The Saudi Arabian Equestrian and Polo Federations were merged under the chairmanship of Abdullah bin Fahd
The Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee issued an official announcement confirming that His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Committee, has approved a strategic decision to merge the Saudi Polo Federation and the Saudi Equestrian Federation into a single sports entity. The new entity will be named the "Saudi Equestrian and Polo Federation," and His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin Fahd bin Abdullah has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the new federation.
Decision motives and governance objectives
This structural transformation comes in accordance with the completion of all approved regulatory requirements and procedures, and within the framework of strengthening corporate governance adopted by the sports system in the Kingdom. Through this step, the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee seeks to achieve a number of strategic objectives, foremost among them enhancing the financial sustainability of sports federations and raising the efficiency of administrative and technical performance. This merger is a pivotal step towards unifying efforts in equestrian sports, thus facilitating management and operations and reducing duplication of roles.
The context of the vision and the status of Saudi equestrianism
This decision cannot be separated from the broader context of the sporting renaissance underway in Saudi Arabia under the umbrella of Vision 2030, which prioritizes the sports sector as a vital contributor to quality of life and the national economy. Equestrian sports hold a deep historical and cultural significance in the Saudi consciousness, with the Kingdom having achieved global and Olympic successes in show jumping and other disciplines. The inclusion of polo, a sport considered prestigious and elite, under the umbrella of the Equestrian Federation will enhance its opportunities for growth and development, leveraging the Federation's accumulated expertise and robust infrastructure.
Expected impact and future of athletes
The merger aims directly to support, develop, and organize these Olympic and Paralympic sports across the Kingdom. This decision is expected to contribute to the integration of technical and administrative efforts, positively impacting player and rider training programs. The decision places the interests of athletes and their technical and organizational needs at the heart of the sports system's priorities. Polo and equestrian practitioners will benefit from unified resources, advanced training plans, and joint training camps, enhancing their chances of competing for regional and international titles and solidifying the Kingdom's position as a global destination for equestrian sports.
