On behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, Vice President of the Committee, is heading the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's delegation participating in the 6th Asian Beach Games. This important continental event is being hosted by the Chinese city of Sanya from April 22 to 30, with the participation of 1,790 athletes representing 45 National Olympic Committees from across Asia.
Historical background and importance of the Asian Beach Games
The Asian Beach Games is a multi-sport event held every four years under the auspices of the Olympic Council of Asia. The inaugural Games took place in Bali, Indonesia, in 2008, with the aim of combining competitive sports with a coastal and cultural atmosphere, thereby promoting sports tourism and strengthening ties between Asian nations. The Games are notable for including non-traditional sports such as beach soccer, beach volleyball, and water skiing, attracting a wide range of athletes and spectators alike.
Saudi participation and its impact on Vision 2030
Prince Fahd bin Jalawi affirmed that the Kingdom's participation in this tournament is a continuation of its distinguished presence in various continental and international sporting events. This participation reflects the significant support and attention the sports sector receives from the wise leadership and the diligent follow-up of His Highness the Minister of Sport. This step aligns with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to raise the level of Saudi sports competitiveness on the global stage, increase the percentage of people participating in sports, and transform the Kingdom into a global sporting destination.
Strategic goals and development for athletes
His Highness added: “Through these participations, we are keen to enhance the presence of Saudi sports on various stages and provide our athletes with the opportunity to gain more competitive experience, which contributes to developing their technical skills and supports our goals of building a more advanced and sustainable sports system.” Such tournaments provide an ideal platform for Saudi athletes to compete against their counterparts from the best levels in the continent, honing their skills and preparing them to participate in larger and more important championships, such as the Asian Games and the Olympic Games.
The Saudi delegation is participating in a number of games included in the program of the tournament, in continuation of the Kingdom’s continuous presence in continental competitions, and in confirmation of the development that various sports are witnessing in the country, and the pursuit of achievements befitting the status of Saudi sports.
