Turki Al al-Sheikh

Turki Abdulmohsen Al al-Sheikh (born in 1981) is an advisor to the Saudi Royal Court at the rank of minister. He has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority since 2018. He is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Sport Authority which was later converted into the Ministry of Sport.

Turki Al al-Sheikh was born on August 4, 1981, in Riyadh City. He received his general education in public schools, where he enrolled in primary education at al-Arqam Primary School in Riyadh City. He completed his intermediate and secondary education at the schools of the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh. He studied at King Fahd Security College and graduated in 2001 with the rank of lieutenant. He worked in several sectors of the Ministry of Interior, including supply, public relations, and international relations and cooperation, before he moved to work in the Emirate of Riyadh Province, then with the Ministry of Defense between 2011 and 2015, and finally with the Saudi Royal Court, where he worked as an advisor under the excellent rank. Aside from the military, he paid special attention to arts and football.

Turki Al al-Sheikh assumed several positions throughout his career. On September 6, 2017, he was appointed by Royal Decree to the chairmanship of the Board of Directors of the General Sport Authority (currently the Ministry of Sport). He assumed this position until December 27, 2018. He was also acclaimed President of the Union of Arab Football Associations from 2017 to 2021. However, he resigned in 2019.

He joined the Board of Directors of the Saudi Chess Federation in recognition of his efforts to develop this sport. On May 15, 2023, the Afro-Asian Chess Federation (AACA) announced his appointment as an honorary president of the federation.

During his chairmanship of the General Sport Authority, sport federations for sport that previously had no federations or associations were established. Moreover, the league system was modified. The name of the "Jamil League" of the premier clubs' football league was changed into the "Saudi Pro League." Moreover, the Saudi Crown Prince Cup was canceled and its name was assigned to the game between the league champion and the champion of the King's Cup (Super Cup). Furthermore, the participation of seven foreign players and one naturalized player was approved. The number of teams playing in the league was increased to sixteen teams. A charter of honor regulating the relationship between Saudi clubs was elaborated, where the charter relates to the players' transfer between clubs, paying off the clubs' debt, attracting major leagues and clubs to play in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and sending Saudi players to play in international clubs. Saudi Arabia also succeeded at realizing sport achievements within the framework of international tournaments.

Turki Al al-Sheikh held shares in the Egyptian Pyramids FC. He later invested in the Spanish UD Almería Club and achieved positive outcomes with both clubs.

On December 27, 2018, Turki Al al-Sheikh assumed the chairmanship of the Board of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority. Since then, the sector has witnessed a transformation covering all its aspects. Several local and international events were launched in Saudi Arabia for the first time during this period. These events include the National Day celebrations and Riyadh Season. Moreover, Around the Kingdom event was held, "Otr Elkalam," the international Holy Quran and Adhan competition was launched, and the "Comedy Factory" initiative, aimed to discover and support young Saudi talents in comedy and theater, was also launched.

Turki Al al-Sheikh released his first novel titled "Cello," which he signed at the Riyadh International Book Fair in 2021. It was sold at a symbolic price (of USD1 or as equivalent in other currencies) in support of culture and literature in Saudi Arabia and the world.

Throughout his career, Turki Al al-Sheikh was awarded several titles and awards, including the "Most Influential Personality in Arab Football" in 2017, the "Arab Sport Personality of the Year" in 2017, the "Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award for the category of Arab Sports Personality" in 2018, and the "Oscar for Sports Leadership Personality" in 2018, awarded by the Arab Sports Culture Association. According to the ranking of the British newspaper, The Independent, Al al-Sheikh topped the list of the fifty most influential figures in the world of boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2024.

On September 13, 2024, Turki Al al-Sheikh topped ESPN's list as the most influential figures in MMA and professional wrestling.

On December 10, 2024, he was awarded the title of "Man of the Year" by the World Boxing Council (WBC) in recognition of his contributions to the development and spread of wrestling worldwide.

On November 22, 2024, he was awarded the title of the “Most Influential Personality of the Decade” during the MENA Effie Awards 2024 ceremony, held as part of Riyadh Season 2024.

On December 26, 2024, Turki Al al-Sheikh topped the list of Sports Illustrated, one of the most notable sport magazines in the United States of America, of the 2024 Most Influential Figures in the World of Wrestling.