Latest news with #SaudiGames
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Games 2025 postponed to prioritize athlete readiness for major events
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Supreme Organizing Committee of the Saudi Games has announced that the fourth edition of the event, originally scheduled for 2025, will not take place this year, with new dates to be determined and announced at a later time. In a circular issued to all participating federations and sports clubs, the committee emphasized that the decision was made to ensure an optimal competitive environment for Saudi athletes and to allow national teams to better prepare for a series of major international sporting events in the latter half of 2025. Among the key events cited are Saudi Arabia's hosting of the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in November, the World Games in China this August, and the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain in October. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a world-class sporting experience and supporting athletes in their preparations for these critical tournaments. The Saudi Games, considered the largest multi-sport national event in the Kingdom, were launched to develop the sports sector and promote grassroots participation.
Arab News
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Rakan Alireza: From Jeddah's waters to Milan's Olympic slopes
JEDDAH: Cross-country skier Rakan Alireza has made history as the first Saudi athlete to compete in cross-country skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He is now focused on leaving an even bigger mark on the sport. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Known for his unique dual-sport talent in skiing and rowing, Alireza last year won a rowing gold medal at the Saudi Games, the Kingdom's premier national sporting event held annually. Having steadily progressed on the international ski circuit, he has recently competed in several global events, including the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. Above all, Alireza has successfully qualified for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and is already focused on preparing for the prestigious event. 'I've been working toward this goal for years,' Alireza told the media recently. 'It's a dream that's coming closer, but there's still a lot of work to do.' Despite tough competition and limited snow exposure at home, his international experience and discipline keep him in the running. Alireza's journey has already inspired many in the Kingdom. He trains year-round, alternating between alpine slopes and watersport arenas. His ambition extends beyond personal milestones. 'If I can qualify, it opens the door for others. It shows that Saudis belong in winter sports too,' he told Arab News. With growing institutional backing and increasing public interest, Alireza represents a shifting athletic landscape in Saudi Arabia, one where snow is no longer off-limits. For most athletes, preparing for the Winter Olympics involves snow, mountains, and early mornings in alpine silence. For Rakan Alireza, it begins in the desert heat of Jeddah. Now 29, the Saudi athlete will represent the Kingdom in cross-country skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. Reflecting on the moment he learned he had qualified, Alireza called it 'bittersweet. 'Because when you work for a goal for such a long time, and once you reach it, it feels like the end,' he said. He remembers standing among the crowd at the Milan-Cortina slopes years ago — not as an athlete, but as a spectator — quietly dreaming of carrying his nation's flag across that snow. 'I saw different flags. I remember clearly. I felt like I can't wait to raise the Saudi flag there. That's the only thing I remember.' Skiing is now the sport driving his every move. His routine is a cycle of relentless fitness training. 'Wake up early. Two to three hours of steady-state cardio. Go to work. Do it again in the afternoon. Ninety percent of my training is just cardio,' he says, laughing. But the weight of Olympic qualification is never far from his mind. '(In) 2026, I'm going to Milan. In like eight months; it's really close.' Cross-country skiing and rowing may seem worlds apart, but Alireza sees them as complementary. 'They're both the most aerobic sports in the world. Being in the rowing team helps because I'm surrounded by competitors that make me work hard. 'If you go see the cross-country skiing field, I stick out like a sore thumb. I'm too big for the sport,' Alireza added. 'I drop from 91 kg to 85 during the season. Here in Jeddah, I just can't. It's a struggle.' His choice to pursue both sports was not always welcomed. 'They wanted me to focus strictly on one. But I didn't believe that was my way. I'd rather fail my way than succeed someone else's way.' His commitment to sporting excellence is deeply personal. 'It's a privilege to do what I do. I don't want to waste it. I don't regret anything. Even the race I didn't win, I'd do it again.' Alireza believes that mental strength can be forged through a dedication to motion. 'Anyone who tells me he has problems, I tell him: Go run. Do something boring for a while. You'll be in your head a lot. You need to push past that.' A key figure in his journey is his coach, Christer Skog, a seasoned Swedish trainer who has led national teams in Sweden, the Czech Republic, the UK, and Australia. 'Now he has me. We fight. We eat cake. We move forward,' Alireza laughs. Skog's unconventional methods resonate with him. 'He once told me to go pick mushrooms for dinner instead of training. I ended up hiking for three hours. He just knows how to get my head back into it.' Despite the rigorous training, Alireza remains grounded in humor and family. 