Latest news with #SaudiSportsforAllFederation
Saudi Gazette
7 days ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed leads Saudi Sports for All delegation at MESIF 2025 in London
LONDON — The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA), led by its President Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, participated in the Middle East Sports Investment Forum (MESIF) 2025 held on May 27–28 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Sponsored by the Saudi Ministry of Investment with strategic support from the Ministry of Sports, the forum brought together over 300 delegates, including representatives from regional sports ministries, sovereign wealth funds, and private sector entities across the MENA region. Prince Khaled praised the forum organizers and sponsors for creating a platform that brought together key stakeholders from across the GCC and beyond. 'MESIF connects the regional sports ecosystem and enables meaningful collaboration across sectors,' he noted. SFA Managing Director Shaima Al-Husseini took part in a panel discussion focused on measuring the social impact of sports. She highlighted the Federation's commitment to a data-driven approach, aligning its metrics with the World Health Organization's Global Action Plan and using national surveys, digital engagement, and community input.'Our programs reflect tangible improvements in public participation, gender equity, and long-term behavior change,' Al-Husseini said, emphasizing the Federation's role in building sustainable, inclusive sports infrastructure across Saudi forum also explored key issues such as sports finance, stadium infrastructure, innovation and technology in sports, fan engagement, and the growing intersection between tourism and sports development. — SG
Mid East Info
12-02-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Inaugural SFA International Sporting Events concludes, with more than 35,000 SFA Expo visitors and over 40,000 Riyadh Marathon participants
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) is celebrating the success of the inaugural 2025 SFA International Sporting Events, which combined the SFA Expo and the Riyadh Marathon. Held from February 5-7, 2025, the SFA Expo took place at the JAX District, while the Riyadh Marathon followed on February 8, 2025. The SFA Expo attracted 35,359 visitors, with interactive sports zones, fitness classes, health exhibits, and engaging panel discussions, and a B2B lounge for industry professionals. The Primal Race functional fitness competition on February 7 was another major attraction. The 2025 Riyadh Marathon saw 40,494 participants from 131 countries, an impressive jump from 20,000 runners in 2024. It was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Arabian Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the Saudi Arabian Athletic Federation, and Amanat AlRiyadh. Four races took place: the full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km), 10km race, and a family-friendly 4km run. A significant proportion of participants, 67%, were Saudi nationals, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for sports in the Kingdom. Also, 40% were female. The top male and female finishers in the elite marathon categories received US$30,000 each, with additional prizes for second and third. Winners in the half marathon elite race also won cash prizes, with US$5,000 for first place. Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) was the presenting partner for the marathon, with ASICS, Tawuniya, Aquafina and Gatorade as strategic partners for both events. Medical support at the SFA Expo was provided by Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group (HMG), with Ford, Calo, JP Morgan, Centrum, KAFD, Kayanee, and Joe & the Juice all marathon supporting partners. Official partners of the marathon included Kudu, MDLBEAST Radio, and BAE Systems, with Kayanee and Delta Sports the official partners of SFA Expo, and SPIMACO and Huawei official partners of both. JAX District was a venue partner for SFA Expo. The SFA looks forward to building on this success in future editions, continuing to inspire the Kingdom's residents and visitors to lead healthier, more active lives.
