The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is progressing in a comprehensive development, in which sports play a relevant role. Represented by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Fasal bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Sports, Saudi Arabia has recently announced its hosting endeavor for the next edition of the 2027 Arab Games Championship. In the following paragraphs, we'll shed light on several questions about the benefits of hosting this essential sports championship and what's behind the tournament preparation.
Saudi Arabia Hosts The 2027 Arab Games
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Saudi's Minister of Sports and Chairman of the Arab National Olympic Committee, revealed that the Kingdom will host the next edition of the Arab Games. His announcement came at the end of the 2023 Arab Games hosted in Algeria to highlight the great support that the tournament has had from Saudi Arabia, especially from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia applied to host the next edition of the Games at the General Assembly meeting of the tournament in Algeria. Saudi's request received approval by the Assembly and the flag of the Olympic Committees for hosting the next tournament. For the occasion, Prince Abdulaziz welcomed all Arab delegations to participate in the next edition of the Arab Games.
Saudi's Quick Development In Sports
Sports in Saudi Arabia have witnessed massive development through the support of the Saudi government in the sports industry, which translated into billions of dollars allocated by the Saudi Investment Fund for sports at all levels. Today's deep transformation of the Saudi Premier League, the Roshen, encouraged the growth of sports betting in the Kingdom. Before, sports betting wasn't as popular and practiced as it is nowadays. On the other hand, sports betting has helped the Saudi League increase in popularity among fans.
Saudi investments aren't limited to football only but extend to all existing sports and even e-sports. In particular, e-sports have cost over than ten billion dollars to Saudi Arabia in the past few months. The aim is to develop e-sports and create a specific segment in Saudi, as well.
Quick Overview Of The Arab Games
The first edition of the Arab Games took place in 1953 in Alexandria, Egypt, when eight countries competed in ten games. The second edition was hosted in 1957 by Lebanon in Beirut. From then to the present day, the tournament has been growing, including more countries. Because of some instability after the fifties and sixties of the last century, the Arab Games were played in only 16 editions, the last of which was in Algeria in 2023.
The Committee for this tournament is trying to break with the past by organizing the Arab Games regularly, once in four years.
Jordan holds the highest number of participants in the Arab Games, with 13 athletes. Egypt can boast an unparalleled position for the highest number of medal winners: 1,422 medals, of which 621 gold medals. Egypt's closest competitor, Syria, won 789 total medals.
The 2023 Arab Games
Prince Abdulaziz has expressed his appreciation of Algeria's organization for the tournament. The hosting country of the 2023 Arab Games showed great problem-solving ideas, focus on details, precise completion of the required tasks, and beautifully designed opening and closing ceremonies, which inspired the Crown Prince to offer all Arab sports fans a special version of the next tournament in 2027.
Algeria hosted the tournament in five cities, Algiers, Oran, Constantine, Annaba, and Tipaza, from July 5 to 15. The tournament included 20 games with the participation of 22 countries, of which Algeria won the highest number of medals, 253 (105 gold medals, 76 silver medals, and 72 bronze medals). Tunisia earned a second position with 121 total medals, while Morocco ended third with 84 medals. Only Comoros, Djibouti, Lebanon, and Somalia didn't win any medals.
Saudi Arabia's Focus On Hosting Sports Events
Saudi's role in the Arab world ensures the Kingdom a regional leadership in several fields, such as economy, tourism, and even sports. That's why the Crown Prince announced his great interest in organizing the Arab Games. Saudi Arabia wishes to accept all challenges to participate in the organization and hosting of the major sports event of history. As the impeccable organization of the Arab Club Championship showed, the Kingdom is ready to prepare for hosting the Club World Cup for the first time.
Saudi Arabia is also actively participating in organizing more sports events, including regular sports and e-sports. However, the ultimate goal of the country is to host the World Cup one day, for which Saudi was planning to apply as a hosting country for the tournament in 2030 but had to postpone the application to the 2034 edition to allow the organization to focus on the 2027 Arab Games and make the next edition of this tournament become the most memorable and unparalleled in history.
Source for our article at https://www.arabicbet.org/blogs/saudi-arabia-hosting-arab-olympics-2027.