'My dad still thinks I should work, but he supports me. My mom is my biggest cheerleader.' Apart from his skiing and rowing adventures, Alireza is also a sports entrepreneur and is currently working with Kona Jeddah Marine Sports Club, Saudi Arabia's first wakeboarding facility. 'I started three years ago. It was a coincidence,' he said. 'I had just returned from a winter trip. I had no job. I was supposed to attend a wedding, but I stayed at the training center instead. That's when my boss saw me and said, 'You're Rakan Alireza? Stay.' Two weeks later, I was hired.' Kona Jeddah is more than a sports club. It's a grassroots incubator offering wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and electric surfboards. 'We introduced wakeboarding in Saudi. We have the first cable system here. The IWWF (International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation) certified us. Now they want to host international competitions. It's something I can contribute to.' Alireza hopes Kona will one day produce Olympic-level athletes. 'We already have MoUs with federations,' he said. 'Rowing, swimming, kayaking. I want someone to go to the Olympics from a sport we built here.' Alireza sees such targets as part of his contribution to the Kingdom's Vision 2030. 'When people say I'm ambitious, I say I'm just following the lead. Our leadership, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, are ambitious. The country is ambitious. It's a duty for us to contribute.' The 2026 Winter Olympics will run from Feb. 6-22 next year, and as the countdown to the action in Milan continues, Alireza's focus is sharpening. 'I called the CEO of the rowing federation. He said, 'We'd love to have you back, but you should focus on skiing now. You have eight months. Give it your best.' 'Everything runs its course,' Alireza said. 'I haven't reached the point where I hate it. I'll always be in something. 'Maybe retirement from sport? Golf,' he grins. 'But not yet. Not now.'
Trade Arabia
20-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
RWS Global to open Middle East HQ in Riyadh
RWS Global, the world's leader in live moments across entertainment and sports, today announced its plans to open a headquarters in Riyadh, expanding the company's significant footprint in the Middle East. This expansion shows RWS Global's commitment to the region's continued investment in innovation across entertainment, tourism, leisure travel and sport. The RWS Global team has already forged partnerships with leading businesses in the region, currently working on some of the largest projects under development, a statement said. RWS Global, known for its work in sport presentation, destination design, world building and curating world-class entertainment experiences on land and at sea, has significant experience in the Middle East. Since 2022, the company has annually served as the successful producers of the Saudi Games, the largest national sporting event ever held in the kingdom. The company provided technology-driven fan engagement programmes to the competition across 52 categories. In addition, the RWS Global team delivered full sport presentation across 16 various martial arts and combat sports for the World Combat Games in Riyadh in 2023, hosting 1,500 elite athletes from over 120 countries and providing fan engagement for over 4,000 fans. RWS Global's extensive work in the region has also included the design of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, experiences for Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, sport presentation for SuperTri, the first sport event held in NEOM and the development of several other world-class entertainment venues. This milestone further solidifies the company's position as a global leader in fan engagement, immersive entertainment and experience design. 'After a decade of building incredible experiences in the Middle East, we are thrilled to expand the presence of RWS Global by opening a headquarters in the region,' said Ryan Stana, Chairman & CEO, RWS Global. 'As we develop our partnerships with some of the most exciting global companies operating in the Middle East, having a permanent presence in the market is paramount to our continued growth and allows us to be more available for our clients as we create magical experiences tailored to a wide range of visitors.' To support the expansion, RWS Global is hiring a VP, Business & Client Strategy, along with several additional team members local to the market, building on the strong foundation of its existing teams
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
RWS Global to open Middle East HQ in Riyadh
RWS Global, the world's leader in live moments across entertainment and sports, today announced its plans to open a headquarters in Riyadh, expanding the company's significant footprint in the Middle East. This expansion shows RWS Global's commitment to the region's continued investment in innovation across entertainment, tourism, leisure travel and sport. The RWS Global team has already forged partnerships with leading businesses in the region, currently working on some of the largest projects under development, a statement said. RWS Global, known for its work in sport presentation, destination design, world building and curating world-class entertainment experiences on land and at sea, has significant experience in the Middle East. Since 2022, the company has annually served as the successful producers of the Saudi Games, the largest national sporting event ever held in the kingdom. The company provided technology-driven fan engagement programmes to the competition across 52 categories. In addition, the RWS Global team delivered full sport presentation across 16 various martial arts and combat sports for the World Combat Games in Riyadh in 2023, hosting 1,500 elite athletes from over 120 countries and providing fan engagement for over 4,000 fans. RWS Global's extensive work in the region has also included the design of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, experiences for Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, sport presentation for SuperTri, the first sport event held in NEOM and the development of several other world-class entertainment venues. This milestone further solidifies the company's position as a global leader in fan engagement, immersive entertainment and experience design. 