RIYADH: Sports fans are 10 days away from the inauguration of the second edition of the 2023 Saudi Games, the largest national sports event in the Kingdom’s history.
The showpiece event, scheduled to take place between Nov. 26 and Dec. 10, 2023, aims to provide athletes with a platform to demonstrate their talents and engage in fierce competition, a media statement said on Thursday.
More than 230 sporting events will take place across 31 venues in Riyadh and Jeddah during the competition.
The event hopes to inspire Saudi youth with the spirit of sports and highlight the Kingdom’s capacity to stage major international events.
The Saudi Games also align with the national vision to nurture and produce new sporting champions across a range of disciplines, aiming to bolster local talent and enhance infrastructure.
More than 8,000 participants, including athletes, coaches, and team leaders, will take part, while the event’s 53 sporting disciplines will include six paralympic, four demonstration, and 12 youth sports.
Record-breaking prize pools, totaling more than SR250 million ($67 million), will set the stage for peak performances. Amateurs will also be invited to take part in individual sports under the guidance of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
Locations include the facilities of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, King Saud University, Al-Nassr Club, and Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Al-Malaz, along with the Riyadh Golf Club, Dirab Square, and Rumah Camel Square.
Cycling events will take place on the roads from King Saud University and multiple routes in Riyadh. Additional venues include the Jeddah Yacht Club, Lagoona Resort, and Durat Alarus in Jeddah.