FIFA President Gianni Infantino has held fruitful talks with Saudi Arabia’s football and sports leaders and has visited state-of-the-art facilities on a trip to Riyadh.
The FIFA President’s program included a meeting with HRH Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, where he was presented with the Saudi Arabian government’s ambitious plans to develop sport over the next decade . The directors also considered ways of cooperation between the two institutions to ensure that football continues to thrive and maintain its leading position in Saudi Arabia. The tour included a tour of the new Mahd Sports Academy, an innovative project launched in 2020 with the aim of identifying and developing local sporting talent.
The FIFA President also held meetings with the head of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) under President Yasser bin Hassan Al-Misehal, on a visit that also included a demonstration of Saudi Arabia’s regional training centers, talks with local international referees , a review of the domestic women’s football strategy, and a tour of the SAFF museum.
“I really enjoyed being here in Riyadh to see the facilities of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and I gained professionalism, passion and skills,” the FIFA President said. “I already knew that Saudi Arabia is a country of football, and that football is at its heart, but what I see here is strategy and vision, and I have to contribute. to His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz (bin Turki Al-Faisal) and Saudi Arabian Football Federation President Yasser (bin Hassan Al-Misehal) and all the team who are doing a good job.
“The result of this work, I think, will be seen in the years to come. FIFA is proud and happy, not only to be here today, but to go with this process. , because we need the big nations [involved] and Saudi Arabia is certainly a great country. ”