Riyadh, March 21, 2025, The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) signed a strategic partnership agreement in Riyadh on Sunday with the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) and King Saud University (KSU) to launch the FIFA/CIES International Programme in Sports Management in Saudi Arabia.
The program, set to begin in Riyadh in the coming months, will provide participants with valuable knowledge on the business, financial, and legal aspects of sports, along with modern administrative practices in global sports. This initiative is part of SAFF's educational efforts to develop a variety of academic programs within Saudi football.
Acting President of KSU, Prof. Abdullah bin Salman Al-Salman, announced that the university is the 20th institution globally to host the international program, which will teach the fundamentals of modern sports management, including football.
CIES President Pierre Cornu highlighted the importance of the partnership, noting that the FIFA/CIES program will help train a new generation of sports managers to enhance Saudi Arabia's position on the global sports stage.