In a strategic move aimed at transforming the sports sector in the Kingdom, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, issued an official decree establishing the "Saudi Combat Sports Association" and appointing His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Sattam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz as its president. This decision reflects the sports leadership's commitment to unifying efforts and developing individual sports in which the Kingdom possesses promising opportunities for global competition.
Forming the Association's Board of Directors
According to the issued resolution, the association's board of directors was formed to include a select group of specialized sports leaders to ensure the integration of roles, with membership including:
- Chief Executive Officer of Operations and Operations at the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (Vice President).
- President of the Saudi Karate Federation.
- President of the Saudi Wrestling Federation.
- President of the Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
- President of the Saudi Judo Federation.
- President of the Saudi Taekwondo Federation.
Strategic goals and key tasks
The new association undertakes significant tasks aimed at building a comprehensive sports system, including establishing and supporting strategic partnerships to develop combat sports and strengthen their technical and administrative foundations. The association will also work to align the local tournament schedule with the international calendar, facilitating interaction between Saudi athletes and their global counterparts. Furthermore, it will enable clubs to participate in international events, fund high-quality initiatives, develop an accredited training system for athletes, enhance the skills of national coaches, and facilitate access to training facilities for federations and clubs.
The context of the sports renaissance and Vision 2030
The establishment of this association aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically the Quality of Life Program, which places great emphasis on promoting sports participation in society and achieving regional and global sporting excellence. In recent years, the Kingdom has witnessed an unprecedented surge in hosting major sporting events, including world martial arts championships, creating a broad fan base and a growing passion for these sports among Saudi youth.
Importance and expected impact
The establishment of this association is expected to have a wide-ranging positive impact at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, the association will help eliminate the fragmentation of efforts among different federations and unify technical and training standards, thus raising the level of local competition. Internationally, the focus on combat sports—which are among the most successful sports in the Olympic and Asian Games—will enhance the Kingdom's chances of reaching the podium and achieving accomplishments befitting the status of Saudi sports, by developing Olympic champions according to international scientific and training standards.
