Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Athletes Commission which runs under the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee (SAOC) will be hosting its first International Athletes’ two-day virtual forum from Aug. 29, under the patronage of Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al-Faisal, president of SAOC.

Several local and international leading sport personalities will be participating in the forum. They include chairwoman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) 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 at the SAOC 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,” Al-Moaiqel said.

Established in 2019, the commission is focused on increasing the role of athletes in the sports movement. "We are in 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 toward 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,” Al-Moaiqel added.

In accordance with the IOC athlete commission mission, the forum focuses on the representation of athletes and ensuring that their viewpoint remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.

The first day will start with an opening session with the President of SAOC, followed by four sessions. They are: 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. Five sessions will run on the second day as follows; Life after sport, Athlete entourage, Olympic solidarity, integrity – clean athletes (Session on anti-doping), and finally Sports psychology and mental health.

The forum will be aired live through SAOC twitter @saudiolympic and Instagram official accounts @saudiolympicsa