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Saudi Arabia launches campaign bid to host 2030 Asian Games in Riyadh

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The first Saudi Olympic medalist Hadi Soaan, alongside Dalma Malhas — the first Saudi woman to compete in the Olympics — and children practicing the Olympic Games in Saudi Arabia attended the ceremony. (Twitter/@RiyadhAG2030)
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Updated 06 October 2020
Arab News
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Saudi Arabia launches campaign bid to host 2030 Asian Games in Riyadh

  • Social media accounts active under the name RiyadhAG2030
Updated 06 October 2020
Arab News

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s sports minister on Sunday launched the Kingdom’s official campaign to help secure enough votes from members of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to host the 21st Asian Games in 2030.
Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, who is also chairman of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee (SAOC), formally submitted the country’s application bid to the governing body, nominating Riyadh to stage the event.
Officials are due to decide on which city will host the games (known as the Asiad) when they meet for their 39th OCA General Assembly in Muscat, Oman on Dec. 16. The other city still in contention is the Qatari capital Doha.

The prince said: “Hosting the 2030 Asian Games is a great honor and an opportunity to inspire a new generation of athletes across the Asian continent and reach the largest audience in the Kingdom’s sports hosting history.
“We are excited (at the chance) to host the first-ever Asian Games (in Saudi Arabia), in light of the support of the government of King Salman and the crown prince.”
He added that the Kingdom had recently hosted a number of high-profile international sporting events and that securing the Asiad would provide a golden opportunity to advance long-term sports, societal, and cultural changes for the nation.

The minister had been speaking at a ceremony also attended by Princess Reema bint Bandar, who is a member of the board of directors of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Kingdom’s ambassador to the US, and other Saudi sports officials and athletes.
If Riyadh were to win its hosting bid, Prince Abdul Aziz said: “We promise to organize a successful tournament by all standards, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”
Princess Reema said that Riyadh 2030 would be a vibrant and diverse event in a unique atmosphere, using pre-existing sporting venues along with purpose-built facilities, pointing out that it would “create a platform to highlight the power of the Olympic Games throughout the yellow continent (Asia), and consolidate its values.”

She added: “​By working with the OCA, Riyadh 2030 would provide a legacy of diversity and participation across the nation, which would have a major impact in the coming decades.”
Prince Nawaf bin Faisal bin Fahad, honorary member of the IOC and former president of SAOC, said that raising the level of female participation in sports was a key goal of the Saudi Vision 2030 reform plan under its quality of life program.

He noted that the aim was to increase women’s involvement in sporting activities by 40 percent, in line with the Kingdom’s efforts to promote and support its elite athletes in becoming top medal winners in international competitions.
Meanwhile, Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdul Aziz, vice president of the SAOC, said that if the Saudi capital were named to host the Asiad, the main stadium would be located in Qiddiya along with a water sports center and cricket ground.

“We are committed to supporting Olympic values ​​and a shift toward more sustainable and socially responsible games,” he added.
Saudi runner Hadi Sawan, who won the first Saudi Olympic medal in 2000, said that the Kingdom’s dream was to host the 2030 Asian Games.

And Saudi equestrian, Dalma Malhas, who won the bronze medal at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, said that staging the sports festival at amazing and modern venues in Riyadh would provide a platform to meet the needs of the continent’s best athletes and allow them to shine.

The bid file submitted by Prince Abdul Aziz to the OCA included world-class venues and facilities connected to the latest environmentally friendly transportation systems.
It said the impact of the games would inspire the Asian Olympic movement throughout the continent by spreading sporting values and enhancing communication, not only in sport but socially and culturally too, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
To mark the Saudi campaign launch, the Riyadh 2030 hosting committee released its official social media accounts under the name RiyadhAG2030.

