Latest news with #SIRC
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush set for record attendance outside St Andrews
History is set to be made at The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, as The R&A announced a staggering 278,000 golf enthusiasts are expected to flock to the iconic Dunluce links from 13-20 July. This year's Championship promises to be the largest ever conducted outside of St Andrews. The event's return to Northern Ireland's Antrim coast has spurred unparalleled excitement in the wake of the 2019 tournament's triumph. Last year's ticket ballot saw demand soar, with over one million tickets requested. This year's attendance is poised to exceed the record previously set six years ago at the same venue when a crowd of 237,750 celebrated Shane Lowry's emphatic six-shot win over Tommy Fleetwood in The 148th Open. READ MORE: Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll drama forced golfer to make key decision about new romance READ MORE: Rory McIlroy knows Keegan Bradley's opinion after Masters win – 'It's ridiculous' Mark Darbon, Chief Executive at The R&A, expressed his enthusiasm: "The Open is one of the world's great sporting events and we will do everything we can to make this year's Championship at Royal Portrush an outstanding and memorable occasion for everyone involved from fans to players and the millions watching on TV and digital platforms worldwide." He further highlighted the vibrant local passion for golf: "The passion and enthusiasm for golf throughout the island of Ireland is world-renowned and is clearly reflected in the extraordinary demand among fans to be part of this historic occasion. We look forward to welcoming a record crowd to these spectacular links for a true celebration of golf and seeing who emerges from the 156-strong field to become Champion Golfer of the Year." The 153rd Open, set to be the largest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland, is projected to generate over £213 million in total economic benefit for the country. This forecast comes from an independent study by the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) at Sheffield Hallam University. The SIRC estimates that the direct economic impact of The 153rd Open will be around £63 million. Additionally, the destination marketing benefit for Northern Ireland, resulting from coverage on linear television and digital platforms, is expected to surpass £150m. "It's clear that staging a major event such as The Open can generate significant economic benefits for the locations in which they are held and this study demonstrates the huge benefit that the Championship brings," said Dabon. Darbon expressed gratitude towards the government and local agencies in Northern Ireland for their investment and support in bringing the Championship back to Royal Portrush after the successful 2019 event. He praised their enthusiasm and expertise as crucial to the planning process. Aine Kearney, Director of Events at Tourism Northern Ireland, shared her excitement with less than three months to go until The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush. She said: "With less than three months to go until The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, excitement is building and all the partners involved in the delivery of the Championship are working in collaboration to make it even bigger and more memorable than 2019. "The Open in 2019 brought huge economic benefits, not just to the North Coast, but to the whole of Northern Ireland and 2025 will be no different. "It is shaping up to be another world-class sporting event which presents us with an invaluable opportunity to further raise Northern Ireland's profile as a must-see travel and golf destination as well as a fantastic place to invest." The Open continues to be one of the most accessible major sporting events for young people thanks to The R&A's long-running Kids Go Free initiative. More than 27,000 tickets are available for those under the age of 16 and there are reduced price tickets for fans under the age of 25. Since Kids Go Free was launched in 1997, 434,000 children have attended The Open for free. A record 89,000 spectators will attend the four sold-out Practice Days of The 153rd Open, exceeding the total of 61,000 fans who attended the equivalent days at Royal Portrush in 2019. The Open Camping Village continues to prove a popular accommodation option among families and young people with 4,600 guests booking a place to stay on-site this year. Almost a third (32%) of those staying at the village are under the age of 25 meaning that 20,000 free bed nights have been provided to this group since the initiative was launched at Royal Troon in 2016. Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
Zawya
05-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
SIRC signs deal to advance recycling infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh -- The Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the US-based EIG Management Company, LLC. The MoU aims to enhance cooperation in investment and diversify funding sources to develop and operate infrastructure projects related to the circular economy and waste management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. According to a press release issued by the SIRC, the MoU was signed by Chief Executive Officer of SIRC Group Eng. Ziad Al-Shiha and Chairman of MENA Operations at EIG Eng. Abdulaziz Al-Gudaimi. It seeks to strengthen the partnership between the two entities by exploring investment and financing opportunities for strategic projects that support the growth of the circular economy in the Kingdom. It also emphasizes the exchange of knowledge and expertise related to future projects and market developments, in accordance with regional and international laws and regulations. The release added that the MoU includes joint efforts to develop critical waste management projects. The two sides intend to co-finance and establish advanced facilities for the production of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from waste to be used as an alternative fuel for kilns in heavy industries, starting in Riyadh as the initial location, with projected investments reaching approximately $375 million. Additionally, the MoU outlines plans to establish and operate specialized facilities for processing end-of-life tires into green energy products, such as pyrolysis oil and recycled carbon black, with investments estimated at $250 million. On this occasion, Eng. Al-Shiha affirmed that SIRC continuously strives to build strong partnerships and collaborations with leading international players in the circular economy sector, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom's ambition to lead in this rapidly evolving global field. 'Our partnership with EIG represents a significant step forward in supporting and accelerating the Kingdom's efforts to build a comprehensive and sustainable circular economy,' he added.
