The first edition of Saudi Games 2022 is due to take place from March 10 to March 20 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is the largest national sporting event held in the Kingdom’s history in terms of diversity of the games included and number of participants. 13 Saudi regions compete through 45 different sports with a mechanism similar to what is seen in the Olympic Games. This event forms part of the “Quality of Life 2020” programme, which features in the wider “Saudi Vision 2030” aiming to raise the level of sport in the country, including hosting more events, such as the 2034 Asian Games, to be staged in Riyadh.
PARTICIPATING ATHLETES With more than 5,000 local, amateur and professional athletes (female and male) accredited by the concerned federation in each game are expected to compete, in addition to the presence of more than 3,000 technical and administrative officials and more than 5,000 participating volunteers. The Opening Ceremony is due to take place at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh. The selection of sports was based on their popularity, technicality, sports rules and regulations at the International Olympic Committee and International Olympic Federations.
SPORTS The chosen sports are Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball 5×5, Basketball 3×3, Beach Volleyball, Billiards, Bowling, Boxing, Camel Racing, Chess, Cycling (road racing), Equestrian (endurance-jumping), Electronic Games, Fencing, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Rowing, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Shooting, Sports Climbing, Skateboarding, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Paddle, Karting, Sambo, Aikido, Wushu, and finally Balut (a traditional card game).
The Saudi Games 2022 mascot: Saudi Arabia has declared February 10 as “Arabian Leopard Day” in a bid to raise awareness of the endangered big cat.
SAUDI GAMES 2022 AGENDA
February 10: Mascot launch day ‘The Arabian Leopard’ in conjunction with the #ArabianLeopardDay
February 13: Registration closed for the public athletes
February 16-20: Audition stage for the public category
February 26: Torch Relay around the Kingdom
March 10: Opening Ceremony at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh
March 10-20: The date of official games
VISION 2030 The Saudi Games 2022 are only one part of Vision 2030; which is a strategic framework to increase Saudi Arabia’s dependence on sustainable sources apart from oil, such as tourism, developing public services infrastructures, recreation and sports, including hosting events, such as the Asian Games 2034, Dakar, Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the football Spanish Super Cup. Crown prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman said in his leadership message on Vision 2030 website: “My primary goal is to be an exemplary and leading nation in all aspects, and I will work with you in achieving this endeavour.”
About the Author
