World Stadiums and Arenas Summit Opens in Riyadh
Riyadh hosted the opening of the inaugural World Stadiums and Arenas Summit on Tuesday, marking the start of a two-day gathering of global sports leaders, infrastructure experts, and sustainability professionals. The summit highlights Saudi Arabia's drive to foster innovation and promote sustainability in sports, in line with the goals of Vision 2030.
Day one focused on key topics such as sustainable and smart sports venue development, the impact of sports on community building and the green economy, and global best practices in stadium design.
Discussions also emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships to advance innovation and sustainability within the sector. The summit reinforces the Kingdom's broader commitment to sustainable development and the integration of green initiatives across sports and infrastructure.
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Arab News
4 days ago
- Arab News
FSB Sports Show Riyadh spotlights exhibitors powering sports, leisure solutions for urban future
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Arab News
7 days ago
- Arab News
Investment Ministry supports launch of new health & fitness event ‘FIBO Arabia'
The Ministry of Investment for Saudi Arabia and its Sport Sector Team have signed an investment agreement with RX Arabia to support the launch of FIBO Arabia in the Kingdom. The annual show brings together key players from the health, fitness, and wellness sectors to create a platform for innovations, investments, and trends tailored to an active lifestyle. The event will debut at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center from Oct. 1-3. Organized by RX, a global leader in events and exhibitions, and under the theme for a strong and healthy society, FIBO Arabia is already 60 percent sold out following a successful sales launch at FIBO's flagship trade show in Cologne, Germany last month. There, 1,200 exhibitors and partners from 60 nations and 154,748 visitors from 129 countries were welcomed. The launch of FIBO Arabia coincides with the Saudi government's significant support for investing in the country's sports sector as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy. The government aims to increase sports spending by $22 billion by 2030, encompassing sports clubs, academies, sportswear and equipment, and sports facilities. Vasyl Zhygalo, managing director, Middle East and emerging markets, RX: 'We are honored that the Ministry of Investment for Saudi Arabia is supporting the launch of FIBO Arabia. This underscores the importance of health and fitness to the Saudi Arabian government and highlights its investment-friendly attitude toward overseas entrepreneurs and progressive companies that want to invest in their health and fitness sector.' The country's focus on becoming a global sports hub is underscored by the announcement of major events set to take place in Saudi Arabia, including the 2034 FIFA World Cup, 2027 AFC Asian Cup, and the 2029 Asian Winter Games. Furthermore, according to Gymnation, which operates a chain of fitness centers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the Saudi fitness market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.7 percent between now and 2032 when the health and fitness market is projected to be worth $2.28 billion. Basim K. Ibrahim, sport sector investment development director, at the ministry added: 'FIBO Arabia represents a pivotal platform in advancing Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals by promoting a culture of fitness and wellness while also highlighting the Kingdom's growing potential as a hub for investment within this sector. With increasing emphasis on exercise, sports, and well-being across the Kingdom, the event provides a vital opportunity for international and local brands to showcase the latest innovations and technologies in the industry.' We look forward to the positive impact FIBO Arabia will have on our communities and the exciting prospects it will unlock for the future.' Over the course of three dynamic days, FIBO Arabia will offer unparalleled opportunities for building businesses, networking, and educating at the highest level. Professional development will be a key focus of the show, with FIBO Arabia hosting a series of expert-led workshops, seminars, and keynote sessions.
Arab News
13-06-2025
- Arab News
Palestine: From a penalty kick to the awakening of conscience
Palestine on Tuesday came within a hair's breadth of reaching the Asian playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — only to be denied in the final seconds of their last qualifying match by a penalty kick. On the surface, it was a simple sporting moment. But at its core, it reflects the story of an entire people who have long been subjected to suffering — not because of any fault of their own, but because the scales of the world have never been fair to them. This moment takes us back to the year 1934, when Palestine — under its own name — lost to Egypt in the qualifiers for the second World Cup held in Italy, more than a decade before the establishment of Israel. The point here is that Palestine existed, was active and carried its sporting, cultural and political identity to the world. Today, it returns to the arena, still fighting — not only for sporting goals but for the right to exist and to live in dignity. However, the Palestinian cause has never been confined to a single field or arena. It is the story of a people displaced from their land and of a nation whose rights have long been violated amid prolonged global bias. Today, this suffering can no longer be reduced to images or news reports — it demands a direct call to the conscience of humanity. Human justice urgently requires an honest and impartial stance from every human being on Earth to stop the brutal and unjust war in Gaza and the repeated assaults and invasions of cities in the West Bank. Regardless of Oct. 7, which has been used by the current Israeli government as a pretext to justify mass killings and forced displacement in the form of ethnic cleansing, what is happening now has surpassed all boundaries of logic and humanity. Tens of thousands of innocent people have been killed and tens of thousands more have been injured, displaced or uprooted in a scene that cannot be justified under any circumstances. Palestinian suffering cannot be reduced to images or news reports — it demands a direct call to the conscience of humanity Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama What is happening in Gaza is no longer a conflict, it is a collapse of human values. We see the dead, the wounded, the thirsty and the hungry — children and adults, men and women — all of them innocent and defenseless. This calls for an immediate and comprehensive end to this senseless war, to save the remaining lives and prevent any further collapse of a tragedy whose origins did not begin on Oct. 7 but stretch back through decades of suffering. In this context, courageous positions by some of the nation's leaders stand out, reminding us that Palestine remains at the heart of Arab and Islamic conscience. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman affirmed in his speech to official Hajj guests the Kingdom's unwavering support for the Palestinian people's rights. He said: 'We reaffirm the importance of the international community's role in ending the disastrous consequences of this aggression, protecting innocent civilians, and working toward a new reality in which Palestine can enjoy peace in accordance with international legitimacy and relevant resolutions.' Similarly, President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, in his Eid Al-Adha message, reiterated his country's principled and firm stance in support of the Palestinian cause, affirming that this support will remain a cornerstone of Djibouti's foreign policy until the Palestinian people attain their right to self-determination through the establishment of an independent state. These two stances are not alone. There are many others that represent a genuine call to the world's conscience. Palestine is not asking for charity or momentary sympathy — it is demanding its legitimate rights and a response rooted in humanity before politics. From the pitch to the podium, from speeches to reality, Palestine remains the ultimate test of global conscience. Will the world pass this test — or will it write another chapter of betrayal? Palestine remains the ultimate test of global conscience. Will the world pass this test or write another chapter of betrayal? Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama Today, human justice demands the restoration of the Palestinian people's legitimate rights, the establishment of their state and an end to a humanitarian tragedy unmatched in modern history. Recognizing the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of their independent state on their national soil, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is the demand of all people of conscience. Living in peace in the Middle East and achieving development, security and dignity for all peoples without exception — including both Palestinians and Israelis — is a demand of the human conscience. And this can only be achieved through a just, comprehensive and lasting peace. The Arabs have offered numerous initiatives to end the Middle East conflict — the latest being the Arab Peace Initiative, which is based on land for peace and mutual recognition. Originally a Saudi proposal, it was unanimously supported by the Arab world and endorsed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the second-largest international organization globally. But Israel has not engaged with this initiative or offered any alternatives. So, today we call upon the conscience of humanity: do not delay in supporting peace and justice before it is too late. Recognition of the Palestinian state and a two-state solution — today, not tomorrow — is an urgent path toward reviving the human conscience: a decisive penalty kick that ends the conflict and ushers in a new era of peace — driven by the awakening of a just global conscience. • Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama is Ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
