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Arab News
a day ago
- Business
- Arab News
The vision architect: Princess Nouf Al-Saud's blueprint for Saudi sport
When Princess Nouf Al-Saud started her role as general manager of marketing at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Sport in 2018, she confronted a world unfamiliar with the Kingdom's pulse. 'When I first began this journey,' she said, 'I realized that many people around the world had never truly experienced our culture, our energy or our vision.' Six years and more than 135 global events later — from the electrifying debut of Formula 1 to the pioneering E1 Electric Boat Race — Al-Saud now orchestrates a marketing portfolio that has drawn more than 3 million attendees and broadcast Saudi Arabia's evolution to more than 160 countries. Her greatest triumph? Rewriting the narrative. Al-Saud told Arab News: 'We've evolved from being seen simply as a destination that hosts events, to being recognized as a forward‑thinking leader in sports.' Where skepticism once lingered, Al-Saud now projects certainty: 'Today, the most important message is that Saudi Arabia is not only open to the world, but actively shaping the global sports narrative.' This conviction permeates every campaign — whether amplifying community participation at Extreme E or embedding cultural storytelling into the WTA Finals. The most profound transformations, however, unfold in Saudi stands. 'A decade ago, it was rare to see parents, daughters and sons attending events side by side,' Al-Saud said. Now, stadiums brim with multi-generational energy. Al-Saud said: 'Girls are proudly wearing team jerseys, parents are cheering with their children and young fans are recognizing themselves in the athletes they watch.' She calls this phenomenon 'a ripple effect where sport becomes a shared cultural language' — a testament to Vision 2030's societal impact. Challenging global perceptions remains intrinsic to her work. 'We viewed every global event as a fresh opportunity to open a new window,' she said, countering stereotypes with experiential proof — be it through world-class venues or volunteers' warmth. Her creative arsenal relies on authentic storytelling: 'We flip the script by designing campaigns that don't just market a match or a race, they tell stories.' These narratives, showcasing international fans' pilgrimages or homegrown talent, serve a higher purpose: 'Our role goes far beyond ticket sales; it is about inspiring the next generation of athletes.' As chair of the Women's Sports Committee, Al-Saud wields platforms like the WTA Finals as catalysts. 'It's never been enough to simply host a women's tournament,' she added. Her strategy is inclusion at every level: 'We use these platforms to show that Saudi women are athletes, leaders, strategists and innovators.' From mentorship programs to leadership panels, the objective is unequivocal: 'Redefining roles not just on the court, but in boardrooms, production teams and strategy tables.' Amid the scale of progress, human moments anchor her. She vividly recounts the Italian Super Cup: 'Watching them, dressed in their club colors, walking through our fan zones with their children, laughing, taking photos, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride.' In that instant, the mission crystallized: 'It wasn't just about the game. It was about Saudi Arabia becoming a magnet for people who love sport, wherever they come from.' For Al-Saud, those smiles are more than rewards — they are proof that sport can build bridges no statistic can measure.


Asharq Al-Awsat
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Toyota Hill Climb Championship Concludes in Taif
The first round of the Saudi Toyota Championship Hill Climb concluded with 65 competitors facing challenging mountain twists amid dense fog and hailstones, testing their skills and determination, SPA reported. The event was held at Al-Muhammadiyah slope in Taif under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport and organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation. By hosting such championships, Taif aims to boost tourism, attract both local and international participants, and highlight the role of sports in community development, while contributing to the region's economic growth.


Asharq Al-Awsat
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Taif to Host Saudi Toyota Hill Climb Challenge Amid Mountainous Terrain
For the third consecutive year, Taif is set to host the Mohammediyah Hill Climb Championship as part of the opening round of the Saudi Toyota Championship. Scheduled to take place from June 27 to 28, the event is organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport. The championship, to be held along the winding roads of Mohammediyah slope, is one of the key events organized by the federation, aiming to promote and develop motorsports across the Kingdom. It also seeks to encourage community participation, hone drivers' skills, and promote a culture of safe competition in line with the highest standards of safety and organization, SPA reported. In addition, it provides an ideal platform to showcase driving talent in a competitive environment that prioritizes safety, and aligns with the federation's broader efforts to foster motorsport culture in the Kingdom and open new horizons for local talent. The event is expected to draw wide interest from motorsport enthusiasts—both competitors and spectators—reflecting the growing appeal of the sport within Saudi Arabia and reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a premier destination for hosting major sports events at both the local and international levels.


