Saudi forum urges closer school-sport links

Sports officials, academics, athletes, and youth specialists gathered at a forum hosted by the University of Business and Technology in Jeddah to discuss how families, schools, universities, and sports organizations can work more closely together to grow sport in the Kingdom.

Speakers called for tighter coordination between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sport, arguing that talented athletes can be identified and developed far earlier if schools and universities become a reliable pipeline for sporting potential.

Building on existing programs

Participants pointed to ongoing cooperation between the Saudi Universities Sports Federation and the Saudi Sports for All Federation, which have run joint university physical-activity programs since 2019. The University Sports Group Program supported seven universities and several colleges, and in its initial 2022 phase targeted 120 new sports groups alongside 80 existing community groups.

Wider policy efforts were also highlighted, including increasing girls’ participation in school sport, the “My Sport is My Future” program, individual and team university competitions, and national physical-activity campaigns designed to make movement part of daily life.

For families across Riyadh, Jeddah, and other cities, stronger links between classrooms and clubs could mean more structured pathways for children and students who want to pursue sport seriously, as well as healthier campuses and communities. The discussion reflects a broader push to embed physical activity into education as a long-term national priority.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving