Saudi Sports Federation And Greek Executives Collaborate To Boost Sports Participation

The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) concluded a visit to Athens, Greece, from May 7 to 10. The visit aimed to exchange expertise, explore international best practices in community sports, and learn about popular sports facilities and effective techniques for promoting sports participation.

The federation delegation, led by Prince Khalid bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Executive Director Shaima Saleh Al-Husseini, met with the Greek Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, Jiannis Frutis, and the Secretary General for Sports Affairs, George Mavrotas. Discussions covered governance, the role of sports in promoting mental health and quality of life, and the unveiling of the "Kouros" platform.

The "Kouros" platform is a unique digital tool that tracks sports participation and performance data. This platform aids in data-driven decision-making and talent development across 63 federations. The Greek team also reviewed financial incentives for sports clubs and innovative community sports programs.

The delegation also met with the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, and his team to discuss the importance of community sports policies and initiatives. The Greek side highlighted efforts to reduce car usage and encourage cycling and other means of transportation.

Plans for international events, including the "Tour of Hellas," were discussed to activate cycling trails and promote cultural exchanges among community members. On the last day of the visit, the SFA delegation toured the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, the Peace and Friendship Stadium, and the Athens Olympic Museum.

These visits aimed to explore and transfer international best practices to the Kingdom. The SFA's efforts reflect a commitment to enhancing community sports in Saudi Arabia by learning from global examples.

With inputs from SPA