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Saudi Sports Market Targets SAR84 Bn by 2030

The UK-Saudi Sports Investment & Innovation Forum was held in London on Wednesday (SPA)
The UK-Saudi Sports Investment & Innovation Forum was held in London on Wednesday (SPA)
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Saudi Sports Market Targets SAR84 Bn by 2030

The UK-Saudi Sports Investment & Innovation Forum was held in London on Wednesday (SPA)
The UK-Saudi Sports Investment & Innovation Forum was held in London on Wednesday (SPA)

London has hosted the UK-Saudi Sports Investment & Innovation Forum, bringing together officials from both countries’ sports and investment ministries, along with 100 top industry leaders.

Organized by the Saudi Chambers of Commerce in collaboration with the Saudi British Business Council, the event coincided with the Saudi-British Sustainable Infrastructure Summit.

It showcased Saudi Arabia’s dynamic sports sector advancements driven by Vision 2030 initiatives, establishing it as a global destination for athletes, tournaments, and investments.

Turki Al-Fawzan, CEO of the Saudi Arabian Esports Federation, highlighted that 67% of Saudis have a keen interest in gaming and esports.

Basem Ibrahim, Director of Sports Sector Investment Development at the Ministry of Investment, projected the Kingdom’s sports market to grow from SAR30 billion to SAR84 billion by 2030.

Mohammed Al-Nemer, Deputy Chair of the Saudi British Joint Business Council, noted a 12% annual growth in Saudi Arabia’s sports and entertainment sector between 2018 and 2023, reflecting rising demand for recreational activities.

Participants at the forum explored investment opportunities, technological advancements in sports and esports, sports infrastructure development, and potential partnerships between Saudi Arabia and the UK.

Topics included hosting major sports events, international acquisitions, and enhancing quality of life through sports initiatives.

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Sinner and Swiatek Win ITF World Champion Awards 

Iga Swiatek of Poland waves after defeating Eva Lys of Germany in their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland waves after defeating Eva Lys of Germany in their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP)
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Sinner and Swiatek Win ITF World Champion Awards 

Iga Swiatek of Poland waves after defeating Eva Lys of Germany in their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland waves after defeating Eva Lys of Germany in their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP)

Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek have won the International Tennis Federation’s 2024 world champion awards.

Swiatek edged out Aryna Sabalenka for the women’s singles award in the list announced by the ITF on Monday.

Swiatek won the French Open plus four WTA 1000 titles, an Olympic bronze medal at the Paris Games and also helped Poland to the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals. Sabalenka won the Australian and US Open crowns and finished the year ranked No. 1.

Sinner is the first Italian to win the award. He finished 2024 at No. 1 with a 73-6 win-loss record after winning the Australian and US Open titles, the ATP Finals and leading Italy’s successful defense of the Davis Cup crown.

Sinner and Swiatek were both subject to doping cases last year, which has overshadowed their participation at the Australian Open this month.

The ITF said the world champion awards were selected based on “objective criteria” considering all results but with a special emphasis on Grand Slams, the World Cup of Tennis competitions and the Olympic and Paralympic events.

“Last year was a memorable year for our sport with the staging of the Olympic and Paralympic Games alongside our traditional team events,” ITF President David Haggerty said. “And we see with several of our award winners that representing their country inspired them to even greater achievements in 2024.”