Riyadh, October 1, 2024 – In a landmark event for Saudi Arabia’s sports and education sectors, Minister of Sport and chairman of the Mahd Sports Academy's board of directors, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, and Minister of Education, Yousef Al-Benyan, inaugurated the first Government Sports School for Talented Athletes at the middle school level. This innovative initiative marks a groundbreaking collaboration between the Ministry of Sport, the Ministry of Education, and the Mahd Sports Academy, and took place at the academy's headquarters in the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Olympic Complex in Riyadh.
The inauguration ceremony opened with a speech by Abdullah bin Faisal Hammad, President of the Mahd Sports Academy, who highlighted the academy’s achievements since its establishment in 2021. He emphasized that the newly launched Sports School for Talented Athletes builds upon the academy’s existing successes, providing gifted students with both academic education and specialized sports training in one environment. These students are expected to become role models within the sports sector, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and ambition to compete in future national and international competitions, and ultimately win championships and titles.
In his address, Hammad announced that 354 talented students specializing in football, athletics, and martial arts have been enrolled in the school’s first phase. The academy’s long-term goal is to identify and nurture 1 million young talents across various sports disciplines. He also outlined the academy’s vision to become a global leader in sports talent development through its dedicated research and innovation center.
Furthermore, Hammad underscored the strong partnership between the Mahd Sports Academy and the Ministry of Education, highlighting joint programs such as the Tamheed program. This initiative involves comprehensive physical and technical assessments conducted in public schools, which have already gathered data on nearly half a million students. The program aims to discover promising athletes from a young age and provide them with opportunities for advanced training and development.
The establishment of the Sports School for Talented Athletes marks a significant step forward in Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to develop its sports sector, aligning with the broader objectives of Vision 2030. By investing in young talent and fostering a supportive environment for both education and athletic excellence, the Kingdom aims to become a powerhouse in the global sports arena.