عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Saudi Ministry of Sport to Support NEOM’s Aim to Become Global Sports Hub

The Saudi Ministry of Sport signed an MoU with NEOM to support its plan to become a world-leading destination for sports. (NEOM)
The Saudi Ministry of Sport signed an MoU with NEOM to support its plan to become a world-leading destination for sports. (NEOM)
TT
TT

Saudi Ministry of Sport to Support NEOM’s Aim to Become Global Sports Hub

The Saudi Ministry of Sport signed an MoU with NEOM to support its plan to become a world-leading destination for sports. (NEOM)
The Saudi Ministry of Sport signed an MoU with NEOM to support its plan to become a world-leading destination for sports. (NEOM)

The Saudi Ministry of Sport signed on Monday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NEOM to support its plan to become a world-leading destination for sports.

The agreement was signed by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport, and Nadhmi Al Nasr, CEO of NEOM, in the presence of Abdul Ilah bin Saad Al-Dalak, Assistant Minister of Sports, and Jan Paterson, Sector Head of Sport at NEOM.

The partnership will enable NEOM to deliver its strategic objectives and align with the Ministry of Sports’ vision through building an active society, the advancement of youth and women in sport and the creation of job opportunities in the sector, read a statement by NEOM. The agreement also includes cooperation between the two parties in Formula E in line with NEOM’s vision for sustainable sports.

The MoU comes as the Ministry of Sport seeks to develop the sector in the Kingdom in line with Saudi Vision 2030. It is also aligned with NEOM’s aim to become a global center for sports that provides an environment for athletes to excel while also offering exceptional livability. It also contributes to growth, innovation and economic prosperity in the sector.

Commenting on the cooperation, Prince Abdulaziz said: “We are pleased to sign this memorandum with NEOM as we aim from this fruitful cooperation to contribute to the development of this vital and important sector, and to open the way for all parties and companies to share their capabilities to elevate the sports industry, and to create the appropriate environment for athletes from our dear country to become the ambassadors of their country in international and regional forums.

“The sports sector in the Kingdom enjoys unprecedented support from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense - and we - in the Ministry of Sport, are working hard and continuously to develop this vital and important sector, which targets a large segment of the young men and women of this dear country, in line with the objectives of The Kingdom’s Vision 2030, and we will move forward to achieve these goals, with the combined efforts of all relevant authorities and stakeholders.”

Al Nasr said: “We are pleased to cooperate with the Ministry to create a vibrant and active living environment capable of attracting the best talent and minds from around the world. This is one of the priorities of the project, given that sport is of great importance, as one of the key components of NEOM societies.

“Sports investment in the Kingdom is growing significantly and tangibly to become one of the most lucrative and innovative sectors in the world, and this forms an important aspect of NEOM’s strategy to create promising sectors and build a solid economy.

“This memorandum will allow exploring all possible opportunities and building sports entities that contribute to empowering Saudi youth and residents of NEOM, so that sports will be a source of inspiration for them. We at NEOM are working to provide the most advanced sports facilities by attracting unprecedented investments in the field, hosting the most important sporting events, teams and athletes from all over the world, and attracting global industry leaders.”

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

2 Sailors Die in the Stormy First Night of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Organizers Say

Spectators at North Head watch yachts compete during the start of the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Boxing Day at Sydney Harbor on December 26, 2024. (AFP)
Spectators at North Head watch yachts compete during the start of the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Boxing Day at Sydney Harbor on December 26, 2024. (AFP)
TT
TT

2 Sailors Die in the Stormy First Night of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Organizers Say

Spectators at North Head watch yachts compete during the start of the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Boxing Day at Sydney Harbor on December 26, 2024. (AFP)
Spectators at North Head watch yachts compete during the start of the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Boxing Day at Sydney Harbor on December 26, 2024. (AFP)

Two sailors on separate boats have been killed in boom accidents two hours apart on a storm-ravaged first night of the annual Sydney to Hobart race, adding to the event's long history of deaths at sea.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Sydney, which administers the yacht race, said Friday that one sailor each on entrants Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline were killed after being struck by the boom, a large horizontal pole at the bottom of the sail.

New South Wales Police Superintendent Joe McNulty identified the two dead sailors as a 55-year-old man from Western Australia (on Flying Fish Arctos) and a 65-year-old man from South Australia (on Bowline).

He said the crews on both boats, which had been seized by police for evidence, were "doing it pretty tough at the moment."

"We’ve got police getting talking to them, doctors and counselling. They’re assisting with our inquiries. They are shaken up by what they’ve seen ... and they didn’t give up."

Officials later said a sailor was washed overboard on another boat, but was rescued. That crew member was from Hobart yacht Porco Rosso, and he drifted a kilometer from the yacht before being rescued.

The incident triggered the crew member’s emergency position-indicating radio beacon, a safety device that must be worn by all sailors in the race.

"That is one of the most terrifying experiences that you can have," said David Jacobs, vice-commodore of the CYCA. "(And) it was at night, which makes it tenfold more scary."

The deaths come 26 years after six sailors were killed in storms during the 1998 running of the race, which triggered a state coronial inquest and mass reforms to the safety protocols — including the radio beacon on all sailors — that govern the race. There have been 13 fatalities in the 79-year history of the race, with four of those deaths resulting from sailor heart attacks.

The fleet was continuing its passage to Constitution Dock in Hobart, Tasmania, with the first boats expected to arrive early Saturday morning. The race is 628 nautical miles (722 miles, 1,160 kilometers) long.

Jacobs reiterated the race would "absolutely" continue.

"The conditions are challenging, but they’re not excessive," he said. "So we’ve got sort of winds at about 25 knots coming from the north seas around about two meters or thereabouts, so the conditions that most of the sailors would normally easily handle."

"The sailing community is a very close community. There’s about a thousand sailors on the water in this race, and to lose two in this fashion is just devastating."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the sailors who died.

"We have sadly awoken to tragedy in the Sydney to Hobart with the awful news that two sailors have lost their lives," he said. "Our thoughts are with the crews, their families and loved ones at this deeply sad time."

The incident aboard Flying Fish Arctos occurred around 30 nautical miles east-southeast of Ulladulla on the New South Wales south coast. Crew members attempted CPR but could not revive their teammate.

The crew member aboard Bowline was struck approximately 30 nautical miles east/north-east of Batemans Bay and fell unconscious, with CPR also unsuccessful.

"As these incidents are being dealt with by the Water Police and all family members are yet to be contacted, we cannot provide further details at this stage," the CYCA said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the crews, family and friends of the deceased."

The first all-Filipino crew of 15 sailors was entered in the 2024 race, but was among the retirements because of the weather. With veteran sailor Ernesto Echauz at the helm, Centennial 7 was one of six international entrants and includes sailors from the Philippines’ national team and the Philippines navy.

Last year, LawConnect won line honors after holding off defending champion Comanche by less than a minute in an exciting finish between the super maxis. LawConnect, which was runner-up in the last three editions of the race, finished in 1 day, 19 hours, 3 minutes, 58 seconds. Comanche’s time was 1 day, 19 hours, 4 minutes, 49 seconds — a margin of just 51 seconds.

Comanche, which was among the retirements in this year's race, holds the race record of 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes, 24 seconds, set when it won in 2017.

Nearly 26 hours into the race, 85 entrants were still sailing and 19 yachts had retired at sea or in port.

LawConnect, which led out of Sydney Harbor on Thursday, was ahead in the race but still had about 150 nautical miles before reaching Hobart. It could mean an overnight finish for the leading yachts early Saturday. Celestial V70 was in second place, about 20 nautical miles behind LawConnect.