Sports

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has paid great attention to its initiative and projects in the field of sports and youth in order to reach a significant goal, which is building an active nation and achieving the goal of Vision 2030 in increasing levels of physical activity among segments of the population, in addition to increasing the percentage of the population regularly participating in physical activity, to promote the principles and values of Sports for youth and athletes, and increasing the level of performance in a way that contributes to improving and developing the sports environment in the Kingdom.

The objectives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the field of Sports

To develop sports awareness and create a society dominated by physical activity participation, the Ministry of Sports has set a set of goals that are limited to several axes:

The first theme

Increasing the percentage of sports practices and physical activities through:

  • Providing innovative sports programs to expand the base of practitioners from all segments of society and develop the capabilities and energies of youth.
  • Expanding the base of coaches and volunteers in the sports field.
  • Enhancing the participation and contribution of Saudi women in the field.

The second theme

Creating a high-level competitive sport through:

  • Empowering and governing sports bodies and raising their efficiency.
  • Enhancing the role of sports media in consolidating the culture of sports and spreading its principles and values.
  • Raising the level of Saudi attendance and representation in international sports arenas.

The Third theme

Expanding the efficiency and quality of sports facilities and facilities through:

  • Enhancing the efficiency of managing sports facilities and facilities and improving the stadium environment.
  • Good investment of the authority's sports and youth facilities.

The Fourth theme

Enhancing the financial sustainability of the sector and its contribution to supporting the national economy through:

  • Create opportunities and an attractive environment for events and investment in the sector.
  • Privatizing clubs and raising their competitiveness.

The Fifth theme

Developing institutional performance and establishing a culture of excellence, accountability, and transparency through:

  • Improving the efficiency and productivity of employees.
  • Raising the efficiency of programs and services.
  • Establishing the principles of accountability and transparency.
  • Strengthening partnerships with the three sectors (governmental, private and non-profit) to support sports projects and programs.

Saudi Sports for All Federation

With the aim of building a healthy and vibrant society by inspiring all members of society through the development of comprehensive and sustainable sports and recreational programs, the Ministry of Sports launched the Saudi Sports for All Federation, which is the main body responsible for developing community sports to increase the percentage of physical activity to 40% of the Kingdom's population by The year 2030 G.

The Saudi Sports for All Federation was established in 1439 H as an organizing body for community sports. In 1440 H, the Federation was given the mandate to expand the base of sports practitioners in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on a regular, weekly basis. The Federation aims to achieve the goals of Vision 2030 G by adopting a wide variety of programs and initiatives that are considered the main ingredients for a healthy and athletic society. With the involvement of the private sector in implementation, the rate of social engagement and interaction leads to the essential strategic elements.

Community sports

In an effort to inspire and promote a healthy lifestyle for all members of society through physical activity and nutrition, and in order to encourage regular participation in physical activity through empowerment and promotion, the focus of the Saudi Sports Federation is on community sports, which is defined as "physical activity, whether regular or irregular.", which is practiced regularly in a non-professional environment to achieve health and social goals." Any physical activity can be considered a community sport if it involves physical movement that increases the heart rate and thus leads to health benefits.

The development of community sports in the Kingdom

  • 2018: The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) is established as an organizing body that leads community sports in the Kingdom.
  • 2019: The Saudi Sports for All Federation was granted a mandate to lead the Ministry of Sports' community sports initiatives within the Quality of Life Program framework.
  • 2020: The Sports for All Federation put in place a focused 5-year strategy to advance community sports in the Kingdom.

Quality of Life Program

The Quality of Life Program, which is one of the programs to achieve the Kingdom's Vision 2030, works to support the rehabilitation and training of national cadres in sectors related to the quality of life, including the sports sector, which has achieved remarkable development during the past few years in several areas, including setting sports sector strategies and empowering the private sector, through By hosting international events, in addition to achieving many local and international sporting achievements.

Among the Quality of Life Program initiatives is the "Development and Implementation of the National Strategy for Sports Training" initiative, which the Ministry of Sports implements through several entities, most notably the "Leadership Preparation Institute". Of which about 6025 beneficiaries.

In addition to these courses, the Leadership Development Institute offered several specialized diplomas and educational programs in the sports sector, including the "Sports Marketing and Investment Management Diploma," in which 50 beneficiaries participated, aiming to provide graduates with basic knowledge, skills and practical applications in the field of sports management, investment management, and related marketing.

