RIYADH: The Cabinet decision approving privatization of sports clubs in the Kingdom enthused sports lovers, analysts and businessmen alike, as they welcomed the decision on Tuesday, which they described as a good move to bring a quality shift in Saudi sports, and promote more sports clubs.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman here on Monday, approved the privatization of premier football league clubs. The General Authority for Sports will stipulate the regulations and conditions governing how these sports companies will carry out their activities.
Moreover, it approved formation of a committee to supervise the completion of the club privatization stages, to be headed by the president of the General Authority for Sports, and members comprising the deputy minister of economy and planning, commerce undersecretary for systems and regulations, in addition to representatives of the Finance Ministry, the Saudi Arabian Football Association, and the Professional League Association.
Majed Abdullah Al Hedayan, legal affairs in-charge at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Arab News, “With this decision we are assured of a way of switching sports institutions of full reliability to professionalism, more competitive sports, and a better future of sports organizations to create internal investment opportunities, contribute to the creation of permanent jobs, and help to stimulate physical activity and creativity to achieve sustainable development in sports to meet the public’s aspirations and expectations.”
He said sports clubs have been given considerable attention in recent years, and attempts were made to revive these institutions, enhancing their role in society, which, unfortunately, did not keep pace with the required progress at the national level, as they were not commensurate with the needs of young people, who represent a large proportion of our society.
Abdurrahman Inayat, a sports enthusiast, said sports and entertainment form an important part of the Vision 2030, as the ambitious plan asserts that the two aspects represent the main pillars of a quality life; therefore, the government pledges to provide a rich experience and reach the citizen’s expectations. This decision would encourage the sports sector, and allow it to contribute to the national economy and help diversify income sources with the private sector, he added.
Commenting on the decision, Fawwaz bin Khairi Al-Hakami, an associate professor for sports sciences at King Saud University, said that the Cabinet decision is a mega-stimulus for investment as it copes with the economic diversification drive contained in Vision 2030. It is expected that private investment in sports clubs will generate thousands of jobs, he added.
Salman Al-Malik, of the Saudi Arabian Football Association, told local media that the privatization decision was a positive step and a quality leap for sports in the Kingdom. The privatization move is a historic decision that will positively be reflected on sports clubs, in particular, and sports, in general, he added.
Appreciating the decision, sports investors speaking on local TV went on to suggest that an inventory of assets of the sports clubs should be made before the privatization process.
Privatization of sports clubs welcomed to bring quality shift in Saudi sports
Privatization of sports clubs welcomed to bring quality shift in Saudi sports
Tennis world number ones Sabalenka, Alcaraz begin Australian Open campaigns
- Carlos Alcaraz, who could complete a career Grand Slam if he wins the tournament, faces Adam Walton
- Aryna Sabalenka takes on Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah as she seeks a third title at Melbourne Park
MELBOURNE: The first round of the Australian Open begins in Melbourne on Sunday.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz, who could complete a career Grand Slam if he wins the tournament, faces Adam Walton, while Aryna Sabalenka takes on Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah as she seeks a third title at Melbourne Park.
Top men’s match: Alcaraz v Walton
At 22, Alcaraz could replace Don Budge as the youngest man to achieve the career Grand Slam with victory at the Australian Open. The Spaniard has left no one in any doubt what his main goal is for the 2026 season, saying in November he would rather win a first Melbourne Park crown than retain his French and US Open titles.
His quest to make history will begin with a first-round tie against Australian Walton.
The pair have crossed paths once before, with Alcaraz beating the Australian 6-4 7-6(4) during his title-winning run at the Queen’s Club Championships last year.
Top women’s match: Sabalenka v Rakotomanga Rajaonah
Sabalenka will be bidding to continue her incredible record in hard court Grand Slam tournaments when she begins her campaign against Frenchwoman Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
The Belarusian world number one has reached the final of the last six majors she has played on the surface, winning four of those.
She enters the competition in fine form after retaining her Brisbane International title this month without losing a set, and should have little trouble when she takes on the 118th-ranked Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
Venus Williams is back
Venus Williams, a two-times Australian Open singles finalist, returns to the tournament for the first time since 2021 after receiving a wildcard.
The 45-year-old faces Olga Danilovic in the first round, where she is set to become the oldest woman to feature in the Australian Open main draw by surpassing Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she bowed out in the first round in 2015.
Williams has endured a poor start to the season, losing to Magda Linette in the first round in Auckland and to Tatjana Maria in her opening match at the Hobart International.
Despite her defeats, she said she was happy with her level.
“I can’t expect perfection right now, but I know I’m playing good tennis. Winning and losing doesn’t know any age. Once you walk on court, you’re there to compete,” Williams said before her defeat in Hobart.
Australian Open order of play on Sunday
Here is the order of play on the main showcourts on the first day of the Australian Open (prefix number denotes seeding):
Rod Laver Arena
- Day session
Aliaksandra Sasnovich (Belarus) v 7-Jasmine Paolini (Italy)
3-Alexander Zverev (Germany) v Gabriel Diallo (Canada)
- Night session
1-Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) v Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah (France)
1-Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) v Adam Walton (Australia)
Margaret Court Arena
- Day session
Maria Sakkari (Greece) v Leolia Jeanjean (France)
18-Francisco Cerundolo (Argentina) v Zhang Zhizhen (China)
- Night session
10-Alexander Bublik (Kazakhstan) v Jenson Brooksby (US)
Mananchaya Sawangkaew (Thailand) v 28-Emma Raducanu (Britain)
John Cain Arena
- Day session
Arthur Fery (Britain) v 20-Flavio Cobolli (Italy)
- Day session
12-Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) v Cristina Bucsa (Spain)
- Night session
29-Frances Tiafoe (US) v Jason Kubler (Australia)
Olga Danilovic (Serbia) v Venus Williams (US)