 

Topics: Saudi Arabia 2030 Asian Games Dalma Malhas #RiyadhAG2030 Riyadh 2030 Hadi Sawan Olympics Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdul Aziz Qiddiya Prince Nawaf bin Faisal bin Fahad Princess Reema bint Bandar International Olympic Committee (IOC) Asiad Riyadh Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) 21st Asian Games Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee (SAOC)

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Saudi fashion showcased in Selfridges

Updated 18 June 2025
Arab News
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Saudi fashion showcased in Selfridges

  • London store to host designs by Kingdom’s rising stars
Updated 18 June 2025
Arab News

RIYADH: The Saudi Fashion Commission has teamed up with the Cultural Development Fund and British high-end department store Selfridges to showcase some of the Kingdom’s leading stylists.

Selected labels from the Saudi 100 Brands program and CDF beneficiaries, all of which blend modern Saudi aesthetics with innovative design techniques, will be on display at the store in London for the next two months, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The commission’s CEO Burak Cakmak said: “This is more than retail, it marks a new era for Saudi fashion, from Riyadh to London.”

The Saudi 100 Brands program supported designers in refining their craft and building global business opportunities, he said.

The partnership with Selfridges represents a significant milestone for the Saudi fashion industry, reflecting its rising momentum and evolving talent base. It also coincides with the Kingdom’s Year of Handicrafts 2025.

CDF CEO Majed Al-Hogail said the event highlighted the sector’s growing role in shaping Saudi Arabia’s cultural economy.

“Saudi talents are redefining our creative identity, rooted in heritage, expressed globally,” he said.

Topics: Saudi fashion commission selfridges Saudi Cultural Development Fund

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New award honors top Hajj hospitality centers

Updated 18 June 2025
Arab News
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New award honors top Hajj hospitality centers

  • The award recognizes top-performing hospitality centers affiliated with Ekram Al-Dayf
Updated 18 June 2025
Arab News

MAKKAH: Amr Al-Maddah, undersecretary for Hajj and Umrah services at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, has launched the inaugural Ekram Excellence Award for Hajj season 2025.

The award recognizes top-performing hospitality centers affiliated with Ekram Al-Dayf, a division of Ashraqat company serving Arab pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Adnan Saleh Al-Shehri, adviser for excellence and awards at Ekram Al-Dayf, said the initiative aims to inspire excellence in administration and operations.

It seeks to deliver high-quality, sustainable services in line with Vision 2030, the ministry’s goals, the Pilgrim Experience Program, and Ekram Al-Dayf’s strategy.

The award honors outstanding centers, promotes a culture of quality and commitment, and encourages compliance with service standards.

It also aims to boost competition among providers, improve performance indicators, and support innovation, according to the SPA.

The initiative further promotes social responsibility, volunteerism, and enhances the overall pilgrim experience. It aligns with the ministry’s broader efforts to raise hospitality standards and ensure an exceptional Hajj journey.

Topics: Hajj 2025 Ekram Excellence Award

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JIAT clears coalition of alleged rights violations in Yemen

Updated 18 June 2025
Hajar AlQusayer
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JIAT clears coalition of alleged rights violations in Yemen

  • Coalition forces identified four locations and carried out an air mission on what was considered a legitimate military target and in line with international humanitarian law
Updated 18 June 2025
Hajar AlQusayer

RIYADH: The Joint Incidents Assessment Team on Wednesday issued a statement in response to allegations of human rights violations in Yemen over the targeting of Sarwah Rural Hospital in Harib directorate, Marib governorate on April 24, 2015.

After examining various documents, including air tasking orders, daily mission schedules, mission execution procedures, after-mission reports and satellite images, the JIAT concluded that the hospital is located in Sarwah village and included on the coalition forces’ no-strike list.

Specialists studied satellite images of the hospital and found no trace of damage to its structures caused by aerial targeting.

Analyzing coalition air missions on April 24, 2015, the JIAT found no evidence of operations in Sarwah village. Similarly, missions on April 23 and April 25 showed no activity in the area.

