadium in Saudi Arabia, one of the venues set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Besix Group, a construction company overseeing the project in Al Khobar, confirmed in a statement to CNN Sports that 'a worker sadly lost their life' at the stadium site on March 12. 'We have been operating on this site for several months in close partnership with our joint venture partner Al Bawani, following detailed and validated safety procedures that have consistently proven effective,' the statement said. 'The incident in question is currently under thorough investigation by the authorities, and we are fully cooperating to determine the exact circumstances. In the interest of the investigation, we will not provide further comments at this stage.' Besix went on to say that it has 'a long tradition of transparency' when it comes to 'guarantee(ing) and promot(ing) the rights of migrant workers.' CNN Sports has contacted Al Bawani, global soccer governing body FIFA and the 2034 World Cup organizing committee for further comment on the worker's death. The Aramco Stadium, located in the east of Saudi Arabia, is scheduled to be completed in 2026. The 47,000-seat venue is one of the 15 sites set to host World Cup matches, as well as staging Asian Cup games in 2027. Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host of the 2034 World Cup in December, part of the nation's wider push to invest in sports and diversify the economy. It has meant heavy investment into infrastructure projects, which includes building or renovating the 15 host stadiums and creating 185,000 new hotel rooms. However, human rights groups have warned of the potentially significant toll attached to Saudi Arabia hosting the tournament. Many migrant workers still exist in the 'Kafala' sponsorship system, which ties people to a specific employer. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a June statement that employees are 'vulnerable to widespread abuse, including contract substitution, exorbitant recruitment fees, non-payment of wages, confiscation of passports by employers, and forced labor.' Despite a series of reforms announced by Saudi Arabia in recent years, employers 'still hold disproportionate control over workers,' HRW said. Last year, the head of Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid, Hammad Albalawi, said the country had made strides in terms of human rights in recent years. 'We have come a long way and there's still a long way to go. Our principle is to develop something that is right for us. Our journey started in 2016, not because of the World Cup bid,' Albalawi told Reuters. CNN's Ben Church contributed to reporting.
Gulf Business
12-02-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Business
LEAP 2025: How tech will transform Saudi Arabia's FIFA World Cup
Image credit: Supplied photo Saudi Arabia's FIFA World Cup 2034 is all set to embrace technology and transform the country. Emphasizing the importance of technology in Saudi Arabia's broader vision for football development and societal transformation, Hammad Albalawi, Head of the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034 bid unit, said the country is ready to embrace change like never before. Important: On the first day of LEAP's inaugural Sports Tech track, Albalawi sat down with former France international and UEFA Champions League winner Patrice Evra to discuss the Kingdom's plans for this historic global event. Albalawi also emphasized that Improve the event's live viewing experience Enhance athlete performance Streamline the World Cup's operations How t echnology is c hanging the f ace of f ootball a round the w orld At LEAP 2025, Javier Tebas, President of Spain's LaLiga – the world's second most-watched football league – discussed how AI is benefiting football clubs both on and off the pitch. Acknowledging how AI is transforming lives, he described the technology as 'changing the history of sport.' Read on: Tebas pointed out that 85 percent of sports events now use AI, helping football clubs, coaches, and trainers improve their efficiency. He also noted that while AI can help clubs tackle piracy and copyright challenges, there is a growing need for more global collaboration. 'Right now, there is content being published illegally,' he said. 'We must protect the copyright of our game and our clubs. More collaboration is needed between clubs, tech companies, and media channels. We see Saudi Arabia as a bridge to new technologies and greater collaboration.' Saudi Arabia and f ootball: How f ar h as the c ountry c ome? Saudi Arabia's love affair with football spans many years, with significant growth in women's football. There are now three divisions, 20 clubs, and over 90,000 women playing the game nationwide. 'The World Cup is not the result – it is a milestone in a journey we are continuously investing in. Whether it's in the men's or women's game, we look forward to fostering partnerships, engagement, and friendships,' Albalawi reiterated. 'LEAP is a great platform for people to truly understand where these opportunities lie,' Albalawi added, speaking on a day when sessions focused on everything from digital streaming and tech-driven revenue diversification to hydrogen racing, SailGP, and virtual reality (VR) boxing.
Gulf Business
12-02-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Business
LEAP 2025: How will tech transform Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034
Image credit: Supplied photo Saudi Arabia's FIFA World Cup 2034 is all set to embrace technology and transform the country. Emphasizing the importance of technology in Saudi Arabia's broader vision for football development and societal transformation, Hammad Albalawi, Head of the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034 bid unit, said the country is ready to embrace change like never before. Important: On the first day of LEAP's inaugural Sports Tech track, Albalawi sat down with former France international and UEFA Champions League winner Patrice Evra to discuss the Kingdom's plans for this historic global event. Albalawi also emphasized that Improve the event's live viewing experience Enhance athlete performance Streamline the World Cup's operations How t echnology is c hanging the f ace of f ootball a round the w orld At LEAP 2025, Javier Tebas, President of Spain's LaLiga – the world's second most-watched football league – discussed how AI is benefiting football clubs both on and off the pitch. Acknowledging how AI is transforming lives, he described the technology as 'changing the history of sport.' Read on: Tebas pointed out that 85 percent of sports events now use AI, helping football clubs, coaches, and trainers improve their efficiency. He also noted that while AI can help clubs tackle piracy and copyright challenges, there is a growing need for more global collaboration. 'Right now, there is content being published illegally,' he said. 'We must protect the copyright of our game and our clubs. More collaboration is needed between clubs, tech companies, and media channels. We see Saudi Arabia as a bridge to new technologies and greater collaboration.' Saudi Arabia and f ootball: How f ar h as the c ountry c ome? Saudi Arabia's love affair with football spans many years, with significant growth in women's football. There are now three divisions, 20 clubs, and over 90,000 women playing the game nationwide. 'The World Cup is not the result – it is a milestone in a journey we are continuously investing in. Whether it's in the men's or women's game, we look forward to fostering partnerships, engagement, and friendships,' Albalawi reiterated. 'LEAP is a great platform for people to truly understand where these opportunities lie,' Albalawi added, speaking on a day when sessions focused on everything from digital streaming and tech-driven revenue diversification to hydrogen racing, SailGP, and virtual reality (VR) boxing.
