Shaima Al-Husseini, Managing Director of the Saudi National Sports Federation, has witnessed a significant increase in participation in sports regulations and sports activities in the Kingdom over the past few years.
Participation, both in the various community projects developed by the Federation and in official competitions, is well on track to achieve the goals set by the country’s Vision 2023 and Quality of Life plans to build a more vibrant and a healthy society.
Husseini spoke to Arab News about the progress made in recent years.
Arab News: The recent Riyadh Marathon 2024 saw a record number of participants. Tell us what this means for you and sport in Saudi Arabia?
Husseini: The huge turnout for the 2024 Riyadh Marathon is evidence of the growing importance of sport in Saudi Arabia. It reflects a cultural shift towards viewing physical activity as an integral part of our society.
With a record number of over 20,000 participants, 60% of whom were Saudi nationals, the marathon symbolizes a unifying force that brings people together regardless of nationality, gender or background.
The pace of development is also noteworthy as this is only the third edition of the event, but the 2024 Riyadh Marathon has 20,000 runners. In 2022, it attracted 10,000 runners, representing a 100% increase in just two years.
It highlights the success of national football associations in promoting healthier lifestyles and demonstrates that sport has become a tool to promote inclusivity, promote individual well-being and enhance social cohesion within communities.
Additionally, the increased participation showcases Saudi Arabia as an emerging sports nation on the global stage, contributing to the country’s reputation and image on the international sports stage.
Do we see more people from outside Saudi Arabia running the Riyadh Marathon?
The Riyadh Marathon is increasingly attractive to participants from outside Saudi Arabia, as evidenced by the diversity of runners from 125 countries in the 2024 event.
This trend highlights the marathon’s growing international recognition and appeal as a premier sporting event. This event has been a World Athletics elite tag road race from the beginning and if you look at the elite men and women who have won the top cash prizes, they are from Morocco, Ethiopia and Kenya.
The influx of international participants not only enriches the overall experience but also promotes cultural exchange and global engagement. It positively reflects Saudi Arabia’s efforts to position itself as a sports tourism hub and underlines its commitment to hosting world-class sporting events that resonate globally.
We expect international participation to grow further in the coming years as we continue to enhance the overall marathon experience.
Will shorter running events such as 10km and 4km significantly increase local community and family participation?
Providing shorter distance runs such as 10km and 4km family runs helps to increase engagement with local communities and families. These events currently attract the most runners of the day.
The shorter distances cater to a wider range of participants, including beginners, families and individuals who may not be ready for longer distances such as a full or half marathon, but can pave the way for longer distances in the future.
By providing options that are easily accessible and achievable for everyone, we have seen a surge in participation from both younger and older age groups.
These sprint races not only promote inclusivity, with the 4km race (open to all, children accompanied by an adult) and 10km race (17 and over) recognizing that 75% of participants in the event are teenagers, but also foster positive The family life culture encourages family members to participate in sports activities.
The SFA is involved in many community sports and events, what other increases in involvement and engagement are we seeing across the Kingdom?
We’re starting to see growth across the board. According to 2021 data from the General Statistics Office (GASTAT), 48.2% of residents engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes per week, and 29.7% engage in physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week.
These figures represent commendable increases of 3.2 and 9.7 percentage points respectively compared to 2019.
We’re seeing growth across every targeted industry. Our own youth activities are growing in number, with 45 neighborhood clubs with over 43,000 members, 55% male and 45% female.
The proportion of women participating in 30 minutes of physical activity per week will jump from less than 16% in 2018 to more than 40% in 2022.
SFA’s goals are guided by Vision 2030 and the Quality of Life Plan. How have you seen the process of achieving these goals since joining SFA in 2019?
Since joining SFA, I feel we have made significant progress. The progress towards a healthier and more active population has resulted in notable achievements, including increases in participation in physical activity across the country.
Through targeted initiatives, strategic partnerships and innovative programmes, we successfully engage all segments of society – from youth to adults – to adopt healthier lifestyles and enjoy the benefits of physical activity.
Our efforts also extend beyond traditional sports to include a wide range of events from community fitness events to cultural festivals, catering to a variety of interests and preferences.
I think we have witnessed a cultural shift towards health and well-being, with more and more people incorporating physical activity into their daily lives.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to advancing the goals of Vision 2030 and the Quality of Life Plan to move Saudi society further towards a more positive, inclusive and prosperous society.
Women’s sports in Saudi Arabia have been on the rise in recent years. Please tell us about SFA’s role in this.
Women’s sports are on the rise. There are 7,295 female runners in the 2024 Riyadh Marathon. Compared to previous years, there were 5,123 in 2023 and 3,297 in 2022. So within two years, the number of women more than doubled.
The SFA plays a key role in advancing women’s sport in Saudi Arabia, spearheading the drive for inclusion, empowerment and participation of female athletes. Currently, 401,810 women participate in sports annually.
In 2023, our neighborhood clubs had 45,935 members, 19,962 of whom were women. The all-female Global Goals World Cup event attracted over 200 participants and we saw over 190 participants in our SFA Dome for Women’s Day. Our sports program for the 35 to 50 age group is divided into three parts, with more than 13,000 female participants in the first and second phases.
Of more than 1,700 community sports groups, 120 are led by women.
Through targeted programs and strategic partnerships, we create the platform for women to pursue their passion for sport, break down barriers and reach their full potential.
One of our landmark initiatives was the establishment of the Women’s Football League in November 2020, marking an important milestone in the history of women’s sport in the Kingdom.
Since then, we have continued to support and expand opportunities for women in every sport, from football to running to functional fitness.
Additionally, our efforts extend beyond the realm of competition to address broader social challenges and promote gender equality through sport. As a result, we are seeing more and more women embracing sport as an avenue for personal growth and empowerment.
What are the State Forestry Administration’s big plans for the coming months and years?
We have ambitious plans to further improve the Kingdom’s sporting landscape, such as continuing to invest in infrastructure, facilities and projects to make sport more accessible to all, develop talent and promote health and wellness.
Following the Riyadh Marathon, in March we hosted the all-female Global Goals World Cup, an event about sport and promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Then, our effective #MoveYourWorld social media campaign will be back in the summer, our SFA Expo will be back and we will definitely be participating in the iF3 Functional Fitness World Championships again later this year.
We will continue to develop our applications and explore new ways to integrate data provided by wearables and artificial intelligence to continue to build incentives and more personalization for users.
We are also looking at other ways to inspire women and create opportunities for parents, mothers and children to practice or play together.