In a press conference in Riyadh, JIAT spokesman Mansour Al-Mansour addressed an allegation that coalition forces targeted a mosque in Al-Sawad in Yemen’s Amran governorate on Sept. 23, 2019.

After reviewing air missions, the JIAT found that no coalition operations were carried out in Amran on that date.

By studying missions conducted the day before, the JIAT reported that intelligence indicated Houthi militia fighters were gathering at mobilization sites in Harf Sufyan in Amran in preparation for a major attack.

Coalition forces identified four locations and carried out an air mission on what was considered a legitimate military target and in line with international humanitarian law.

“The coalition forces have taken all possible precautions to avoid accidental loss or damage to civilians and civilian objects, or in any case, to minimize it to the lowest possible level, during the planning and execution of the military operation,” Al-Mansour said.

The precautions included the use of “guided bombs proportionate to the size of the military targets and ensuring that there were no civilians present before or during the targeting,” he said.

The JIAT concluded that the strike was lawful. It noted that while the targeted structure was claimed to be a mosque, no indications such as a minaret were found.

It also addressed an allegation that a coalition airstrike hit a pickup truck in Al-Jarr village, Hajjah governorate, followed by a second strike 10 minutes later that destroyed a house on June 16, 2019.

After reviewing air mission data, satellite images and visiting operational centers, the JIAT found no evidence of coalition activity on that date, nor on the days before or after. Satellite imagery also showed no signs of aerial targeting.

The JIAT concluded that coalition forces did not target Al-Jarr village, as claimed.

It also addressed an allegation that coalition forces targeted houses in Al-Hijrah village, Markhah Al-Sofla directorate in Shabwah on Jan. 4, 2019.

After reviewing air tasking orders, mission schedules, post-mission reports and satellite images, it found that no coalition air missions were conducted in Shabwah.

The JIAT also confirmed that no air missions were carried out in the governorate on Jan. 3 or Jan. 5, 2019, and concluded that coalition forces did not target houses in Al-Hijrah village as claimed.

Topics: JIAT Joint Incidents Assessment Team Yemen

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FSB Sports Show Riyadh spotlights exhibitors powering sports, leisure solutions for urban future

Updated 18 June 2025
Rashid Hassan
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FSB Sports Show Riyadh spotlights exhibitors powering sports, leisure solutions for urban future

  • Saudi Arabia’s plan to become center for world-class sports infrastructure gaining momentum
Updated 18 June 2025
Rashid Hassan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans to be a center for world-class sports infrastructure and recreation spaces are gaining momentum, with more than $2 billion in committed investments and a projected $5.9 billion in sports sector revenue by 2030.

With major international events, including the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, Asian Winter Games in NEOM’s Trojena in 2029, Riyadh Expo 2030, FIFA World Cup 2034 and the Asian Games in Riyadh in 2034 on the horizon, the Kingdom is accelerating development as part of Vision 2030.

Aligned with this ambition, the inaugural FSB Sports Show Riyadh — organized by DMG Events and Koelnmesse — welcomed thousands of industry leaders and professionals this week at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Rob Hetherington, group business development director at Gebal Group, which was among the exhibitors, said: “Saudi is our most important market that we are focusing on right now.

“We have been working in Saudi for five years now and have already developed over 40 to 50 outdoor spaces. So we have got a team that’s growing into double figures. Our company has 400-plus people and we are going to rapidly grow into the Saudi market.”

The company designs and supplies outdoor recreation areas and has developed skate parks for the Red Sea Project and at the Qiddiyah entertainment city, NEOM and Sports Boulevard, among other places.

“We delivered lots of fanzone spaces in Qatar for the World Cup. Our plan is to do the same thing for the World Cup in Saudi Arabia,” Hetherington said.

Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president for construction at DMG, said: “From active cities and giga-projects to school playgrounds and public parks, Saudi Arabia is transforming how it designs and delivers spaces for sports, wellness and recreation.”

