Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 3, 2020: The President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, chaired an online meeting of the Olympic Council of Asia Education Committee on Thursday, September 3.
The meeting was conducted out of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia via the Zoom video conference application and attracted 16 participants from various countries including Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Qatar and Lebanon as well as from the OCA HQ in Kuwait.
The meeting began with a message from the President of the Olympic Council of Asia, HE Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah.
Sheikh Ahmad congratulated the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee on the successful hosting of a virtual two-day International Athletes Forum by the SAOC’s Athletes Committee last weekend.
“I was very impressed with the experience and the expertise of the speakers and presenters and the wide range of topics covered during the two-day forum,” said Sheikh Ahmad.
“It was a wonderful achievement to attract 10,000 viewers to the forum.”
Sheikh Ahmad said education played a key role in the development of the Olympic Movement at all levels, from children to athletes to sports leaders, and that the OCA looked forward to working together with the OCA Education Committee on the proposals and the initiatives to come out of the meeting.
“I would like to thank you all for taking the time to attend this online meeting and for showing your devotion to the OCA and the Olympic Movement,” he said.
In his opening address, OCA Education Committee Chairman HRH Prince Abdulaziz shared his vision to increase opportunities for Olympic education, collaboration and best practice.
At the inaugural virtual meeting of the OCA Education Committee - and the first meeting under the leadership of HRH Prince Abdulaziz - the crucial role the Education Committee can play in supporting education initiatives as Asia looks to recover from Covid-19 was highlighted.
Since the start of the pandemic, SAOC has used the power of Olympism to lead innovative digital education programmes and inspire tens of thousands of Saudis to stay active and engage with online learning initiatives – including in global unison on Olympic Day. Following the successful, SAOC-led #StayAtHome campaign, the SAOC President proposed increasing the implementation of online learning opportunities throughout Asia.
As SAOC President, HRH Prince Abdulaziz has prioritised implementing the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) within Saudi Arabia to communicate the benefits of sport to society. Despite postponement due to Covid-19, the powerful Saudi Games platform has been harnessed to launch a wide range of new initiatives including the Saudi Arabian Olympic Academy to provide young athletes with the facilities to excel.
“During these difficult times, as Asia and the rest of the world endeavours to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is vitally important that the OCA Education Committee continues to support the educational development of young people,” he said.
“Chairing the first virtual meeting of the Education Committee has been a priority following the postponement of the Saudi Games and displays an innovative spirit we can all embrace.
“The OCA Education Committee can play a crucial role here as online education and e-learning opportunities become the norm in many member nations. With solidarity and social purpose as key values, a committed and coordinated approach, increased resources and Asia’s combined skills and knowledge, the Education Committee can provide new Olympic education opportunities.
“Education should be integrated in all our activities with support from our strategic and commercial partners as they represent valuable avenues to help share the Olympic values.
“I congratulate all OCA members and their NOCs for leading inspirational educational activities, including webinars and training courses. Asian NOCs have demonstrated their powerful capabilities in delivering these initiatives – it is now time to unite these efforts to reach out to our wider communities.
“Saudi Arabia is a committed supporter of the Olympic Movement, the OCA and sport throughout Asia and the SAOC has remained in close contact with our communities during the #StayAtHome phase. The power of Olympism has inspired tens of thousands of Saudis to #StayActive, connected and continuously engaged with our Olympic educational content.”
Education Committee members from countries such as Sri Lanka and Pakistan highlighted projects in their own countries and HRH Prince Abdulaziz revealed plans for an Association of Asian Olympic Academies and an Asia Coach Competition as well as domestic programmes in Saudi Arabia involving schools, the Olympic Academy and the signing of an MoU with United Through Sports.
The OCA’s Asian Games Director, Mr Haider Farman, outlined OCA activities such as the Asian Games Fun Run and social development and education programmes available for National Olympic Committees through Olympic Solidarity.
Also from the OCA, Mr Vinod Tiwari, Director of International and NOC Relations, gave details on the OCA Culture Committee proposal to have a cultural expo on the sidelines of OCA games at which Olympic education could play a major part, too.
Summing up the meeting, HRH Prince Abdulaziz said the committee had received six solid proposals on how to move forward and these would be formulated and aligned with OCA strategy before being put forward as a concrete proposal for funding.
