SFA, NUFC Foundation team up to help Saudi Arabia’s 35-50 age group get into sport

RIYADH: The Saudi Sports For All Federation and Premier League club Newcastle United have teamed up to launch a sports program aimed at 35-50-year-olds in Saudi Arabia, it was announced Wednesday.

SFA and the Newcastle United Foundation, an independent charity operated by the club, will work together to provide the Kingdom's older population, both citizens and residents, access to world-class, age-appropriate sporting amenities, resources, and experiences to get involved with sport.

The partnership comes under the leadership of the Ministry of Sports and its goals of attracting specialized international programs within the framework of community sports, in addition to supporting the Quality of Life program, an SFA statement said.

Set to be executed in three phases, the first and second stage of the program have been completed and established successfully. The first phase being focused on training 10 Saudi master trainers in Newcastle, and the second phase being focused and aimed at training 225 executive coaches in the Kingdom.

The third phase is set to focus on attracting 3,000 registrants who will then be empowered and equipped with the tools to lead healthy, active lives.

“Saudi Arabia continues to make strides towards becoming a global economic hub and bolstering its thriving society,” Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, SFA president said. “Our goal is to serve the country, priming it for long-term success, SFA aims to play a key role in Saudi’s aims in the sports and wellness arenas, enhancing its athletics culture and infrastructure.

“We believe this is vital to the development of a healthy, productive, and diverse community of citizens and residents united by an active, sustainable outlook.”

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