PIF Establishes SRJ Sports Investments Company to Elevate Sports Sector in Saudi Arabia, MENA

The Public Investment Fund announced the establishment of SRJ Sports Investments. (SPA)
The Public Investment Fund announced the establishment of SRJ Sports Investments. (SPA)
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PIF Establishes SRJ Sports Investments Company to Elevate Sports Sector in Saudi Arabia, MENA

The Public Investment Fund announced the establishment of SRJ Sports Investments. (SPA)
The Public Investment Fund announced the establishment of SRJ Sports Investments. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced on Sunday the establishment of SRJ Sports Investments, a sports investment company that aims to accelerate the growth of the sports sector in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East and North Africa region.

SRJ Sports Investments will invest in acquiring and creating new sports events IP, commercial rights of popular and prominent sports competitions and hosting major global events in Saudi Arabia. These investments are expected to deliver financial returns and localize partnerships domestically and in the MENA region.

The new company will target businesses specialized in offering unique fan engagement activities and transformative sports technology across the industry, bolstering Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment destinations.

Head of MENA Direct Investments at PIF Raid Ismail said: “We are thrilled to announce the establishment of SRJ Sports Investments Company to accelerate the growth of the sports sector in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region, by creating and investing in international sports IP, enhancing the fan experience through hosting major global events and investing in transformative technologies.”

“The company will complement other PIF investments in the sports sector, all of which are contributing to a more vibrant society, in line with PIF’s strategy and Saudi Vision 2030,” he added.

As a long-term investor, the entertainment, leisure, and sports sector is one of PIF’s 13 priority sectors for investment.



Olympics-Boxing-Algerian Khelif Advances after Italy's Carini Abandons Fight

Paris 2024 Olympics - Boxing - Women's 66kg - Prelims - Round of 16 - North Paris Arena, Villepinte, France - August 01, 2024. Imane Khelif of Algeria and Angela Carini of Italy react after their fight. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes Purchase Licensing Rights
Paris 2024 Olympics - Boxing - Women's 66kg - Prelims - Round of 16 - North Paris Arena, Villepinte, France - August 01, 2024. Imane Khelif of Algeria and Angela Carini of Italy react after their fight. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes Purchase Licensing Rights
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Olympics-Boxing-Algerian Khelif Advances after Italy's Carini Abandons Fight

Paris 2024 Olympics - Boxing - Women's 66kg - Prelims - Round of 16 - North Paris Arena, Villepinte, France - August 01, 2024. Imane Khelif of Algeria and Angela Carini of Italy react after their fight. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes Purchase Licensing Rights
Paris 2024 Olympics - Boxing - Women's 66kg - Prelims - Round of 16 - North Paris Arena, Villepinte, France - August 01, 2024. Imane Khelif of Algeria and Angela Carini of Italy react after their fight. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes Purchase Licensing Rights

Algerian Imane Khelif moved past Angela Carini when the Italian abandoned their welterweight round of 16 fight after 46 seconds in the first round on Thursday.

Khelif has been in the spotlight since she was disqualified just hours before the gold medal match at the 2023 World Championships.

She was ruled eligible, however, to compete in Paris, a competition run by the International Olympic Committee.

Khelif entered the arena amid loud cheers from fans waving Algerian flags and the Italian was no match for her opponent's speed and longer reach.

Carini went to her coach after 30 seconds to fix her headgear but after briefly resuming the fight she returned to her corner and stopped, quickly leaving the ring.

"I have always honored my country with loyalty," Carini said. "This time I didn't succeed because I couldn't fight anymore. So I put an end to the match." She did not immediately say why she had abandoned the contest.