Governor of Mahd inspects Dakar Rally route: Intensive security preparations
As part of ongoing monitoring of major sporting events hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Governor of Al-Mahd, Dr. Salamah bin Eid Al-Rifai, conducted a field visit to inspect the final preparations and readiness of the site designated for the Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia stopover, which falls within the governorate's geographical boundaries. He was accompanied on the inspection tour by the directors of the security and service agencies involved in organizing this global event.
High level of security and organizational readiness
Dr. Al-Rifai reviewed the plans in place to secure the rally route and assembly areas, praising the high level of professionalism in the organization and the proactive security measures taken by the relevant authorities. During his tour, the governor emphasized the need for integrated roles and coordinated efforts among various sectors, particularly the police, traffic department, and civil defense, to ensure the highest levels of safety for the competitors and spectators. He also stressed the importance of ensuring smooth traffic flow on the roads leading to the site, reflecting the governorate's positive image and building upon the Kingdom's successive successes in hosting international events.
Dakar Rally: A tourist and sporting showcase for the Kingdom
The hosting of a stage of this prestigious race in Al-Mahd Governorate comes within the context of the great attention that the wise leadership pays to the sports and tourism sector within the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The Dakar Rally is no longer just a sporting race, but has become a global window that highlights the unique geographical and topographical diversity that the Kingdom enjoys, from vast deserts and towering mountains to extended coasts, which contributes to promoting tourism in the regions and governorates through which the route passes.
The importance of the event and its regional and international impact
This event is of particular importance given the Dakar Rally's status as the world's most famous and challenging off-road endurance race. The race attracts millions of viewers worldwide, placing the regions it traverses, such as Al Mahd Governorate, on the map of international media attention. The event also contributes to boosting the local economy through the logistical and hospitality services provided to participating teams and visitors.
Record numbers and broad global participation
It is worth noting that this year's Dakar Rally is witnessing widespread participation, with more than 800 competitors representing 69 different nationalities, reflecting the global nature of the event. The competitors are taking on the challenge in 433 diverse vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, and light desert vehicles, along a route spanning thousands of kilometers and traversing diverse and challenging terrain across various regions of the Kingdom. This necessitates extensive logistical and security preparations to ensure the success of this unique sporting event.