'After a decade of building incredible experiences in the Middle East, we are thrilled to expand the presence of RWS Global by opening a headquarters in the region,' said Ryan Stana, Chairman & CEO, RWS Global. 'As we develop our partnerships with some of the most exciting global companies operating in the Middle East, having a permanent presence in the market is paramount to our continued growth and allows us to be more available for our clients as we create magical experiences tailored to a wide range of visitors.' To support the expansion, RWS Global is hiring a VP, Business & Client Strategy, along with several additional team members local to the market, building on the strong foundation of its existing teams delivering destination design and live experience projects across the GCC states, the statement said. - Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RWS GLOBAL ANNOUNCES PLANS TO OPEN MIDDLE EAST HEADQUARTERS
World's Top Producer of Live Entertainment, Destination Design and SportPresentation, including the Saudi Games and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, ExpandsOperations in High-Growth Market NEW YORK, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RWS Global, the world's leader in live moments across entertainment and sports, today announced its plans to open a headquarters in Riyadh, expanding the company's significant footprint in the Middle East. This expansion shows RWS Global's commitment to the region's continued investment in innovation across entertainment, tourism, leisure travel and sport. The RWS Global team has already forged partnerships with leading businesses in the region, currently working on some of the largest projects under development. RWS Global, known for its work in sport presentation, destination design, world building and curating world-class entertainment experiences on land and at sea, has significant experience in the Middle East. Since 2022, the company has annually served as the successful producers of the Saudi Games, the largest national sporting event ever held in the Kingdom. The company provided technology-driven fan engagement programs to the competition across 52 categories. In addition, the RWS Global team delivered full sport presentation across 16 various martial arts and combat sports for the World Combat Games in Riyadh in 2023, hosting 1,500 elite athletes from over 120 countries and providing fan engagement for over 4,000 fans. RWS Global's extensive work in the region has also included the design of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, experiences for Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, sport presentation for SuperTri, the first sport event held in NEOM and the development of several other world-class entertainment venues. This milestone further solidifies the company's position as a global leader in fan engagement, immersive entertainment and experience design. "After a decade of building incredible experiences in the Middle East, we are thrilled to expand the presence of RWS Global by opening a headquarters in the region," said Ryan Stana, Chairman & CEO, RWS Global. "As we develop our partnerships with some of the most exciting global companies operating in the Middle East, having a permanent presence in the market is paramount to our continued growth and allows us to be more available for our clients as we create magical experiences tailored to a wide range of visitors." To support the expansion, RWS Global is hiring a VP, Business & Client Strategy, along with several additional team members local to the market, building on the strong foundation of its existing teams delivering destination design and live experience projects across the GCC states. Interested applicants can submit a cover letter and resume to hr@ RWS Global is exhibiting on the show floor at the Saudi Amusement Expo this week (Booth #4A 491). For more information, visit the booth or ABOUT RWS GLOBAL RWS Global is the world leader in groundbreaking live moments across entertainment and sports, creating customized guest experiences spanning theatrical productions, live events, immersive destinations, multimedia, consumer products and more. RWS Global is headquartered in New York, London, Cincinnati, Shanghai, Orlando and Sydney with dedicated RWS Studios in NYC and the UK to serve its vast talent pipeline and client base. With a focus on entertainment and sports experiences, RWS Global serves major brands and corporations, theaters, cruise lines, sports properties, live venues, parks, resorts and more. Offering end-to-end services from ideation to operations, RWS Global's team of world-class designers, creators, producers and visionary talent provide unrivaled scale, producing over one million live moments every day and employing over 8,000 individuals and performers worldwide. The RWS Global roster of clients includes Apple, Azamara, The Coca-Cola Company, Commonwealth Games, Crayola, Europa-Park Resort, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, The FRIENDS™ Experience by Original X Productions, Hard Rock Resorts, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, Holland America Line, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, International Cricket Council, Invictus Games, Lionsgate, MSC Cruises, Roompot, Rugby World Cup, Six Flags, Space Center Houston, TUI Group, Vera Wang, Warner Bros., Disney's The Lion King on Broadway, Chicago the Musical, Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes and more. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE RWS Global
