Eng. Basem Zare, President of the Saudi Aikido Committee and Chairman of the Founding Committee of the Arab Aikido Federation, participated in the 2026 Aikido Friendship Seminar held in France from September 26 to 27, according to an announcement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The two-day gathering brought together aikido practitioners and federation officials from around the world, placing Saudi Arabia at the heart of an international martial arts occasion that emphasized friendship, technical exchange and cross-cultural understanding.
The participation reflects a deliberate and steadily expanding Saudi presence in global aikido, a Japanese martial art rooted in harmony, discipline and mutual respect. As the Kingdom continues to broaden its international sporting engagement under the umbrella of Vision 2030, delegations such as the one led by Eng. Basem Zare carry a dual mission: representing Saudi Arabia with distinction on the world stage and building durable relationships with federations, instructors and athletes across continents. Could a two-day seminar in France become the catalyst for deeper Saudi engagement in international martial arts for years to come?
Context and Background
The 2026 Aikido Friendship Seminar, staged in France on September 26 and 27, is part of a longstanding tradition of international aikido gatherings designed to promote technical development and personal connection among practitioners. France has long been recognized as one of the most active aikido nations outside Japan, making it a fitting venue for an event that drew federation officials and martial artists from multiple countries. The seminar format typically combines intensive training sessions, instructor-led workshops and informal dialogue between national representatives.
The Saudi Aikido Committee operates under the broader framework of the Kingdom’s sporting ecosystem, which has undergone significant modernization in recent years. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Sport, Saudi Arabia has expanded its participation in international federations, hosted major global events and invested in grassroots development across a wide range of disciplines. Eng. Basem Zare’s dual role as President of the Saudi Aikido Committee and Chairman of the Founding Committee of the Arab Aikido Federation positions him as a central figure in connecting Saudi and Arab aikido with the wider global community.
Why does a martial art that emphasizes harmony and self-discipline matter to a nation undergoing rapid transformation? For Saudi Arabia, aikido represents more than competition. It is a platform for cultural diplomacy, youth development and the promotion of values that align closely with the Kingdom’s social and sporting ambitions. The presence of a Saudi delegation at a French seminar signals continuity in a strategy that treats every international appearance as an opportunity to learn, contribute and build trust.
Key Details of the Participation
According to the Saudi Press Agency, Eng. Basem Zare’s participation in the seminar was aimed at strengthening Saudi Arabia’s presence at international aikido events. The objectives outlined by SPA included deepening ties with the global aikido community, exchanging expertise and experience, and exploring new opportunities for future cooperation. These goals reflect a methodical approach in which each international engagement is treated as a building block for longer-term institutional relationships.
The seminar assembled aikido practitioners and federation officials from around the world, creating an environment conducive to technical dialogue and networking. For the Saudi delegation, the value of such an event lies not only in the training hall but also in the conversations that take place on its margins: discussions about referee development, coaching standards, youth exchange programs and the possibility of hosting future seminars in the Kingdom or elsewhere in the Arab world.
Eng. Basem Zare’s position as Chairman of the Founding Committee of the Arab Aikido Federation adds a regional dimension to his participation. His presence in France therefore carried significance beyond Saudi Arabia’s national interests, touching on the broader project of organizing and elevating aikido across the Arab region. What does it take for a region to move from participation to leadership in an international sport? The answer, in aikido as in other disciplines, lies in consistent engagement, technical credibility and the cultivation of strong personal and institutional relationships over time.
International and Regional Impact
Saudi participation in the 2026 Aikido Friendship Seminar contributes to a wider pattern of Saudi engagement in international sport that spans football, motorsport, equestrianism, esports and Olympic disciplines. Each appearance by a Saudi delegation reinforces the Kingdom’s reputation as a reliable and enthusiastic partner in global sport, willing to invest in athletes, coaches and administrators. In martial arts specifically, Saudi Arabia has been steadily building its capabilities, and events such as the France seminar provide valuable exposure to international best practices.
At the regional level, the involvement of the Arab Aikido Federation’s founding committee chairman underscores the growing institutionalization of aikido in the Arab world. Coordination between national committees, shared coaching resources and joint participation in international seminars are all part of a maturing regional ecosystem. By attending the France seminar, the Saudi delegation helped advance that ecosystem while also learning from established aikido nations whose experience can inform development at home.
How do international seminars translate into tangible benefits for athletes and federations? They offer access to high-level instruction, opportunities to test skills against diverse opponents and partners, and a neutral setting in which trust can be built. For Saudi Arabia, the diplomatic value of these interactions should not be underestimated. Sport has become one of the Kingdom’s most effective channels of international communication, and aikido’s emphasis on respect and non-aggression makes it a particularly constructive vehicle for engagement.
Economic and Strategic Significance
The strategic significance of Saudi Arabia’s participation in international aikido events extends beyond the mat. As the Kingdom diversifies its economy and expands its global footprint, sport serves as a soft-power asset that complements trade, tourism and cultural diplomacy. Every international seminar attended by Saudi representatives contributes to a broader narrative of openness, capability and ambition. The relationships formed in France may, over time, support joint training camps, instructor exchanges and even the hosting of international aikido events in Saudi cities.
