Exclusive: Abdulaziz bin Turki: Saudi General Sport Authority Undergoing Restructuring

Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Exclusive: Abdulaziz bin Turki: Saudi General Sport Authority Undergoing Restructuring

Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal has said that “the latest steps taken by the Kingdom's Vision 2030 are visible.”

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of a UK forum, Prince Abdulaziz said that “the sports sector is witnessing changes pivoted on the economic sports sector.”

“We are currently studying the governance of sports economy and the role of the General Sport Authority in granting licenses, means and regulations to any concerned private sector party.”

Faisal added that the government seeks to facilitate the process of entering the Saudi sports sector, whether it is for investment reasons or for building academies or for developing athletes.

He pointed out that this will lead to the restructuring of the General Sport Authority.

He added that the Crown Prince’s historic visit to the UK opens the way for the General Sport Authority to learn and benefit from experiences existing in Britain (in both public and private sectors).

As for Saudi Arabia hosting the Olympics one day, Faisal said: "Why not?"

“We are restructuring the Olympic Committee, and one of the most important conditions is to increase the number of Saudis in international sporting events.”

“We are still at the beginning of the road, but we aspire towards reaching that goal.”

More so, the Saudi General Sport Authority signed on Thursday a memorandum of understanding with the PGA European Tour in cooperation with King Abdullah Economic City.

The European Tour is an organization which operates the three leading men's professional golf tours in Europe.



Saudi Crown Prince, France’s Macron Discuss Need to Restore Free Navigation in Hormuz

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, France’s Macron Discuss Need to Restore Free Navigation in Hormuz

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held telephone talks on Saturday with French President Emmanuel Macron on the talks to end the war on Iran. 

In a post on the X platform, Macron said they tackled the situation in the Middle East. He renewed his support for the ceasefire, “which should be respected in full and be expanded to include Lebanon without delay.” 

“We also discussed the need to restore free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible,” Macron added. 

“With the negotiations kicking off in Islamabad, we agreed to remain in close contact to help in de-escalation and freedom of navigation and to reach an agreement that ensures permanent peace and security in the region,” stressed Macron. 

Macron also spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging ″respect for the ceasefire and its application to Lebanon.” 

The French leader did not mention the negotiations in Pakistan, but said he and Erdogan ″underlined the need for a robust and lasting diplomatic solution.” 

Macron has been speaking regularly with other world leaders about the war and helping lead efforts for a mission to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once the fighting calms.  

He has been particularly active in pushing for peace in Lebanon, a former French protectorate with close ties to France. 

Macron said on Saturday that he had spoken with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, and had highlighted ‌to ‌him the ‌importance ⁠of de-escalating the current ⁠situation through the ceasefire talks in Pakistan. 

"I stressed the need for ⁠Iran to restore ‌freedom ‌of navigation and ‌security in the ‌Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible, to which ‌France stands ready to contribute. ⁠I ⁠insisted on the importance of fully respecting the ceasefire, including in Lebanon," he said in a post on X. 

“France gives its full support to the Lebanese authorities, who are the only ones who can decide on Lebanon’s destiny.” 


Pakistani Military Force Arrives in Saudi Arabia Under Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement

The force aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani armed forces. (SPA)
The force aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani armed forces. (SPA)
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Pakistani Military Force Arrives in Saudi Arabia Under Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement

The force aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani armed forces. (SPA)
The force aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani armed forces. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday the arrival of a military force from Pakistan at King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Eastern Sector, acting in accordance with the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement signed between the two countries.

The force, which includes fighter and support aircraft from the Pakistani Air Force, aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani militaries to further support regional and international security and stability.

Riyadh ‌and Islamabad signed a mutual defense pact in September 2025, committing both sides to treat ⁠any aggression against ⁠either country as an attack on both. 


Saudi Foreign Minister, Belgian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Belgian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call with Maxime Prévost, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation, the Saudi Press Agency said on Friday.

During the call, they discussed recent regional developments and the efforts being made to address them.