Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, August 24, 2020: The Saudi Athletes Commission, which runs under the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, will be hosting its 1st International Athletes’ virtual forum on August 29-30 under the patronage of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki AlFaisal, President of SAOC.
The forum, which will run for two days, will feature leading local and international sports personalities including the Chairwoman of the International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission and Zimbabwe Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry.
The forum is considered as one of the first of its kind in the Middle East region, according to Ibrahim Al-Moaiqel, Chairman of the Saudi Athletes’ Commission and a volleyball player with Al-Hilal Sports Club.
“The forum aims to acknowledge concerns of athletes and promote the role of athletes commissions both locally and internationally, creating a platform for dialogue on important topics that relate to the welfare of athletes,” said Al-Moaiqel.
“Newly established in 2019, our commission is focused on increasing the role of athletes in the sports movement. We are at the beginning of our journey and there is a lot to learn, but we believe that driving initiatives such as the forum is an important step towards strengthening the representation of athletes.
“By linking athletes on the ground with decision-makers in the ecosystem, we can empower the voice of athletes to contribute to the development of sports in the Kingdom.”
In accordance with the IOC Athletes Commission mission, the forum focuses on the representation of athletes and ensuring that the athletes' viewpoint remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.
The first day will start with an opening address by HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki AlFaisal, President of SAOC, followed by four sessions: Athletes at the heart of the Olympic movement, The Olympic Journey, The importance of health and well-being and Empowering women in Sport.
The second day will include an opening message from Prince Fahad Bin Jalawi, Vice President of SAOC, followed by five sessions: Life after Sport, Athlete Entourage, Olympic Solidarity, Integrity – Clean athletes (Session on anti-doping) and Sports Psychology and Mental health.
The forum will include the Chairwoman of the OCA Women and Sports Committee, Sheikha Hayat Bint Abdul Aziz Al Khalifa, and Saudi Arabia’s Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games equestrian bronze medallist Dalma Malhas.
The forum will be aired live through SAOC twitter @saudiolympic and Instagram official accounts @saudiolympicsa
