Saudi Ministries of Sport, Investment Announce Launch of Sport Investment Forum

The forum is scheduled to take place from April 7 to 9, 2025, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. SPA
The forum is scheduled to take place from April 7 to 9, 2025, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi Ministries of Sport, Investment Announce Launch of Sport Investment Forum

The forum is scheduled to take place from April 7 to 9, 2025, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. SPA
The forum is scheduled to take place from April 7 to 9, 2025, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. SPA

The Saudi ministries of sport and investment have announced the launch of the Sports Investment Forum (SIF) under the theme "Ambitious Sports Investment."

The forum is scheduled to take place from April 7 to 9, 2025, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. It will feature a distinguished lineup of international and local speakers, as well as leaders in the sports sector from both regional and international levels, reflecting its status as the largest global gathering for sports investment.

The announcement was made during the forum’s launch event, held on Sunday at the Ministry of Investment headquarters. The event was attended by Ministry of Sport Undersecretary for Media and Marketing Adel Al-Zahrani and Ministry of Investment Undersecretary for Investment Sector Development Mohammed Al-Sahib, alongside other officials from both ministries.

The SIF aims to expand investment opportunities in the sports sector and highlight promising ventures in related fields. It will feature several high-level keynote sessions, with extensive participation from private sector stakeholders and international entities. Representatives from global sports federations will also attend, creating a platform to propose innovative ideas, address challenges in the sports sector, and focus on enhancing sustainability while developing investment opportunities in sports.

As part of the forum's efforts to attract investments, establish global headquarters, and foster partnerships, it will announce several significant agreements and collaborations expected to contribute to the development of sports infrastructure and the promotion of investment activities in the sector.



Marquinhos Asks Brazil Fans to Keep the Faith

Brazil's player Marquinhos gestures during a press conference following a training of the Brazil national football team at the Manuel Barradas stadium in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil, on November 17, 2024, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match against Uruguay. (AFP)
Brazil's player Marquinhos gestures during a press conference following a training of the Brazil national football team at the Manuel Barradas stadium in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil, on November 17, 2024, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match against Uruguay. (AFP)
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Marquinhos Asks Brazil Fans to Keep the Faith

Brazil's player Marquinhos gestures during a press conference following a training of the Brazil national football team at the Manuel Barradas stadium in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil, on November 17, 2024, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match against Uruguay. (AFP)
Brazil's player Marquinhos gestures during a press conference following a training of the Brazil national football team at the Manuel Barradas stadium in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil, on November 17, 2024, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match against Uruguay. (AFP)

Five-times World Cup winners Brazil have struggled to impress in South America's qualifiers for the 2026 tournament but defender Marquinhos had called on fans to stick by the side ahead of Tuesday's home game against Uruguay.

With a run of five wins, four losses and two draws, Brazil are fourth in the standings on 17 points, five behind leaders Argentina, with the top six qualifying automatically for the World Cup in North America. Uruguay are second on 19 points.

Brazil were held 1-1 in Venezuela on Thursday, with Vinicius Jr seeing a late penalty saved, and stand-in skipper Marquinhos said the players still took pride in playing for the shirt even when results did not go their way.

"Even though many things might cause people to lose hope in the national team, we ask that they never lose their passion for it," the 30-year-old told a news conference on Sunday.

Brazil, who were beaten by Uruguay in Montevideo last year, are in a transitional phase under head coach Dorival Junior and it will take some time to iron out the problems, he added.

"We will still make some mistakes because this transition is still very new, with all these changes of players and teams," said Marquinhos, who deputizes for regular captain Danilo.

"But we will make fewer and fewer mistakes and that makes us happy.

"We don't worry too much about the standings as long as we're in a comfortable position. We want to win to move up the table, make the work flow better, and gain confidence."

Brazil go into Tuesday's match without a host of top players with defender Eder Militao and forwards Neymar and Rodrygo among those sidelined due to injury.