The Ministry of Sport is the entity tasked with regulating the sports sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is responsible for providing modern facilities to expand the base of sports practitioners. Its responsibility includes achieving local and global excellence in terms of the sports sector in the Kingdom.
History of sports activity in Saudi Arabia
The beginning of sports activities in the Kingdom dates back to the first decision to establish a department responsible for sports in 1952. It was affiliated with the Ministry of Interior, after which the sector witnessed quantum leaps in its infrastructure to reach a national presence in Arab and international competitions. In 1954, a new department named the Department of Physical and Social Education was established, until 1964, when the Council of Ministers issued a resolution to establish the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW). On May 07, 2016, a Royal Order was issued to change the name of the Presidency to the General Sports Authority.
Establishment of the Ministry of Sport
The Ministry of Sport was established in 2020. It was previously known as the General Sports Authority, and before that as the General Presidency of Youth Welfare. The ministry is one of the three newly established ministries in the Kingdom, as it was established along with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Investment.
The ministry manages most of its affairs from its headquarters in the capital, Riyadh. The Minister of Sport is appointed by a Royal Order. He is primarily responsible for the ministry and is a member of the Council of Ministers.
Federations and affiliates
The Ministry of Sport, in coordination with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, oversees the activities of approximately ninety-seven sports federations, committees, and associations. It is also responsible for supervising around 195 sports clubs with various levels and activities
Several entities are affiliated with the ministry, including the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the Saudi Professional League. Furthermore, it implements the Community Engagement Program in sports and physical activities.
The ministry monitors several sports facilities, including four sports stadiums, seventeen sports cities, and three indoor sports halls, in addition to twenty-two youth centers distributed across twenty-two cities.
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