Riyadh, November 14, 2024 – Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC), led the eighth SOPC board meeting for 2024 remotely on Wednesday. The meeting saw the participation of Vice President of the Committee Prince Fahad bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz, SOPC Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General Abdulaziz Baashen, and various board members, who came together to discuss progress, priorities, and forthcoming initiatives.
In his opening remarks, Prince Abdulaziz expressed profound gratitude for the steadfast support extended by the Kingdom’s leadership to the Saudi sports sector. He noted that this backing has been instrumental in the nation’s sports development, bolstering its capacity to host high-profile international sports events and strengthening the Olympic and Paralympic initiatives. Of particular note, he highlighted Riyadh's selection as the host city for the upcoming Olympic Esports Games in 2025, an achievement underscoring the Kingdom’s growing influence in global sports.
Key agenda items during the meeting included a review of the SOPC’s strategic and operational direction for 2025 through 2032. The board evaluated several executive initiatives designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of national sports federations. The SOPC’s newly outlined strategy emphasizes enhancing the competitive edge of Saudi athletes on the international stage and establishing sustainable support structures to foster athletic excellence.
Additionally, the board gave its approval to the SOPC’s budget for 2025, ensuring the committee’s financial alignment with its strategic goals. Administrative regulations pertaining to human resources were also ratified, reinforcing the committee’s commitment to governance and professional development. A comprehensive report covering the third quarter of 2024 was reviewed, providing insights into the committee’s progress and performance.
A significant part of the discussions also centered around the electoral process for sports federations, set to take place from 2024 to 2028. This process, essential to fostering an inclusive and competitive sports environment, aims to equip federations with capable leadership committed to elevating Saudi sports standards.
This meeting marked a continued effort by the SOPC to pursue excellence and innovation in Saudi sports, aligning with the broader vision of achieving leadership and distinction in the global sporting arena.