Zawya
11-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Sports for All Federation unveils Riyadh Marathon route, venues, and sponsors
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) has announced key details for the inaugural 2025 SFA International Sporting Events, which include the SFA Expo and Riyadh Marathon. The SFA Expo will take place from February 5-7, 2025, at Riyadh's JAX District, while the Riyadh Marathon is set for Saturday, February 8, 2025. The SFA Expo will serve as the marathon's bib collection hub and will feature interactive zones focused on sports, health, and fitness, showcasing cutting-edge equipment, wellness activities, and emerging technologies. The event will also include a B2B lounge for industry networking, and workshops on mindfulness and nutrition. Another highlight will be the Primal Race on Friday, February 7, a functional fitness challenge featuring a series of high-intensity activities interspersed with 400m group runs. The Riyadh Marathon will offer four race categories: the full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km), 10km, and a family-focused 4km race. The routes will pass key Riyadh landmarks, including Boulevard City and Wadi Hanifah, starting around Boulevard World and finishing near Kingdom Arena. The SFA Expo and Riyadh Marathon will also be supported by a strong lineup of sponsors and partners. Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) returns as presenting partner, with ASICS and Tawuniya as headline sponsors for both events. Gatorade, Aquafina, and PepsiCo will provide hydration for marathon runners, while Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group (HMG) will offer medical support at the Expo. The Riyadh Marathon will also be supported by Ford, providing race vehicles, KAFD, hosting pre-event activations, and MDL, bringing DJs to energize the event. Calo, JP Morgan, Centrum, and Kayanee will contribute as supporting partners, as will Joe & The Juice, which has introduced a special Riyadh Marathon drink. BAE Systems and Kudu are official partners, helping to promote the marathon, and Huawei will provide mass participant awards. JAX District serves as the Expo's venue partner, while ASICS provides official sports apparel to race participants. As part of the broader Vision 2030 goals, these events reinforce SFA's commitment to promoting fitness and physical activity as key pillars of Saudi Arabia's evolving sports culture. About the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA), a proactive community sport and wellness organization founded to promote a healthy lifestyle in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aims to provide access to opportunities for all members of society to practice physical activity. Partnering with government organizations, sports delivery bodies, sports federations, and the wider public and private sector to achieve its goals, the SFA focuses on increasing physical activity and health and wellness metrics across the country. Physical activity is achieved by advancing four strategic priorities: education; community and volunteering; fitness and wellbeing; and campaigns and promotion. The SFA does this by designing and deploying recreational sports programs tailored for women, men, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities across Saudi Arabia. *Source: AETOSWire Contacts: Malek Abdelrahman mabdelrahman@
Observer
10-02-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Omani runners achieve sporting feat at the Riyadh Marathon 2025
MUSCAT, FEB 10 Omani runners Saleh al Saidi, Waddah al Fulaiti, and Hanan al Jahmani have achieved a remarkable sporting feat at the Riyadh Marathon 2025, securing top positions in various races amidst fierce competition from over 40,000 participants representing 100 countries. Saleh al Saidi clinched third place in the full marathon (42.2 km) men's category, while Waddah al Fulaiti secured third place in the half marathon (21.1 km) men's category. Meanwhile, Hanan al Jahmani also earned third place in the 10 km women's race. Significance of Participation and Objectives Samira al Shukaili, head of the Omani delegation, highlighted that the participation in the Riyadh International Marathon 2025 came upon an invitation from the Saudi Sports for All Federation. The selection of Omani runners was coordinated with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, ensuring that the most qualified athletes represented the Sultanate of Oman. She explained that the selection process was based on the results of runners who excelled in Governorate Marathons and the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon, with the Oman Athletics Association conducting a technical evaluation before officially approving the selected athletes. Al Shukaili emphasised the strategic importance of this participation, stating, 'We were keen to take part in this marathon for several reasons. Firstly, it aligns with Oman's sports strategy, which aims to promote community sports as part of the 'Sports and Society' pillar. Additionally, the event is one of the world's most prestigious international marathons, offering our runners an invaluable opportunity to compete against elite athletes, thereby enhancing their technical skills and gaining international exposure.' A Competitive and Prestigious International Marathon Al Shukaili underscored the highly competitive nature of the marathon, with over 40,000 runners from 100 countries participating. Despite the strong competition, the Omani runners managed to secure top positions, marking a significant achievement for Omani sports. She concluded by stating, 'These achievements play a vital role in the overall development of Omani sports, strengthening the country's standing in marathon races while motivating athletes to participate in more international competitions in the future.' The Riyadh International Marathon is one of the most prominent annual sporting events, attracting athletes from around the world with a primary focus on promoting health and fitness. The marathon features four main races catering to different skill levels: Full Marathon (42.2 km) — for professional runners; Half Marathon (21.1 km) — for intermediate-level athletes; 10 km Race — for running enthusiasts; and 4 km Race — designed for families and beginners. These achievements mark a significant step forward in boosting long-distance running and marathon culture in Oman. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY) remains committed to supporting Omani runners, providing opportunities for them to compete in international championships, thereby enhancing their competitiveness and reinforcing Oman's presence in global races.
