RIYADH: The Saudi Sports for All Federation has signed a partnership agreement which enables Saudi Awwal Bank to be the presenting partner at the Riyadh Marathon, which takes place on Saturday.

Shaima Saleh Al-Husseini, SFA’s managing director, and Omar Battiah, the head of the bank’s marketing and customer experience department, signed the agreement at the federation’s headquarters in Riyadh.

Al-Husseini said that the federation, through the partnership, hopes to contribute to the success of the sporting event while supporting the participation of everyone in community sports programs and events.

Battiah said that the agreement came as a result of the belief in the role of community sports in enhancing the health of society, while indicating that the partnership reflected the bank’s commitment to the importance of sports and their role in improving the quality of life for all.

He said the partnership also adhered to the objectives of the SFA to help to motivate sections of society and encourage the community to practice physical activities through innovative programs and initiatives, as part of the aims of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to raise the rate of exercise among members of society.

Riyadh hosts the third edition of the marathon on Saturday. It is a professional event with the backing of both Asian and international athletics organizations.

It is considered one of the most prestigious sporting events organized by the SFA and represents a milestone in the federation’s journey toward encouraging more people to take up sports and physical exercise.

The Riyadh Marathon last year saw more than 15,000 participants from more than 120 countries.