In addition to training them on the use of technical means in marketing sports programs and investing in sports facilities, and encouraging graduates to choose the optimal and appropriate technological means in planning, preparing, and implementing marketing and investment plans.

The Institute also presented, within the initiatives of the Quality of Life Program, the "Higher Diploma in Sports Management" program in cooperation with the University of London and the International Academy of Sports, in which 25 beneficiaries participated, which aims to prepare and qualify specialized cadres in the field of sports management who can compete in the labor market and meet the requirements of development. Sustainable community service and the development of their professional levels to keep abreast of scientific developments in sports management.

The Institute for Leadership Development launched the "Executive Diploma in Sports Management Program offered by the Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi," which benefited six employees of the Ministry of Sports, the Olympic Committee, and sports federations to enhance managerial skills and empower leadership values.

All training courses and higher education programs launched by the Leadership Development Institute aim to refine and develop competencies in various fields in the sports sector to achieve the objectives of the Quality of Life Program, one of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 programs.

The National Strategy of the Saudi Sports Federation

The Federation's overall strategy is to build an active adult community by allowing everyone to participate in physical activity, Thus achieving a 10% reduction in the rate of physical inactivity for adults by 2025.

Studies have shown that physical activity positively affects society's social, economic, and public health. The Federation builds a healthier and more productive society through physical activity by developing programs and initiatives to enhance physical activity rates across the Kingdom.

The Federation's strategy is based on all segments of society to ensure the provision of opportunities at every stage of their lives. Among the four main societal segments identified by the strategy are the children and adolescent (under 18), the seniors (over 50), the adults (from 26 to 50) and the youth (from 18 to 25)

The Federation developed a strategy for each segment based on a careful analysis of the gap, which contributed to identifying the required recommendations.

Children & adolescents

Inspiring generations under 18 to adopt physical activity habits in their lives to enhance their physical education while ensuring that young people implement the WHO recommendation of devoting 60 minutes a day to physical activity by offering programs inside and outside schools.

Youth

Providing opportunities for sports interaction inside and outside the university for those between the ages of 18-25 and highlighting the social aspect of physical activity.

Adults 

Encouraging physical activity at work and supporting home and community programs for those aged 26-50.

Seniors 

Raise awareness about the health benefits of physical activity and provide appropriate programs for those aged  50+.

The framework of the Saudi Sports Federation strategy

Programs

Provide customized and sustainable participation opportunities for all age groups.

Places

Ensure that suitable and easily accessible places for physical activity are provided.

Persons

Develop a strong network of qualified workforce and volunteers to implement the programs.

Policies

Contribute to policy changes to increase access to opportunities and support implementation.

Administrative communications and campaigns

Develop influential campaigns that ensure the effectiveness of daily administrative communications.

Digital platforms and research

Harnessing technologies and insights to serve and improve plans and the implementation process.

Organizational Governance Structures

Establish effective organizational and governance structures and appoint appropriate implementing partners.

Funding

Ensuring the availability of sustainable financing sources and investment in influential fields.

Partnerships

Building a solid network of influential local and international partners.

The Federation's main strategic investment areas

The Federation aims to invest in 9 key areas that will have the most significant impact on physical activity levels, namely:

School Programs

  • Design active sessions in girls' schools.
  • Design manuals and online tools for teachers to train their students in school.
  • Design a test and standard for physical activity for school students.

Undergraduate programs

  • Work with universities to activate student clubs.
  • Corporate programs.
  • Design tools and work programs for companies to facilitate the implementation process.
  • Supporting employers in providing various physical activity programs for their employees that target different age groups.

Community programs

  •  Design comprehensive programs in public spaces.
  • Designing programs to activate community centers.
  • Stimulate shopping centers to promote opportunities.
  • Work with implementation partners to organize community competitions for all age groups.
  • Building dedicated sports domes around the Kingdom for all members of society to practice and learn a variety of sports.
  • Design and implement virtual programs.

Policies

  • Working with education policymakers to impact relevant policies.
  • Working with stakeholders to enhance infrastructure offerings in cities.
  • Working with health policymakers to connect patients to opportunities for physical activity and to collaborate in program implementation.
  • Working with insurance policymakers to design an incentive program for insurance companies.
  • Develop protection procedures and regulations with relevant entities.
  • Working with selected universities to benefit greatly from their sports facilities.

Media campaigns

Designing comprehensive media campaigns for all segments of society and linking them to Sports for All Federation offers and other offers.

Digital technology

Designing electronic motivational programs nationwide to motivate individuals to practice sports.

Research

Conducting detailed research on different age groups.

Global partnerships

Children & adolescents (0-18)

Avoid obesity
Physically active adolescents are ten times more likely to avoid smoking and ten times more likely to be obese than their inactive peers.

Youth  (18-25)

The youth who are  practicing physical activity is likely to have job opportunities by 7% and additional opportunities throughout their life by 7-8%. Likewise, the youth who are  practicing physical activity is less likely to engage in inappropriate practices and behaviors. Mature youth participating in sports activities had 13% higher leadership skills than their non-participating peers.

Adults (25-50)

Adults’ participation in sports  and exercise reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke for males and females by an average of 30%.

Seniors (50+ years)

The chances of preventing cardiovascular diseases increase by 25%, and the average life expectancy may increase by five years for the elderly group who exercise.
Regular physical activity for this group also contributes to avoiding depression and reducing Alzheimer's symptoms.

Programs and competitions of the Ministry of Sports

Saudi Olympic Committee

The Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee was established in Riyadh in 1384 H - 1964 G and was recognized by the International Olympic Committee in 1385 H - 1965 G after the Saudi federations for athletics, football, basketball, volleyball, and cycling joined the concerned international federations. It is a supreme sports body with an independent legal personality that is sponsored by the state and helps it achieve its goals.  It is considered the only body representing the Kingdom in all, regional and international Olympic activities.

Saudi Professional League

The Saudi Professional League was established in 2008 under the umbrella of the Saudi Football Association. The Saudi Professional League operates with complete administrative and financial independence and holds all commercial rights for league competitions in its premium category.

The Saudi Professional League also seeks to bring the Saudi Professional League to the top ten positions in the world technically, marketing, financially, and in the media, in addition to contributing with clubs in finding sponsors for them and implementing their commercial plan while developing electronic media and media material for the activities of the Association, in addition to maintaining Commercial rights of clubs and preventing the exploitation of club logos.

Saudi Football Association

The Saudi Football Association was officially established in 1956. In the same year, it joined the International Federation of Football Associations and the Asian Football Confederation to start the process of organizing its local championships in addition to its foreign participation, during which it achieved many achievements.

"Move with Us" Initiative

One of the initiatives of the Saudi Sports for All Federation was launched to encourage all members of society to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle with the direct support of the Ministry of Sports and the Quality of Life Program.

The "Move with Us" initiative includes running and cycling races in 13 cities across the Kingdom to encourage all members of society to participate in order to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle, with direct support from the Ministry of Sports and the Quality of Life Program.
The initiative is held in 13 regions around the Kingdom, and the Saudi Sports Federation launched the initiative on October 29 in Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

Sport Federations

Sports associations are an essential sports tributary to the official sports institutions.

Discovering talents and encouraging sports practices. It is an official umbrella for amateur sports enthusiasts and practitioners who wish to practice sports according to a regulatory and technical framework organized under the supervision and regulations of the concerned government agencies. Sports associations have a legal personality governed by laws and regulations and administrative and financial oversight from the Ministry of Human Resources.

It contributes to creating a community practicing sports in an ideal environment. Moreover, it strengthened the work to ensure that these associations are non-profit organizations that achieve their goals of encouraging the community to establish civil associations in the development fields.

Sports medicine

To meet the needs of sports youth in the Kingdom and complement the sports facilities, the government established the Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Hospital for Sports Medicine in the year 1406 H. In various aspects of modern sports medicine, prevention and treatment, they can practice their sporting activities in the best way and in a fit and healthy condition.

Prince Faisal bin Fahd Hospital for Sports Medicine is an essential building block in the edifice of national sports, and a broad and stable sports base cannot be established without relying on an integrated set of sports medicine services that keep pace with prevailing sports planning.

The hospital was established on a specialized nature to be a center for providing distinguished services in the various fields of modern sports medicine, which is not limited to diagnosing or treating sports injuries, but rather as a multifaceted professional specialty, the pillar of prevention and care of the health of the athlete.

The hospital offers clinical sports medicine in all its preventive and curative aspects. It is essential to diagnose the injury accurately and determine the appropriate treatment for it using all modern technologies commensurate with the nature of sports performance, ensuring that the athlete returns to practice his favorite sport quickly.

This is what the hospital has been offering since its inception, relying on the combined experience and knowledge of specialists in the field of sports medicine, using the most advanced equipment in this field.

Mobile Applications for Sports Sector

To discover the key government applications for the Sports Sector, please click here.

Important links

Relevant Agencies