The Saudi Sports for All Federation took part in Leaders Week London 2026, held on 7–8 October 2026 at Stamford Bridge, where it presented Saudi Arabia's grassroots sports model to an international audience.
The federation's Managing Director, Shaima Saleh AlHusseini, represented the organization in a session focused on expanding physical activity and building active communities. During the discussion, she outlined how the Kingdom has developed community sports through public-private partnerships, mass participation programs, and initiatives encouraging healthier lifestyles.
The presentation highlighted significant gains in national fitness. Physical-activity participation in Saudi Arabia rose from 13% in 2018 to 48.2% in 2022. By 2025, an estimated 59.1% of Saudi adults were reaching at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week.
Record Growth in Community Events
Among the standout examples shared was the Riyadh Marathon, which expanded from around 10,000 participants in 2022 to more than 50,000 in 2026. The event also earned the World Athletics Elite Road Race Label certification, placing it among the recognized road races worldwide.
For residents across the Kingdom, these figures reflect a broader shift toward accessible, everyday sport. The growing range of community events, walking and running programs, and partnership-driven activities offers families and individuals in cities like the Riyadh and Jeddah more ways to stay active, connect with others, and adopt healthier daily routines.
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