Saudi Gazette report

DOHA — Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal praised the passion of Saudi youth and the skills and knowledge that they have acquired during the FIFA World Cup 2022 being held in Qatar. He appreciated their efforts in representing the Kingdom and demonstrating their competence in front of fans from all over the world.

Prince Abdulaziz made the remarks while meeting a group of Saudi volunteers in the Saudi House in Doha on Monday. They were chosen by FIFA, in cooperation with the Knowledge Exchange and Volunteering Program of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), to organize the activities and matches of the World Cup 2022 Qatar.

It is noteworthy that the Saudi House is a dedicated pavilion showcasing Saudi Arabia's rich culture and football history. Organized by the Saudi Ministry of Sports and SAFF, Saudi House is celebrating the Kingdom’s traditions, hospitality, and unwavering passion throughout the global tournament.

Overlooking the Arabian Gulf and close to major attractions in Doha's West Bay, Saudi House is spanning the size of more than two football pitches, covering an area of 18,000 square meters. It welcomes visitors from 12pm till 12am every day throughout the month of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Fans of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy unforgettable entertainment and activities, from live music featuring prominent local artists to a roster of street shows to unique immersive experiences. The pavilion will play host to 21 different activities across 10 dedicated areas.

There are a total of 400 young Saudi men and women who are actively involved in World Cup volunteering work and they were picked as FIFA volunteers from among 1,200 Saudi applicants after meticulous screening and reviewing of their experience and passion in volunteering work. This was also part of SAFF’s Knowledge Exchange and Volunteering Program, in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which targets registration of one million volunteers.

The SAFF’s Knowledge Exchange and Volunteering Program aims to provide Saudi volunteers with adequate knowledge, expertise, proficiency and experiences so as to enable them to manage major sporting events, set to be hosted by the Kingdom in future. The program seeks to develop basic skills and skills for the future, as well as to develop and localize knowledge, especially in managing crowds and organizing events in accordance with the best international practices, which develops the capabilities of talented and creative Saudi youth.

FIFA has selected about 3000 volunteers of various nationalities, where the rate of Saudis make up about 12 percent, and the percentage is divided between young men and women who have a brilliant track record of volunteering in the Kingdom.