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.



Belgian Coach Tedesco Still Believes He’s the Right Man for the Job

 Belgium's head coach Domenico Tedesco waves at the end of the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between Belgium and Italy at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on November 14, 2024. (AFP)
Belgium's head coach Domenico Tedesco waves at the end of the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between Belgium and Italy at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on November 14, 2024. (AFP)
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Belgian Coach Tedesco Still Believes He’s the Right Man for the Job

 Belgium's head coach Domenico Tedesco waves at the end of the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between Belgium and Italy at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on November 14, 2024. (AFP)
Belgium's head coach Domenico Tedesco waves at the end of the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between Belgium and Italy at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on November 14, 2024. (AFP)

Belgium's 1-0 defeat by Israel in the Nations League on Sunday has ramped up the pressure on Domenico Tedesco but the coach still believes he is the right man for the job.

Belgium have won just two of their last 10 internationals and only avoided bottom place in their group, and relegation from the top tier, because of better head-to-head results against the Israelis.

The 39-year-old has come under scrutiny since Belgium's disappointing exit at the European Championship and while the defeat in Budapest on Sunday did little to ease the pressure Tedesco remained positive about his role.

"I trust my qualities. I trust my staff, I trust my players. I trust the people around me. I know how hard I work," he said.

Belgium's timid tactics have been criticized throughout the six-game campaign despite Tedesco promising a more adventurous approach after they limped out to France in the last 16 at Euro 2024 in July.

"After the Euros I told you that we have to change something in some games, we missed intensity, and that we have to try new players because if we don't do it now we will never do it," Tedesco told reporters.

"This campaign was different because of many, many injuries."

Belgium were without a host of key players for their last group game on Sunday and lost the match late on after a horror defensive error from new cap Matte Smets.

"It was a difficult game, difficult circumstances, and it's difficult to say something harsh to this young team," said Tedesco.

"We are better equipped now to go into the next year's World Cup qualifiers."

While his future was the subject of much debate in Belgium after the loss to Israel, Tedesco was not letting it get to him.

"The negative sentiment is nothing new. I was told this is typically Belgian," he added.

"Naturally the results in the Nations League did not help but in March we have a sort of final in the playoffs to keep our place in the A League. It will be good to start the New Year with a strong focus."