Mahmood Saleh Abbar Co., the authorized agent of Casio in Saudi Arabia, was one of the sponsors of the “Obstacle Spartan Race,” which took place in Jeddah’s Al Jawhara Stadium recently.
The event is one of the most famous races in the world. The sponsorship is in line with the company’s goal of contributing to and enhancing sports in society in order to achieve Vision 2030.
The mission of “Obstacle Spartan Race” is to inspire everyone in society to practice sports and be fit, both mentally and physically.
The company’s booth at the event displayed a range of G-Shock products, including the new flagship G-Shock GWG-1000, which has been specifically designed for deserts, mud and other tough environments. It is packed with features that deliver the toughness needed in harsh environments, and offers shock resistance.
The buttons are protected against the entry of mud and the watch offers vibration resistance. The new watch has a compass to help users pinpoint the right direction and a barometer, which is useful for predicting changes in weather.
Abbar Co. has always been supportive of sports, music and art events in order to promote those activities among the youth in the community.
Casio is the world’s first company using digital technology and adapting it for providing the most accurate information to meet the needs of its customers.
All of Casio’s watches are available at Abbar Co.’s sales outlets in the Kingdom.
Abbar Co., Casio sponsor ‘Obstacle Spartan Race’ in Jeddah
Abbar Co., Casio sponsor ‘Obstacle Spartan Race’ in Jeddah
Saudi Awwal Bank becomes first Middle East bank to earn 7-star CinOrg innovation accreditation
Saudi Awwal Bank has become the first bank in the Middle East to receive a 7‑star Certified Innovative Organization rating from the Global Innovation Institute, the highest recognition awarded by the institute.
The accreditation marks a significant step in SAB’s innovation strategy and follows an innovation maturity assessment conducted by the institute in December 2025. The review, which built on an earlier assessment in December 2023, raised the bank’s maturity level from “Champion” to “Leader.” The new rating reflects SAB’s institutionalized approach to innovation, its enterprise-wide impact and its ability to consistently deliver measurable results.
With the 7‑star rating, SAB becomes the first bank in the region to reach the highest innovation maturity level, strengthening its position as a regional reference point for innovation-led and future-ready banking.
In 2025, the bank opened its flagship Innovation Centre and secured six internationally recognized innovation awards, along with a lab accreditation. The centre has supported SAB’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, encourage cross-functional collaboration and reinforce its standing as a regional leader in financial innovation.
Saeed Assiri, chief innovation banking officer at SAB, said the recognition reflects years of focused work to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem.
“By investing in SAB’s culture, governance and talent, innovation enables the bank to remain future-ready,” he said. “This milestone reinforces our role in accelerating financial innovation in Saudi Arabia and delivering long-term value for our customers.”
The certification adds to SAB’s broader efforts to strengthen its innovation capabilities as the Kingdom’s banking sector continues to evolve.
