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The Saudi Sports Project.. A Vision Shaping the Future

Saleh Abdullah Al-Musallam

Date of publication: July 19, 2026 00:21 KSA

The success of the Saudi sports project was not a coincidence, but rather the result of long-term planning, investment in human capital and infrastructure, development of systems and legislation, and improving governance efficiency, in addition to building international partnerships that strengthened the Kingdom's position on the global sports arena.

What Saudi sports is witnessing is no longer just a series of scattered achievements or hosted tournaments, but has become an integrated national project, based on a clear vision and strategic goals, and is considered one of the most important transformation programs launched by the Kingdom under Saudi Vision 2030. The continuous support from His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has contributed to turning this project into a global model, attracting the attention of sports, economic, and media institutions around the world. Investment in youth is one of the most important pillars of this project, as sports are no longer just a recreational activity but have become a means to enhance quality of life, develop talents, and establish a culture of competition and excellence, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 in building a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation.

Moreover, the project to privatize clubs, attract top global stars, and host international tournaments in various sports were not ends in themselves, but tools to accelerate the development of the sports sector, increase its contribution to the national economy, stimulate investment, create new job opportunities, and promote the sports industry as one of the promising sectors. Saudi sports have become a great national success story, confirming that a clear vision, leadership support, and institutional work can create a historic transformation whose impact is reflected on society, the economy, and the Kingdom's international standing. With the continued implementation of Vision 2030 goals, it seems that what has been achieved so far is the beginning of a brighter phase, in which the Kingdom continues to consolidate its position as one of the rising sports powers in the world. Perhaps the most prominent factors for the success of the Saudi sports project are the presence of leadership that believes in the importance of sports as "soft power," contributing to enhancing the Kingdom's international presence and building bridges of communication with peoples, in addition to its role in supporting the economy, tourism, and entertainment. This has been reflected in the Kingdom's hosting of several of the world's largest sports events, strengthening international federations' confidence in its organizational and administrative capabilities. Another important aspect is that the Saudi sports project was not limited to football but extended to include various sports, with attention to women's sports, school sports, sports federations, and talent discovery programs, reflecting the comprehensiveness of the vision and the sustainability of the work. Sustaining this success requires preserving achievements through investment in national cadres, developing sports academies, enhancing research and innovation in sports sciences, benefiting from modern technologies, and instilling a culture of professionalism and discipline within the sports system.

Saudi Sports Sports Project