Denis Steker, senior international vice president at Koelnmesse, said: “FSB is the international benchmark for innovations in sports and leisure facilities. As Saudi Arabia scales up investment across public parks, playgrounds or stadiums to increase the health and well-being of the public, now is the ideal time to bring this event to Riyadh.”

At the show, which ran from Monday to Wednesday, Scott Van Der Kleij, sales director at exhibitor GreenFields, told Arab News: “We are here to get a better understanding of what the Saudi market is and especially towards the FIFA World Cup 2034.”

Ramsha Asghar, director for sports flooring at Neo Sports, said the event had “been a really good opportunity to showcase our material and speak to really high-end individuals, and I am really excited for what’s to come from the sports projects.”

Bill Lennox, managing director at Yardex, which supplies artificial grass and is FIFA-certified, told Arab News he saw “tremendous volume and potential for the product” in Saudi Arabia.

The sports show was held concurrently with the International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia.

Gerald Bose, president and CEO of Koelnmesse, said: “Launching both FSB Sports Show and International Hardware Fair marks a significant step in connecting global expertise with Saudi Arabia’s rapidly advancing sectors.”

With more than 200 exhibitors and brands, the FSB Sports Show supported the Kingdom’s plans to develop inclusive and modern environments for community wellness and active living.

Among the standout attractions were TeleiosX, which gave visitors the chance to experience competitive, full-motion racing on the show floor, and a virtual golf simulator presented by Marafei Almarefah.

Topics: FSB Sports Show Riyadh Saud Vision 2030

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Immersive ‘Diriyah experience’ to open in London’s Knightsbridge

Updated 18 June 2025
Arab News
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Immersive ‘Diriyah experience’ to open in London’s Knightsbridge

  • Diriyah Experience House, at One Hyde Park, will feature the project masterplan for the city
  • Jerry Inzerillo: We are thrilled to launch the Diriyah Experience House in the heart of London
Updated 18 June 2025
Arab News

JEDDAH: A pavilion hoping to attract investment in the development of historic Diriyah will open in London’s prestigious Knightsbridge borough next month.

The Diriyah Experience House, at One Hyde Park, will feature the project masterplan for the city, which is projected to welcome more than 50 million visitors annually by 2030. Interactive content will allow visitors to explore the scheme in more detail.

Jerry Inzerillo, group CEO of Diriyah Company, said: “We are thrilled to launch the Diriyah Experience House in the heart of London. Through this global platform, our team will share the story of Diriyah in a way that reflects its stature on the world stage — supporting our international outreach as we build one of the world’s most iconic destinations rooted in the Kingdom’s deep history and rich cultural heritage.”

The pavilion is set to have its official opening in early July, in collaboration with Sotheby’s International Realty, which will operate the venue.

It follows a successful month-long event held in London in July 2024, which highlighted the plans for Diriyah and was accompanied by an intensive promotional campaign across the British capital.

The efforts aim to elevate Diriyah’s global profile as the birthplace of Saudi Arabia and attract increased international interest in its investment potential.

Diriyah Art Futures also recently concluded “The Light Footprint” exhibition at Venice’s Querini Stampalia Foundation. Held in collaboration with Italian architecture firm Schiattarella Associati, it coincided with the opening of the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025.

Curated by Marta Francocci, the exhibition explored the design and conceptual development of DAF’s innovative Riyadh headquarters, an architectural landmark inspired by Najdi tradition and sustainable design. It highlighted the fusion of cultural heritage with technological advancement through models, sketches, videos and archive materials.

Developed by the Saudi Museums Commission, DAF is envisioned as a global hub for art, science and education. “The Light Footprint” was also featured in the collective exhibition, “Intelligens Naturale, Artificiale,” curated by Carlo Ratti as part of the biennale’s official program.

Topics: Diriyah Experience House Jerry Inzerillo London

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