Shaima Al Husseini, Managing Director of the Saudi Federation for Sports for All, has overseen a significant increase in the number of participants in sports regulations and overall physical activity in the Kingdom in recent years.
Whether it is the various community programs established by the federation or the official competitions, we aim to meet the goals set by the National Vision 2023 and the Quality of Life Program to create a more active and healthier society. Efforts to achieve this goal are well underway.
Al Husseini spoke to Arab News about the progress made in recent years.
Arab News: The recently held 2024 Riyadh Marathon saw a record number of runners take part. Tell us what it means to you and Saudi Arabian sport.
Al-Husseini: The massive participation in the 2024 Riyadh Marathon is a testament to the growing importance of sport in Saudi Arabia. This reflects a cultural shift towards accepting physical activity as an integral part of society.
With more than 20,000 participants, a record 60 percent of whom are Saudi nationals, the marathon symbolizes the power of unity that unites people regardless of nationality, gender or background.
The speed of this development is also noteworthy: although this is only the third edition of the event, the 2024 Riyadh Marathon had 20,000 participants. In 2022 he gathered 10,000 runners. This represents a 100% increase in just two years.
This highlights the success of the SFA’s efforts to promote healthier lifestyles, and how sport has become a means to foster inclusivity, promote personal well-being and increase social cohesion within communities. It shows that.
The increase in participation also marks Saudi Arabia as an emerging sporting nation on the world stage, contributing to the country’s reputation and visibility on the international sporting stage.
Are more people participating in the Riyadh Marathon from outside Saudi Arabia?
The Riyadh Marathon is becoming increasingly attractive to participants from outside Saudi Arabia, as the 2024 event will feature a diverse group of runners from 125 countries.
This trend highlights the marathon’s growing international recognition and appeal as a premier sporting event. The event has been World Athletics’ elite label road race since its inception, and the elite male and female runners who have won the top prize include those from Morocco, Ethiopia and Kenya.
The influx of international participants not only enriches the overall experience but also fosters cultural exchange and global engagement. This is a positive reflection of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to establish itself as a sports tourism hub and highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to hosting world-class sporting events with global resonance. .
We anticipate further increases in international participation in the coming years as we continue to enhance the overall Marathon experience.
Do shorter runs, such as 10km or 4km, lead to a significant increase in community and family participation?
Offering shorter distance runs such as 10km and 4km family runs increased community and family participation. These events currently attract the most runners of the day.
Short distances accommodate a wide range of participants, including beginners, families, and individuals who are not yet ready for longer distances such as full or half marathons, but who can pave the way for longer distances in the future To do.
By providing options that are accessible and achievable for everyone, we are seeing a surge in participation from both younger and older populations.
These sprints are a 4km race (open to all, children must be accompanied by an adult) and a 10km race (over 17 years old), recognizing that 75% of participants in the event are classified as youth. , not only promotes inclusivity, but also promotes a culture of active living within the home and encourages families to participate in physical activity.
SFA participates in many regional sports and events, but what other participation and participation growth are we seeing across the Kingdom?
We are starting to see an increase across the board. According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) in 2021, 48.2 percent of the resident population engaged in physical activity for at least 30 minutes per week, and 29.7 percent engaged in physical activity for at least 150 minutes.
These figures represent a commendable increase of 3.2 and 9.7 percentage points, respectively, compared to 2019.
And we’re seeing increases across a variety of subject areas. Membership in our own youth activities is growing, with membership in 45 neighborhood clubs exceeding 43,000 members, 55 percent men and 45 percent women.
Women’s participation in 30 minutes of physical activity per week increased from less than 16 percent in 2018 to more than 40 percent in 2022.
SFA’s goals are guided by Vision 2030 and the Quality of Life Program. How have you seen your journey towards these goals since joining SFA in 2019?
We feel we have made great progress since joining SFA. The drive towards a healthier and more active population has been marked by notable achievements, including increased participation in physical activity across the Kingdom.
Through targeted initiatives, strategic partnerships and innovative programs, we have successfully encouraged different segments of society, from youth to adults, to adopt healthier lifestyles and embrace the benefits of physical activity. I did.
In addition, we go beyond traditional sports and offer a wide range of activities, from local fitness events to cultural festivals, catering to a variety of interests and tastes.
I think we’ve seen a shift in culture that emphasizes health and well-being, with more people incorporating physical activity into their daily lives.
Looking to the future, we remain committed to advancing the goals of Vision 2030 and the Quality of Life Program and driving further progress towards a more vibrant, inclusive and prosperous Saudi society.
Women’s sports have become popular in Saudi Arabia in recent years. Please tell us about the role SFA plays in this.
Women’s sports are also becoming more popular. The 2024 Riyadh Marathon had her 7,295 female participants. This compares to the previous year when in 2023 she had 5,123 people and in 2022 she had 3,297 people. In other words, in two years, the number of women has more than doubled.
SFA has played a pivotal role in the development of women’s sports in Saudi Arabia and has spearheaded efforts to promote inclusivity, empowerment and participation of female athletes. The number of women participating in sports activities is currently 401,810 per year.
In 2023, the number of female members in neighborhood clubs was 19,962 out of a total of 45,935. Her all-female Global Goals World Cup event attracts more than 200 participants, and her Women’s Day event at the SFA Dome attracts more than 190 participants. The total number of women who participated in the first and second stages of her three-part sports program aimed at 35-50 year olds is more than 13,000.
And of the more than 1,700 local sports groups, 120 are led by women.
Through targeted programs and strategic partnerships, we have built a platform for women to pursue their passion for sport, break through barriers and reach their full potential.
One of our landmark initiatives was the establishment of the Women’s Football League in November 2020, which marked an important milestone in the history of women’s sports in Saudi Arabia.
Since then, we have continued to support and expand opportunities for women in a variety of sports, from soccer to running to functional fitness.
Furthermore, our efforts go beyond the field of sport to address broader social issues and promote gender equality through sport. As a result, more women are embracing sport as a path to personal growth and empowerment.
What are SFA’s big plans for the coming months and years?
We will continue to invest in infrastructure, facilities and programs to make sport more accessible to all, develop talent and promote health and wellness, further advancing the Saudi sports landscape. have ambitious plans for
The Riyadh Marathon was followed in March by the all-female Global Goals World Cup, which aims to promote sport and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. And with our successful #MoveYourWorld social media campaign resuming in the summer, SFA Expo returning, and later this year we will be returning to the iF3 Functional Fitness World Championship.
We will continue to develop our app and explore new ways to incorporate data provided by wearables and AI to build incentives and further personalization for our users.
We are also looking at other ways to encourage women, such as creating opportunities for parents and mothers and their children to practice and play together.
