Saudi Games 2024 Torch Arrives in AlUla, Kicks Off National Relay

The torch for the third edition of the Saudi Games 2024 arrived in AlUla on Sunday, September 15, 2024, as part of its national promotional tour ahead of the Kingdom’s largest multisport event. The ceremony, organized in coordination with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, marked a significant milestone in building anticipation for the games, which will be held in Riyadh from October 3 to October 17.

Context and Background

The Saudi Games, launched under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, represent the pinnacle of national athletic competition in the Kingdom. The third edition follows the success of previous games and aligns with Vision 2030 objectives to promote sports, healthy lifestyles, and international sporting excellence. The torch relay, which began its journey across multiple Saudi cities, serves to engage communities nationwide and highlight the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage.

Key Details

The torch was received in AlUla by Ziad AlSuhaibani, Chief Sports Officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla, from Lama Al-Fawzan, a distinguished Saudi athlete who earned a silver medal at the 2018 Arab Women Sports Tournament in Sharjah, UAE, as well as bronze medals at the 2020 Arab Women Sports Tournament and the 2020 Women’s Arab Fencing Championship. Following the handover, the torch was carried by Majed Alkhalifah, a former world number one in karate in 2016. The relay also featured Taekwondo athlete Tarek Hamdi, who has a total of five medals—three bronze, one gold, and one silver—at Al-Mughayra Heritage Sports Village. Additional torchbearers included Judo athlete Issa Majrashi, who has won three medals including two silver and one bronze, and football player Adel Khalaf Al-Anzi of AlUla FC, who helped his team win the 3rd Division League in 2018. The torch’s journey included stops at AlUla’s iconic cultural and tourist sites, showcasing the region’s unique blend of heritage and modernity.

Implications and Impact

The arrival of the torch in AlUla underscores the Saudi Games’ role in uniting the nation through sport while promoting tourism and cultural exchange. AlUla, a key destination under Vision 2030, benefits from increased visibility as a host for national events, attracting both domestic and international attention. The participation of athletes from various disciplines—including Taekwondo, judo, karate, and football—demonstrates the Kingdom’s growing investment in diverse sports and the development of a robust athletic ecosystem. This event also highlights the progress of Saudi women in sports, exemplified by Lama Al-Fawzan’s achievements, reflecting broader societal reforms.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The Saudi Games 2024 torch relay directly supports Vision 2030’s goal of enhancing quality of life through sports and recreation. By engaging communities across the Kingdom, the event fosters national pride and encourages active lifestyles, contributing to the development of a vibrant society. As the torch continues its journey toward Riyadh, it symbolizes Saudi Arabia’s commitment to building a sustainable sporting legacy and strengthening its position as a global hub for athletics and tourism.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Saudi Games 2024?

A1. The Saudi Games 2024 is the third edition of the Kingdom’s largest national multisport event, organized under the auspices of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee to promote athletic excellence and community engagement.

Q2. When and where will the Saudi Games 2024 be held?

A2. The games are scheduled to take place in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, from October 3 to October 17, 2024, bringing together athletes from across the Kingdom.

Q3. Why is the torch relay significant?

A3. The torch relay builds excitement for the games, engages communities across Saudi Arabia, and highlights the nation’s cultural heritage and commitment to sports development.

Q4. Where did the torch arrive on September 15, 2024?

A4. The torch arrived in AlUla, a historic and cultural region in northwestern Saudi Arabia, as part of its national promotional tour before the games.

Q5. Who received the torch in AlUla?

A5. Ziad AlSuhaibani, Chief Sports Officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla, officially received the torch during a ceremony in AlUla.

Q6. Who handed over the torch to Ziad AlSuhaibani?

A6. Lama Al-Fawzan, a Saudi female athlete with multiple medals in Arab and regional competitions, handed over the torch to AlSuhaibani.

Q7. What are Lama Al-Fawzan’s notable achievements?

A7. Lama Al-Fawzan won a silver medal at the 2018 Arab Women Sports Tournament and bronze medals at the 2020 Arab Women Sports Tournament and the 2020 Women’s Arab Fencing Championship.

Q8. Who carried the torch after Al-Fawzan?

A8. Majed Alkhalifah, a former world number one in karate in 2016, carried the torch following the handover ceremony.

Q9. Where did the torch relay begin in AlUla?

A9. The relay began at Al-Mughayra Heritage Sports Village, a site that blends sports with cultural heritage in AlUla.

Q10. Which athlete was featured at Al-Mughayra Heritage Sports Village?

A10. Taekwondo athlete Tarek Hamdi, who has a total of five medals including three bronze, one gold, and one silver, carried the torch at the village.

Q11. What are Issa Majrashi’s achievements in judo?

A11. Judo athlete Issa Majrashi has won three medals in his career, including two silver and one bronze, showcasing his skill in the sport.

Q12. Which football player participated in the torch relay?

A12. Adel Khalaf Al-Anzi, a football player for AlUla FC, participated after helping his team win the 3rd Division League in 2018.

Q13. What cultural sites did the torch visit in AlUla?

A13. The torch tour included stops at AlUla’s major cultural and tourist sites, such as Al-Mughayra Heritage Sports Village, to promote tourism.

Q14. How does the Saudi Games support Vision 2030?

A14. The games enhance quality of life through sports, align with Vision 2030’s goal of fostering a vibrant society, and promote Saudi Arabia as a global sports destination.

Q15. Which organizations are involved in organizing the Saudi Games?

A15. The Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee leads the organization, with support from government ministries and regional authorities like the Royal Commission for AlUla.

Q16. How does the torch relay promote community engagement?

A16. The relay travels to multiple cities and heritage sites, encouraging local participation and showcasing Saudi Arabia’s diverse regions to the public.

Q17. What role does AlUla play in the torch relay?

A17. AlUla serves as a key stop in the relay, highlighting its cultural and tourism significance under Vision 2030 and reinforcing its status as a national sports venue.

Q18. What sports are featured in the Saudi Games?

A18. The games include a wide range of sports such as Taekwondo, judo, karate, football, and fencing, among others, reflecting the Kingdom’s athletic diversity.

Q19. How does the event support Saudi women in sports?

A19. The inclusion of female torchbearers like Lama Al-Fawzan highlights progress in women’s sports, a key aspect of Saudi Arabia’s social reforms under Vision 2030.

Q20. What is the expected impact of the Saudi Games 2024?

A20. The games are expected to boost national pride, encourage healthy lifestyles, and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional leader in sports and tourism.

---