Saudi Arabia’s Special Olympics Delegation: A Showcase of the Kingdom’s Growing Sports Landscape
On Saturday night, Saudi Arabia’s top sports figures attended the launch of the Berlin 2023 Special Olympics in a show of support for the Kingdom’s 130-strong delegation. The largest Special Olympics contingent since the 1995 Games in New Haven, Connecticut, is made up of 85 male and female athletes who will take part in 15 sports.
The Special Olympics and Their Importance to Saudi Arabia’s Sporting Landscape
Prince Khaled bin Al-Waleed bin Talal, president of the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA), spoke exclusively to Arab News about the Special Olympics and their importance to Saudi Arabia’s sporting landscape. He highlighted how physical activity can change lives for the better, which is in line with the SFA’s value system. The SFA seeks to inspire people of all ages and abilities to engage in physical activity, which changes lives.
The Role of the SFA in Elite Sporting Events, Such as the Special Olympics
As the main body responsible for developing community sports, the SFA is mandated to work “together towards a healthy active community,” or raise participation numbers across the country. The emphasis here is on the words “together” and “community.” The SFA hopes that seeing its athletes compete globally will inspire more people across the country to try new activities.
Why Did the SFA Delegation Decide to Go to Berlin for the Games?
The SFA sent representation to Berlin for the Games in support of the Kingdom’s efforts on the global sports stage. Given its experience hosting international tournaments, launching nation- and region-wide events, and promoting diversity and inclusion, the SFA believed it could serve as a knowledgeable and valued partner to the Saudi delegation.
How Does the Current Mass Participation Landscape in Saudi Create More Opportunities for Sports as a Business?
Saudi Arabia is becoming a leading global sports hub. In 2021 alone, the SFA launched and organized over 27 initiatives and activities, including community programs, National Day engagements, and sports championships. These were attended by more than 4 million participants. The SFA also launched the first-ever Global Goals World Cup in Saudi Arabia, a football tournament dedicated to women and girls. According to the General Authority for Statistics’ latest Household Sports Practice Survey, 38.3 percent of females in the Kingdom now participate in various forms of weekly exercise.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Special Olympics is important, timely, and representative of where and who the Kingdom is as a nation. The focus on inclusion of all abilities is of the utmost importance to the SFA, as it is always working to raise awareness and support more people from all walks of life to enjoy their favorite sports and physical activities. The SFA’s efforts to promote community sports and mass participation are creating more opportunities for sports as a business in Saudi Arabia.