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| Ministry of Sport (Saudi Arabia) | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | Ministry of Sport |
| Native name | وزارة الرياضة |
| Formed | 2018 |
| Preceding1 | General Sports Authority |
| Jurisdiction | Saudi Arabia |
| Headquarters | Riyadh |
| Minister | Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud |
Ministry of Sport (Saudi Arabia) is the cabinet-level body responsible for overseeing sports in Saudi Arabia, national athletics in Saudi Arabia, and the development of professional football in Saudi Arabia, basketball in Saudi Arabia, and sports policy in Saudi Arabia. It succeeded the General Sports Authority (Saudi Arabia) and operates within the institutional environment shaped by Vision 2030 (Saudi Arabia), Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman initiatives, and national reform agendas.
The ministry was established in 2018 after the dissolution of the General Sports Authority (Saudi Arabia), following directives associated with Vision 2030 (Saudi Arabia), Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, King Salman, and broader reforms impacting Saudi Arabian society. Early organizational changes involved figures linked to Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud, transitions from entities such as the Saudi Olympic Committee and collaborations with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Ministry of Culture (Saudi Arabia), and international partners including the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, and Asian Football Confederation. Historical milestones include the hosting of events tied to Formula E, Diriyah Season, Riyadh Season, and series associated with Saudi Pro League, which reflected shifting priorities set by Public Investment Fund (Saudi Arabia) investments and private ventures like Saudi Sports for All Federation.
The ministry's leadership structure features the Minister of Sport, currently Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud, supported by deputy ministers drawn from profiles connected to Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, General Authority for Entertainment (Saudi Arabia), and executives with experience at Public Investment Fund (Saudi Arabia), Saudi Aramco, and international federations including FIFA and the International Olympic Committee. Administrative departments coordinate with national federations such as the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation, and the Saudi Arabian Athletics Federation, while advisory boards include representatives from King Abdullah Sports City, Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, and private promoters like Qiddiya Investment Company.
The ministry is mandated to implement national strategies aligned with Vision 2030 (Saudi Arabia), promote elite performance for competitions like the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and FIFA World Cup, regulate professional leagues including the Saudi Pro League, oversee anti-doping compliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency, and develop grassroots participation through partnerships with entities such as the Saudi Sports for All Federation and the General Entertainment Authority. It is responsible for licencing federations including the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, coordinating talent pathways linked to the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee and managing relations with continental bodies like the Asian Football Confederation and the Olympic Council of Asia.
Key initiatives include talent development academies modelled on systems used by FC Barcelona's La Masia, Manchester City Football Academy, and Ajax Youth Academy, community programs inspired by Sport England and citywide events like Riyadh Season and Diriyah Season. The ministry launched national campaigns to increase participation paralleling projects from Saudi Sports for All Federation, collaborations with the International Olympic Committee for athlete development, and elite support schemes targeting qualifiers for the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and World Athletics Championships. Commercial initiatives involve bidding partnerships with promoters of Formula 1, WWE, and Saudi Pro League stakeholders, while social programs coordinate with Ministry of Health (Saudi Arabia) and educational institutions such as King Saud University.
The ministry oversees or coordinates policy for venues including King Fahd International Stadium, King Abdullah Sports City, Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, and multi-sport complexes developed by Qiddiya Investment Company and Diriyah Gate Development Authority. It has supported the upgrade of training centers linked to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, establishment of high performance centers comparable to Aspire Academy and partnerships with private stadium operators and event organizers such as Riyadh Season and Formula E promoters.
The ministry manages international sporting diplomacy with bodies including the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, World Athletics, Asian Football Confederation, Olympic Council of Asia, and global event partners like Formula 1, Formula E, and World Boxing Council. It facilitates Saudi participation in tournaments such as the FIFA Club World Cup, AFC Champions League, Asian Games, and supports hosting bids that intersect with entities like the Public Investment Fund (Saudi Arabia), international promoters, and neighboring federations including United Arab Emirates Football Association and Qatar Football Association.
Funding sources include state allocations from the Saudi budget under the oversight of the Ministry of Finance (Saudi Arabia), commercial revenues from the Saudi Pro League, event hosting income from Riyadh Season and Diriyah Season, investment from sovereign entities such as the Public Investment Fund (Saudi Arabia), and sponsorships involving corporations like Saudi Aramco and international partners. Budgetary planning is coordinated with national development plans tied to Vision 2030 (Saudi Arabia), and expenditure covers infrastructure projects with developers such as Qiddiya Investment Company, athlete development with the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, and international engagements with federations including FIFA and the International Olympic Committee.
Category:Sports ministries