Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA), Managing Director Shaima Al-Husseini, participated in a panel discussion at the Misk Global Forum 2022 organized by the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. The event was attended by Misk Global Forum Young Leaders, innovators, and thinkers exploring and experimenting innovative ways to lead change and make an impact.
During her participation in the panel discussion, Shaima Al-Husseini revealed the Federation’s strategy to achieve its objectives of building a healthy and physically active society. She shared that part of the strategy includes building six new sports facilities with 30-40 courts that will offer more than ten sports activities and attract more than 250,000 participants in the first year.
“The SFA has not only launched sports activities and events but has also encouraged various sectors of society to organize sports programs that encourage physical activity and promote a healthy lifestyle. The Federation has come a long way since its establishment in 2018 in forming partnerships to support its ambitious objectives. Our plans for the coming five years are to continue bringing initiatives that help us build a healthy society and encourage community participation in sports and physical activity,” said Ms. Al-Husseini.
She added: “The success of the Riyadh marathon held in March 2022 is a good example of how our initiatives encourage mass participation in physical activity. The event attracted thousands of participants from more than 100 nationalities, helping transform the Kingdom into a global sports destination.”
Ms. Al-Husseini further shared that the Federation has conducted an opinion poll which revealed that 41 percent of Saudi society raised the lack of sports facilities within their vicinity, which creates a challenge for them to participate in sports and physical activity. The poll further revealed that many women have difficulty accessing indoor sports facilities. She emphasized that the Federation continues to solve these challenges by investing in facilities that enable people to participate in sports and physical activity. She also noted that the Federation provides interactive experiences for young people inside and outside school to practice sports, building the foundations of physical activity habits and supporting the participation of women who represent half of Saudi society in sports programs.
Misk Global Forum 2022, organized by the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk), has attracted many speakers, leaders, and thinkers focusing on the central theme: “Generation of Change.” This year’s forum coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Misk establishment. The forum seeks to raise awareness of values and goals shared by different generations.
