FaceOf: Turki Al-Alshaikh, Saudi General Sports Authority chairman

Turki bin Abdel Muhsin Al-Alshaikh
Updated 11 June 2018
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FaceOf: Turki Al-Alshaikh, Saudi General Sports Authority chairman

Turki bin Abdel Muhsin Al-Alshaikh is the chairman of the board of directors of Saudi Arabia’s General Sports Authority (GSA), Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation and Union of Arab Football Associations.

He is also an adviser to the royal court with the rank of minister. 

Al-Alshaikh was born in Riyadh in 1981. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Security Sciences from King Fahad Security College. He graduated in 2001.

He started his career in the government sector by joining working the Interior Ministry where he reached the rank of a captain. Then he worked in the Emirate of Riyadh for two years, after that he moved to the office of the prince of Riyadh. He also worked in the office of the defense minister and the crown prince for three years.

In January 2015, he was appointed an adviser to the royal court, and in June 2017, a royal decree was issued to promote him to be a royal advisor with the rank of minister. In September 2017, he was chosen to head GSA. 

Al-Alshaikh was named the most influential Arab sports personality of the year 2017 at the 12th Dubai International Sports Conference.

Since Al-Alshaikh’s appointment as the GSA chief, the sports authority has launched a series of notable initiatives, which include providing financial support to the Saudi national clubs, formation of a technical committee for the development of Saudi football and to ensure that national talents find proper opportunities, and building a strong relations with continental and international sports associations. 

Al-Alshaikh also signed a number of deals to host important sports events in Saudi Arabia, such as the recent contact with the World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) to hold wrestling events in the country for the next 10 years. 

Al-Alshaikh is also a poet and a songwriter. 


Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport reaches record 50 million passengers in 2025

Updated 15 December 2025
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Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport reaches record 50 million passengers in 2025

  • New milestone marks the highest number ever recorded by a Saudi airport 
  • Lucky 50-millionth passenger was a French national arriving from Paris on a Saudia flight

JEDDAH: King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah recorded a new historic milestone on Sunday with the arrival of the 50-millionth passenger for year 2025.

The 50 million milestone marks the highest number ever recorded by a Saudi airport since the launch of civil aviation in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. 

It also placed KAIA among the world’s mega airports in terms of passenger numbers. The figure represents a 1.83 percent growth from 49.1 million passenger arrival recorded in 2024.

“This achievement reflects the qualitative transformation at KAIA and its growing status as a regional hub and national gateway connecting the Kingdom to the world,” the report said.

The lucky 50-millionth passenger was a French national arriving from Paris on a Saudia flight to participate in a sports tournament hosted in Jeddah. (SPA)

It also underscores the airport’s vital role in enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a global tourist destination and a gateway to the Two Holy Mosques by facilitating the movement of visitors, Umrah performers, and pilgrims.

KAIA serves as a gateway to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah by facilitating the movement of visitors, Umrah performers, and pilgrims.

The lucky 50-millionth passenger was a French national arriving from Paris on a Saudia flight to participate in a sports tournament hosted in Jeddah.

She was welcomed by JEDCO’s leadership, who greeted her and presented a commemorative gift to mark the occasion.

JEDCO Chief Executive Officer Mazen Johar said that reaching 50 million passengers reflects the airport’s high operational readiness and marks a pivotal milestone in preparations to double this figure in the coming years.