DAMMAM: The bylaw for privatization of Saudi clubs will be issued shortly as a panel of experts are now putting final touches to it, said Prince Nawaf bin Faisal, head of the Youth Welfare Presidency.
“Privatization will bring about qualitative improvement to Saudi sports,” the prince said while opening a sports investment forum here.
“We have signed an agreement with FIFA to seek its guidance for building world-class sports facilities,” he said, adding that the forum would contribute to the privatization process. The law firms SNR Denton and Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, a unit of Deloitte & Touche, have been awarded a nine-month project to advise the presidency on the privatization project.
Together, they will complete a study and recommend an approach to privatize the main youth sports clubs and restructure the existing domestic professional soccer league. The study will be completed in two months.
Saudi sports clubs to be privatized
Saudi sports clubs to be privatized
Sharjah Self-Defence takes opening-day lead at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
- Round 1 of the competition is taking place at Nad Al Sheba Complex in Dubai
DUBAI: The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship — Round 1 No Gi got underway in Dubai on Saturday with the Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club leading the standings at the end of the day’s action.
The competition took place at Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex with action across the U-12, U-14 and U-16 categories.
Day 1 also saw Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club finish in second place and Palms Sports — Team 777 in third.
Mohamed Hussain Al-Marzooqi, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said the inclusion of the No Gi category reflects the federation’s commitment to providing athletes with more competitive opportunities and developing their skills across different jiu-jitsu styles. He stressed that investment in youth categories remains essential to building a generation capable of representing the UAE at regional and international competitions.
“No Gi competitions offer a different challenge in jiu-jitsu, with a focus on speed, flexibility and tactical awareness,” said Al-Marzooqi. “We include this format to help develop athletes’ skills, prepare them for international competition, and build well-rounded athletes who can adapt to different styles.”
The championship continues on Sunday with competitions in the U-18, Adults and Masters categories, with significant participation from clubs and academies from across the UAE.