Arab News
10-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
How SFA's Prince Khaled galvanized 40,000 people to take Vision 2030 to the streets of Riyadh
RIYADH: More than 40,000 people of all ages and abilities took part in the 2025 edition of the Riyadh Marathon at the weekend, staged by the Saudi Sports for All Federation — a Ministry of Sport arm targeting mass participation. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport With separate races for elite and amateur participants, including family runs and a number of distance options, this year's marathon saw the largest number of participants and attendees than all previous years, setting a new record for mass participation sports in the Kingdom. In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Prince Khaled bin Al-Waleed bin Talal Al-Saud revealed that the race's four categories — the full marathon (42 km), half marathon (21 km), 10 km and the highly popular family 4 km race — were fully subscribed. 'We can't look only at the number of participants; we need to assess it through the lens of the wider sports ecosystem it feeds, builds upon, enhances. Every person who hits the pavement is contributing to the crown prince's vision of Saudi Arabia, to Vision 2030 itself,' said Prince Khaled, the Saudi Sports for All Federation president, on the sidelines of one of the Kingdom's most international events. 'Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has paved the way for success with his support and guidance during our planning and execution stages; the Ministry of Sport was even engaging in real time on the social channels. I loved seeing the ministry call out our heroes and cheer them on,' he added, referencing the many posts on X featuring key moments from the event. Among the thousands of marathon-related posts tagging Prince Khaled on Instagram and X, the mother of Allyn Al-Oraifi declared that her three-month old baby would see the prince and the SFA team 'at the finish line,' as officially the youngest participant in the country's flagship annual running event. Other posts lauded the prince's efforts to get people moving and making the marathon accessible for all. 'This is what Sports for All stands for at our core: No matter how young, old, no matter your ability, we are designing programs that make you part of the fabric of success for physical activities and health in Saudi. It is an international event, with an organic and spontaneous celebratory feeling to it,' said Prince Khaled. 'Just look around — this is history being made. 'You can be part of Vision 2030; you can lead the way. Just join us and take one step after the other. Bring your kids, bring your parents, start something at your company like our many community sports groups. Whatever the sport or activity, we are here to help you and see Saudi take mass participation to the next level,' the SFA president said, adding that the work of the federation's managing director, Shaima Saleh Al-Husseini, had been crucial to managing the many different stakeholders of the marathon. The marathon routes were planned along important Riyadh landmarks, including Boulevard City and Wadi Hanifah, while the event start line was around Boulevard World and finish line near Kingdom Arena. Various entities created bespoke experiences around the marathon, such as a special Riyadh Marathon drink by Joe & the Juice. Prince Khaled attributed much of the success to the core and supporting sponsors of the event. 'Saudi Awwal Bank was the presenting partner for a second time, with ASICS and Tawuniya as headline sponsors for both the SFA Expo and the Riyadh Marathon. We are proud to work closely with these community-minded entities to grow Saudi's health and wellness achievement metrics,' Prince Khaled said. And for next year's event? 'Marathon planning basically starts the day after the marathon and goes on for the entire year. Partners play such a crucial role in getting people excited for the event; our community sports groups are the best at this,' said Prince Khaled. 'Every post on social media, every time you tag a friend — we see it and we want you to know that we know you are the people lighting it up. 'Keep going. Let's move on this momentum together.'
