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
TT

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.



Dutch Leave de Jong, Van Dijk Out of Last Nations League Clash

Netherlands' Teun Koopmeiners (2ndR) is congratulated by teammates Netherlands' defender #04 Virgil van Dijk (R) and Netherlands' forward #09 Wout Weghorst (2ndL) after scoring a goal during the UEFA Nations League football match between the Netherlands and Hungary at the Johan Cruyff ArenA on November 16, 2024 in Amsterdam. (AFP)
Netherlands' Teun Koopmeiners (2ndR) is congratulated by teammates Netherlands' defender #04 Virgil van Dijk (R) and Netherlands' forward #09 Wout Weghorst (2ndL) after scoring a goal during the UEFA Nations League football match between the Netherlands and Hungary at the Johan Cruyff ArenA on November 16, 2024 in Amsterdam. (AFP)
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Dutch Leave de Jong, Van Dijk Out of Last Nations League Clash

Netherlands' Teun Koopmeiners (2ndR) is congratulated by teammates Netherlands' defender #04 Virgil van Dijk (R) and Netherlands' forward #09 Wout Weghorst (2ndL) after scoring a goal during the UEFA Nations League football match between the Netherlands and Hungary at the Johan Cruyff ArenA on November 16, 2024 in Amsterdam. (AFP)
Netherlands' Teun Koopmeiners (2ndR) is congratulated by teammates Netherlands' defender #04 Virgil van Dijk (R) and Netherlands' forward #09 Wout Weghorst (2ndL) after scoring a goal during the UEFA Nations League football match between the Netherlands and Hungary at the Johan Cruyff ArenA on November 16, 2024 in Amsterdam. (AFP)

Captain Virgil van Dijk and midfielder Frenkie de Jong have both been released from international duty this week and will not travel for the Netherlands' last Nations League group game against Bosnia & Herzegovina, coach Ronald Koeman said.

"For both Frenkie and Virgil, it is better for them to leave the training camp at this time," Koeman said in a statement on Monday.

"That decision was made on medical grounds, with the interests of the players paramount, of course."

The Dutch will not call up any replacements with Koeman still able to pick from 23 players for Tuesday's Group A3 clash in Zenica.

Both De Jong and Van Dijk played in Saturday's 4-0 win over Hungary in Amsterdam which secured second place in the group for the Dutch and progress to the Nations League quarter-finals in March.

Van Dijk played the full 90 minutes while De Jong was substituted after 68 minutes.

It was the first game back in the Netherlands national team in 13 months for De Jong, who last season battled with an ankle injury and missed out on the European Championship in Germany this year.

On Saturday, the Barcelona midfielder said he "still needs some time" before finding his form although his return to the Dutch side drew positive reviews.