Irish Daily Mirror
22-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Record numbers to attend The 153rd Open at Portrush to watch bid for Claret Jug
The Open at Portrush will host the largest championship ever held outside of St Andrews. The Dunluce Links will be the venue for the 153rd Open, marking the championship's return for the first time since Shane Lowry's emotional victory there in 2019 when he won by six shots over Tommy Fleetwood. This year's championship takes place between July 13 and 20, with The R&A today confirming that 278,000 spectators will attend between practice and tournament days on the county Antrim coast, as new Masters champion Rory McIlroy and Lowry return to home shores in a bid to win the Claret Jug. The success of the 2019 hosting led to unprecedented demand for tickets in the ballot last year, with applications for more than one million tickets. The attendance this year will surpass the previous high mark set at Portrush six years ago when 237,750 fans celebrated Lowry's first major victory in The 148th Open. Mark Darbon, Chief Executive at The R&A, said: 'The Open is one of the world's great sporting events and we will do everything we can to make this year's championship at Royal Portrush an outstanding and memorable occasion for everyone involved from fans to players and the millions watching on TV and digital platforms worldwide. 'The passion and enthusiasm for golf throughout the island of Ireland is world-renowned and is clearly reflected in the extraordinary demand among fans to be part of this historic occasion. "We look forward to welcoming a record crowd to these spectacular links for a true celebration of golf and seeing who emerges from the 156-strong field to become Champion Golfer of the Year.' It will be the largest ever sporting event held in Northern Ireland and is expected to generate more than £213 million in total economic benefit for the country, according to an independent forecast by the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) at Sheffield Hallam University. It estimates that the economic impact resulting from The 153rd Open will be £63m (€73.3m), while the destination marketing benefit for Northern Ireland derived from coverage produced via linear television and digital platforms will exceed £150m (€174.5m). 'It's clear that staging a major event such as The Open can generate significant economic benefits for the locations in which they are held and this study demonstrates the huge benefit that the championship brings,' said Darbon. 'We are grateful to the government and local agencies in Northern Ireland for their investment and support in bringing the Championship back to Royal Portrush after the success of 2019. "Their enthusiasm and expertise has been crucial to our planning and we thank them for the work they have contributed towards making this possible.' Aine Kearney, Director of Events at Tourism Northern Ireland, said: 'With less than three months to go until The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, excitement is building and all the partners involved in the delivery of the Championship are working in collaboration to make it even bigger and more memorable than 2019. 'The Open in 2019 brought huge economic benefits, not just to the North Coast, but to the whole of Northern Ireland and 2025 will be no different. 'It is shaping up to be another world-class sporting event which presents us with an invaluable opportunity to further raise Northern Ireland's profile as a must-see travel and golf destination as well as a fantastic place to invest.' Thanks to The R&A's long-running Kids Go Free initiative, more than 27,000 tickets are available for under-16s and there are reduced price tickets for fans under 25. Since Kids Go Free was launched in 1997, 434,000 children have attended The Open for free. A record 89,000 spectators will attend the four sold-out practice days of The 153rd Open, exceeding the total of 61,000 fans who attended the equivalent days at Royal Portrush in 2019. The Open Camping Village continues to prove a popular accommodation option among families and young people with 4,600 guests booking a place to stay on-site this year. Almost a third (32%) of those staying at the village are under the age of 25 meaning that 20,000 free bed nights have been provided to this group since the initiative was launched at Royal Troon in 2016.