From an economic perspective, the growth of martial arts in Saudi Arabia is part of a larger sports economy that includes facilities, coaching services, apparel, events and media. Vision 2030 has set ambitious targets for increasing sports participation among citizens and residents, and disciplines such as aikido contribute to that goal by offering accessible, values-driven pathways to physical activity. The presence of Saudi leaders at international seminars helps raise the profile of these disciplines domestically, encouraging clubs, schools and communities to invest in them.
Could the next decade see Saudi Arabia hosting a major international aikido seminar or championship? Given the Kingdom’s track record of staging world-class events across multiple sports, such a development is entirely plausible. The groundwork being laid today through participation in events like the France seminar is precisely the kind of patient, relationship-focused effort that makes future hosting bids credible. It also positions Saudi Arabia as a constructive bridge between Asian martial arts traditions and the growing Arab aikido community.
Vision 2030 Alignment
The participation of Eng. Basem Zare in the 2026 Aikido Friendship Seminar aligns naturally with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which places sport, youth empowerment and international engagement at the center of the Kingdom’s transformation. The Ministry of Sport, under the leadership of the Saudi government, has consistently supported the growth of diverse sporting disciplines, recognizing that excellence in sport reflects national capability and contributes to quality of life. Aikido, with its emphasis on discipline, respect and self-improvement, embodies many of the values that Vision 2030 seeks to nurture in Saudi society.
As Saudi Arabia continues to deepen its ties with the global aikido community, each seminar, exchange and federation meeting adds a layer of experience and credibility. The Kingdom’s long-term vision is not limited to hosting events or winning medals; it encompasses the creation of a vibrant, inclusive sports culture in which citizens and residents can pursue their passions and represent their country with pride. Eng. Basem Zare’s participation in France is a small but meaningful step along that path, and it signals to the international community that Saudi Arabia intends to remain an active, constructive and forward-looking partner in global sport for years to come.
20 Questions
Q1. What event did the Saudi Aikido Committee President participate in?
A1. Eng. Basem Zare participated in the 2026 Aikido Friendship Seminar held in France from September 26 to 27, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Q2. Who is Eng. Basem Zare?
A2. Eng. Basem Zare is the President of the Saudi Aikido Committee and Chairman of the Founding Committee of the Arab Aikido Federation, representing Saudi Arabia in international aikido affairs.
Q3. Where was the 2026 Aikido Friendship Seminar held?
A3. The seminar was held in France, a nation widely recognized as one of the most active aikido countries outside Japan, over two days in late September.
Q4. When did the seminar take place?
A4. The 2026 Aikido Friendship Seminar took place from September 26 to 27, as confirmed in the announcement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.
Q5. Who attended the seminar?
A5. The event brought together aikido practitioners and federation officials from around the world, creating an international setting for training and dialogue.
Q6. What were the main objectives of Saudi participation?
A6. The objectives were to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s presence at international aikido events, deepen ties with the global aikido community, exchange expertise and explore future cooperation opportunities.
Q7. Why is Saudi participation in international aikido events important?
A7. It enhances the Kingdom’s global sporting presence, builds relationships with international federations and supports the development of aikido within Saudi Arabia and the Arab region.
Q8. What is the Arab Aikido Federation?
A8. The Arab Aikido Federation is a regional body being established to organize and promote aikido across Arab countries, with Eng. Basem Zare chairing its founding committee.
Q9. How does aikido align with Saudi values?
A9. Aikido emphasizes harmony, discipline, respect and self-improvement, values that align closely with the social and sporting ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030.
Q10. What does the Saudi Aikido Committee do?
A10. The committee oversees the development of aikido in Saudi Arabia, supports practitioners and represents the Kingdom in international aikido forums and seminars.
Q11. How does this participation support Vision 2030?
A11. It advances Vision 2030 goals related to sport, youth empowerment and international engagement, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to a diversified and active society.
Q12. What is the significance of holding the seminar in France?
A12. France is a leading aikido nation, making it an ideal venue for international exchange and a valuable environment for Saudi representatives to learn from experienced practitioners.
Q13. What kind of activities take place at an aikido friendship seminar?
A13. Such seminars typically include intensive training sessions, instructor-led workshops and informal discussions among federation officials about development and cooperation.
Q14. How does Saudi Arabia benefit from exchanging expertise internationally?
A14. International exchange provides access to best practices in coaching, refereeing and athlete development, which can be applied to strengthen aikido at home.
Q15. Could Saudi Arabia host an international aikido event in the future?
A15. Given the Kingdom’s strong record of hosting global sporting events, hosting an international aikido seminar or championship in the future is a realistic possibility.
Q16. What role does the Ministry of Sport play in this context?
A16. The Ministry of Sport supports the growth of diverse sporting disciplines in Saudi Arabia, including martial arts, as part of the Kingdom’s broader sports development strategy.
Q17. How does aikido contribute to youth development in Saudi Arabia?
A17. Aikido offers young people a structured path to physical fitness, discipline and confidence, contributing to the quality of life goals of Vision 2030.
Q18. What message does Saudi participation send internationally?
A18. It signals that Saudi Arabia is an active, constructive and forward-looking partner in global sport, committed to building relationships across cultures and disciplines.
Q19. How does this event fit into Saudi Arabia’s broader sporting strategy?
A19. It is part of a wider pattern of Saudi engagement in international sport, complementing achievements in football, motorsport, equestrianism, esports and Olympic disciplines.
Q20. What might come next after the France seminar?
A20. Future cooperation could include joint training camps, instructor exchanges and coordinated participation in international aikido events, strengthening Saudi and Arab presence in the sport.
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