The Olympic and Paralympic sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia achieved exceptional success and distinction during 2025, reflecting the rapid development witnessed by the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and all sports federations. This fruitful outcome was achieved thanks to the generous patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, and the unprecedented and generous support of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God preserve him, and the meticulous follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
Vision 2030: The primary driver of sports transformation
The achievements of 2025 cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically the Quality of Life Program, which has established sports as a cornerstone for promoting public health and raising the Kingdom's profile on the international stage. Saudi sports have transformed from a mere recreational activity into a professional industry and a soft power that enhances the Kingdom's global standing. The strategies launched and implemented in 2025 aim to build a solid foundation for the future, ultimately achieving the goals of 2032 and competing strongly for Olympic podium finishes.
Hosting major events: Islamic Solidarity Games
The year 2025 marked a turning point in Saudi Arabia's history of hosting major sporting events, as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques honored the sports sector with his generous patronage of the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games, which Riyadh hosted last November. The Kingdom demonstrated its immense organizational capabilities, as attested by 57 Islamic countries, delivering the best edition since the Games' inception in 2005. This success strengthens the Kingdom's bid to host major international events in the future and confirms the readiness of its infrastructure and national workforce to manage large-scale events.
Crown Prince's support: From the International Olympic Committee to esports
Continuing the interest of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince – may God protect him – the year 2025 witnessed high-level diplomatic and sporting activity, beginning with His Highness's meeting with Dr. Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, in February, reflecting the international weight of Saudi sports. Direct support for champions was also evident in His Highness's reception of Saudi Paralympic athlete Abdulrahman Al-Qurashi, honoring his achievement of winning the gold medal at the Paris Paralympic Games. Support was not limited to traditional sports but also extended to the future sector, as His Highness graced the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup in August and sponsored the closing of the Camel Festival in September, combining tradition and modernity.
Strategic partnerships and a vibrant community
In terms of sustainability and partnerships, the 2025 Olympic season saw concrete steps taken within the framework of the Committee's 2025-2032 strategy. A sponsorship agreement was signed with the Saudi Investment Bank, making it the first official sponsor of Team Saudi Arabia, in July, and the new official uniform was launched in partnership with ASICS. To promote community sports, the Committee launched the national challenge "Burn Them," which successfully motivated the community to burn more than 100 million calories with widespread participation from 140 cities and governorates, confirming the strategy's success in integrating competitive sports with promoting the overall health of Saudi society.