Arab News
03-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's PIF-backed SIRC launches solid waste plant at Jeddah Port
RIYADH: Saudi Investment Recycling Co. has launched the first solid waste treatment plant inside Jeddah Islamic Port, marking a significant step toward sustainability and a circular economy. The Public Investment Fund-owned firm will operate the facility through its subsidiary, Reviva, to enhance operational efficiency and safety, according to a statement. The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 and integrating environmental, social, and governance principles into the economy. It also supports Reviva's mission to divert 85 percent of industrial waste from landfills through treatment and recycling while promoting the use of reprocessed materials. Reviva CEO Nasser Al-Mutairi described the plant's launch as a strategic step reflecting SIRC's commitment to innovative, sustainable waste management solutions. The facility enables on-site treatment of solid and non-compliant waste per international standards, eliminating the need for external transport. The CEO further highlighted this directly reduces environmental impact and supports the shift away from landfills, reinforcing the principles of a circular economy while enhancing financial and environmental sustainability. Reviva leads the industrial hazardous waste sector, advancing recycling practices and landfill diversion to meet the Kingdom's sustainability goals. Its core services include integrated environmental solutions and services, recycling and waste management solutions such as oil and water recovery, byproduct recycling, industrial maintenance, and environmental testing and studies. The project is part of SIRC's broader strategy to expand investment in the recycling sector and build an integrated waste management infrastructure. It also creates job opportunities and increases private sector involvement in waste management initiatives. Additionally, SIRC is developing integrated environmental projects at Jeddah Islamic Port, including specialized sites for hazardous waste treatment from cargo ships. These efforts aim to improve marine waste management, promote sustainability, and strengthen Saudi Arabia's position as a global leader in waste management and recycling.
Leaders
14-02-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Eco-Pilgrimage Revolution: Fashion Commission Unveils ‘Sustainable Ihram Initiative'
The Saudi Fashion Commission has launched its groundbreaking Sustainable Ihram Initiative at the Islamic Arts Biennale, partnering with SIRC, Tadweem, SANKO Textile, and RE&UP. This coalition transforms used pilgrimage garments into sustainable attire through advanced textile-to-textile recycling technology. The initiative aims to revolutionize Ihram garment sustainability, emphasizing reducing waste and fostering a circular economy in Saudi Arabia's fashion sector. Aligning with Saudi Vision 2030's Green Goals By repurposing textile waste from millions of pilgrims annually, the program supports Vision 2030's environmental targets and promotes consumer awareness about recycling. Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Fashion Commission, stated, 'This initiative honors Ihram's spiritual significance while safeguarding our planet for future generations'. Expanding on Previous Sustainability Successes Building on MWAN's 2024 Hajj efforts, which recycled 50 tonnes of ihram garments and 300,000 pillows, the Fashion Commission's project scales up infrastructure for long-term impact. Sterilization and repair processes ensure recycled materials meet quality standards. The Commission also collaborates with global luxury group Kering through initiatives like the Kering Generation Awards, which spotlight Saudi startups tackling textile waste. Winners like Darah Solutions Lab, transforming discarded fabrics into new designs, align with the Ihram project's ethos. Saudi Arabia's broader sustainability push includes upcycling traditional garments and promoting circular economy principles, aiming to cut the industry's carbon footprint. The Ihram Initiative exemplifies this vision, blending innovation with cultural preservation to set new benchmarks for eco-conscious fashion globally. Furthermore, the initiative propels Saudi Arabia toward global leadership in sustainable fashion, boosting innovation and driving economic circularity dynamically forward. The Sustainable Ihram Initiative creates measurable progress and inspires communities to adopt eco-friendly practices that transform waste into valuable resources. Short link : Post Views: 1
