Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create a broad-based framework of cooperation across tech services and social impact initiatives.

The signing of the MoU took place at SDAIA’S headquarters in the presence of SFA president Prince Khalid Bin Alwaleed Bin Talal, and SDAIA president Dr. Abdullah Bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi.

On the technological front, the agreement will see SDAIA’s Tawakkalna app and the SFA app work together for a seamless user experience with powerful features. Tawakkalna already hosts comprehensive nationwide user profiles that will now be enhanced with SFA app sports features and information. Users will be able to easily locate nearby community sports activities via Tawakkalna.

Collaboration between SDAIA and SFA entities will also yield further technological innovation to advance the SFA’s remit of promoting healthier, more active lifestyles across the Kingdom.

The two entities will also launch joint campaigns to promote physical activity across the Kingdom, increasing the reach and positive impact of wellness initiatives.

Commenting on the development SDAIA president Al-Ghamdi, noted that the MoU comes as part of SDAIA’s continuous efforts to achieve integration with government entities and provide digital solutions that have an impact on society, adding: “Physical activities and the sports economy are two important elements in this vision, and here lies the essence of this agreement, which will enhance the efforts related to the use of advanced technologies to improve the quality of life."

"Our cooperation with SFA will accelerate the stages of technological innovation and will contribute to the creation of more impactful initiatives and facilitate their access to all.”

He highlighted that the MoU will enable the two parties to explore ways of harnessing technology and data for a healthier community and to increase individuals’ participation in health-enhancing physical activities.

“Our agreement with SDAIA heralds a new chapter in our journey to create a health-first mindset in Saudi Arabia and ensure that physical activity is accessible, attractive and within reach for everyone in the country. At SFA, we value the power of collaboration and are looking forward to working with SDAIA to explore innovative ways to reach out to Saudi society with campaigns and initiatives. We are excited about jointly exploring ways of expanding the local sports economy. This agreement will also present a huge leap forward in SFA’s journey of digital transformation,” said SFA president Prince Khaled Bin Alwaleed.

The agreement with SDAIA enhances SFA’s collaborative approach as it furthers the Quality of Life program mandated in the Saudi Vision 2030. The Quality of Life program calls for increasing the number of people undertaking regular physical activity in the Kingdom to 40 percent by 2030, and the Federation is helping meet this target by facilitating sporting opportunities and initiating campaigns encouraging exercise. SFA already works closely with the Ministry of Sport and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing to achieve its goal of a healthier, more active Saudi Arabia.

The SFA app, together with the SFA Rewards program, is at the heart of the Federation’s digital transformation as it amplifies its outreach to Saudi communities. Available on iOS and Android, the SFA app is part fitness tracker, part social platform. It tracks steps, fitness goals and physical activity, integrating seamlessly with fitness devices such as the Apple Watch, Google Fit and Fitbit. It’s also a social hub, allowing users to join SFA challenges, seek out community events near them, and even create their own community sports groups.

The app is the central hub for the SFA’s Start Now campaign, launched to encourage people of all ages, genders, backgrounds and abilities to be more active and help the Kingdom become a beacon of health, fitness and wellbeing.