{"id":2370,"date":"2022-08-29T20:28:13","date_gmt":"2022-08-29T20:28:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/horner-says-verstappen-has-taken-another-step-since-title-victory\/"},"modified":"2022-08-29T20:28:13","modified_gmt":"2022-08-29T20:28:13","slug":"horner-says-verstappen-has-taken-another-step-since-title-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=2370","title":{"rendered":"Horner says Verstappen has taken \u2018another step\u2019 since title victory"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

Saudi sports minister says Jeddah is being rediscovered as the new home for sport in the Middle East<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
\n

\nJEDDAH: Of all Saudi Arabia\u2019s cities, few enjoy the enormous profile and popularity like that of Jeddah.<\/p>\n

\nA major urban center and the Kingdom\u2019s commercial capital, \u2018The Bride of the Red Sea\u2019 has long been a renowned regional attraction and quickly becoming an iconic international destination, melding history with modernity, welcoming millions of visitors annually.<\/p>\n

\nJeddah\u2019s story is, however, far from its conclusion, for a new, exciting chapter has only just begun.<\/p>\n

\nAs Saudi Arabia\u2019s remarkable transformation through sport has accelerated and the nation\u2019s openness and collaboration with the world has advanced, Jeddah has assumed a starring role in the Kingdom\u2019s evolution, emerging as one of the Middle East\u2019s new homes of sport in the process.<\/p>\n

\nA sports events epicenter<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\nFor a better understanding of Jeddah\u2019s rise to stardom on the regional sporting stage, one can look back to 2016 when \u2018Vision 2030\u2019 was launched.<\/p>\n

\nThe Kingdom\u2019s strategic plan for nationwide transformation, Vision 2030 is the embodiment of the Kingdom\u2019s plan not only for achieving economic diversification, but also implementing far-reaching social and lifestyle changes by promoting physical wellbeing through the staging of sporting events.<\/p>\n

\nSports have always been embraced by the Saudi and wider Middle Eastern communities \u2013 and Jeddah has tapped into the limitless potential of these markets in recent years, flourishing as a modern sports events and entertainment hub.<\/p>\n

\nNationally, Saudi Arabia\u2019s sports event industry is growing by 8% per year and will reach $3.3 billion by 2024 \u2013 a $1.2 billion increase from $2.1 billion in 2018.<\/p>\n

\nAnd crucially, Jeddah has made glowing contributions as an epicenter of activity, captivating audiences, inspiring new talent, ushering in a new era for Middle Eastern sport by hosting some world\u2019s biggest, most renowned events from across the sporting spectrum.<\/p>\n

\nMilestone moments for Jeddah<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\nWhile many milestones have co-written Jeddah\u2019s \u2018new home of sport in Middle East\u2019 journey thus far, the Italian Super Cup is certainly a shining example.<\/p>\n

\nHaving signed a deal with the Italian football league to host three of the next five editions of the competition, Jeddah hosted the 31 st edition in 2018 with over 61,000 in attendance at King Abdullah Sports City as Juventus faced AC Milan.<\/p>\n

\nInterest in football has always been high across Saudi Arabia, and the success of this event paved the way for Jeddah\u2019s hosting of the Spanish Super Cup in January 2020.<\/p>\n

\nMore than 158,000 spectators attended three matches at King Abdullah Sports City as Real Madrid won the competition.<\/p>\n

\nYet sport does, of course, come in many forms, and football is one of many to recently descend on the Red Sea coastal city.<\/p>\n

\nAnother with extensive global gravitas is F1, which made its way to Jeddah with the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021.<\/p>\n

\nA mainstay of the F1 calendar moving forward, the second edition was held in March 2022<\/p>\n

\nas part of a $650 million 10-year agreement between the Kingdom and F1.<\/p>\n

\nMoreover, the recent sports events schedule has welcomed professional handball with the 2021 International Handball Federation (IHF) Men\u2019s Super Globe, more motorsport with the 2022 Dakar Rally, and basketball with back-to-back editions of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3×3 World Tour Final.<\/p>\n

\nEvents like these have generated widespread attention and acclaim; demonstrating the robust relationships Jeddah enjoys with the world\u2019s sporting communities, showcasing its blossoming reputation as a regional home for sports events, laying the foundations for long-term success.<\/p>\n

\nAs attentions turn to the future, Jeddah and sports are very much entwined, sure to scale even greater heights given upcoming events, infrastructure development, and invaluable momentum from the latest high profile boxing event to grace Saudi shores.<\/p>\n

\nForging a lasting legacy<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\nThe eyes of the world most recently turned to Jeddah this past Saturday, Aug. 20, for the \u2018Rage on the Red Sea\u2019, the biggest international boxing event of 2022, as unified world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk defended his titles against former two-time titleholder Anthony Joshua in front of a sold-out crowd.<\/p>\n

\nThe match-up lived up its billing as perhaps the most anticipated rematch in boxing history at King Abdullah Sports City, further consolidating Jeddah\u2019s regional sporting host leadership, leaving behind a legacy for future events to emulate.<\/p>\n

\nOne upcoming event already drawing similar pre-Rage on the Red Sea excitement levels is the first LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah, with three days of non-stop action in store as some of world golf\u2019s biggest names compete at the Royal Green Golf & Country Club.<\/p>\n

\nThe development of golf at the local level echoes that of sporting infrastructure, with sports events of tomorrow sure to be held at a new stadium set to be built by Jeddah Central Development Company as part of a $20 billion project.<\/p>\n

\nWith all these scenarios is mind, Jeddah\u2019s status as a new home of sport in the Middle East is assured rather than speculative; a title the city can proudly hold for generations to come.<\/p>\n