CTV News
17-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Wilmot Recreation Complex gets $379K boost for ‘critical upgrades'
Township of Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen spoke at RBJ Schlegel Park in Kitchener on June 16, 2025. (Courtesy: Township of Wilmot) The Wilmot Recreation Complex will be getting some upgrades thanks to funding from the provincial government. On Monday, the Ontario Ministry of Sport announced $379,650 for the complex after making a larger funding announcement in Kitchener earlier that day. Wilmot will be using the money for a refrigeration plant retrofit project, which they said will allow them to make operations at the complex more energy-efficient. They called the work 'critical upgrades' in a release on Monday. 'This investment helps ensure the Wilmot Recreation Complex remains a cornerstone of active living in our community,' Mayor Natasha Salonen said.


Zawya
25-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Teneo appoints Abdulmajeed Y. Alshamekh as a Managing Director in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Riyadh – Teneo, the global CEO advisory firm, today announced the appointment of Abdulmajeed Y. Alshamekh as a Managing Director in the firm's Riyadh office. Abdulmajeed is a seasoned investment and strategy executive with deep expertise in public-private partnerships (PPP), Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) structuring, large-scale investment transactions and government advisory across the region. At Teneo, Abdulmajeed will work across multiple business lines, both in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. His experience will be particularly invaluable to Teneo's new Capital Projects & Infrastructure team in their PPP and private finance initiative implementation engagements. Teneo has been operating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for over ten years and continues to accelerate the build out of its team, service offering and client base across the country. Prior to joining Teneo, Abdulmajeed served as Investment Portfolio Director at the Saudi Ministry of Sport, where he led high-impact PPP and real estate initiatives. Earlier in his public sector career, Abdulmajeed played a key role at the Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, leading several major PPP transactions. He has advised several central government bodies while serving as a Deputy Minister advisor at the Ministry of Economy and Planning. His committee engagements include the National Incentives Committee, the FDI Committee, the LUCID Purchase Agreement Committee and the RCRC Trade Balance Committee. Abdulmajeed also worked in the Vision2030 Office at the Saudi Ministry of Commerce, where he supported the Minister of Commerce as an advisory board member and oversaw key PMO tasks tied to Vision 2030 initiatives. Prior to his government experience, Abdulmajeed advised on M&A transactions valued at SAR 1.4 billion with AlKhair Capital and co-managed three mutual funds on TASI as a financial analyst and assistant fund manager at Saudi Kuwaiti Finance House. Nick McDonagh, Senior Managing Director and Teneo's regional leader in the Middle East, said: 'We are delighted to welcome Abdulmajeed to Teneo. His experience across government, investment, sports and infrastructure significantly strengthens our range of capabilities and senior team in the Kingdom. We expect Abdulmajeed to play a major role in Teneo's continued support of clients navigating one of the world's most ambitious and dynamic economic transformations.' Matthew Wilde, Co-CEO of Teneo's Middle East Financial Advisory business, added: 'Abdulmajeed's appointment reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in talent that aligns with our clients' evolving needs. His unique leadership and market insight will be instrumental in helping clients deliver on complex mandates and achieve strategic impact under Vision 2030 and beyond.' Abdulmajeed Alshamekh said: "I'm very excited to join Teneo and to continue to help tell Saudi Arabia's story. We have a great opportunity to grow our multi-disciplinary advisory offering on the ground in the Kingdom – from strategic and financial communications to financial advisory, investment structuring and management consulting. The calibre of Teneo's team, their culture and their unique platform means the firm is perfectly placed to accelerate the ambitions of its clients in Saudi Arabia and beyond.' About Teneo Teneo is the global CEO advisory firm. We partner with our clients globally to do great things for a better future. Drawing upon our global team and expansive network of senior advisors, we provide advisory services across our five business segments on a stand-alone or fully integrated basis to help our clients solve complex business challenges. Our clients include a significant number of the Fortune 100 and FTSE 100, as well as other corporations, financial institutions and organizations. Our full range of advisory services includes strategic communications, investor relations, financial transactions and restructuring, management consulting, physical and cyber risk, organizational design, board and executive search, geopolitics and government affairs, corporate governance and ESG. The firm has more than 1,600 employees located in 40+ offices around the world.