Title:Saudi sports sector offers vast investment potential

JEDDAH — A workshop organized by the Makkah Economic Forum has highlighted huge investment opportunities in the Saudi sports sector that can contribute to the growth of the national economy and create plenty of new jobs for the youth in the Kingdom.

麦加经济论坛举办的一个研讨会强调了沙特体育部门的巨大投资机会，这些投资能够为国民经济的增长做出贡献，并为沙特的青年创造大量新的就业机会。

Addressing the workshop titled, 'Generation 2030: Opportunities for Innovation in the Sportstainment Economy', Lina Khaled Almaeena, member of the Shoura Council, pointed out that major transformations inspired by Vision 2030 have opened up new business avenues in the sports sector.

在舒拉理事会成员林纳·哈立德·阿拉梅纳题为"2030年一代：体育经济创新机会"的讲习班上发言，指出由《2030年远景规划》激励的重大变革为体育部门开辟了新的商业渠道。

She said prospects for growth have increased substantially in the wake of landmark decisions such as permitting Saudi women to attend matches in stadiums, introducing physical education classes at public schools for girls, and issuing licenses to open women gyms and sports centers. Lina called on investors to translate these opportunities into successful projects focused on women and children segments of the society.

她说，由于作出了一些具有里程碑意义的决定，例如允许沙特妇女到体育场参加比赛并在公立学校为女孩开设体育课，增长前景大大增强，并颁发了开设妇女健身房和体育中心的许可证，Lina呼吁投资者将这些机会转化为以社会妇女和儿童为重点的成功项目。

Prince Bandar Al Saud, Chairman and Co-founder of Crescent Technologies KSA, explained that sports sector needs to be viewed beyond sporting activities such as football and basketball. He drew attention to lucrative business opportunities in sports related areas such as creating specially designed abayas that women can use for fitness activities, including walking. Selling food and drinks during sports events at stadiums is another opportunity, he added.

红新月技术公司KSA董事长兼联合创始人Bandar Al Saud亲王解释说，体育部门需要超越足球和篮球等体育活动。他提请注意在体育相关领域创造利润丰厚的商业机会，如专门设计妇女可用于健身活动，包括步行。他补充道，在体育场里卖食品和饮料是又一个机会。

Ziad Jarrar, Founder and Chief Design Officer at Taurus.com, said empowering people to apply for licenses to open sports centers and projects will create a strong social influence and increase people awareness about attractive opportunities that did not exist earlier in the sector.

Ziad Jarrar, Taurus.com创始人和设计主任，他说，赋予人们申请开放性体育中心和项目许可的权利，将产生强大的社会影响，并提高人们对该部门早期没有的吸引力机会的认识。

Some of the economic opportunities discussed during the workshop included sports management, sports event organization and sponsorship, snacks for athletes, educational courses on food, therapy and sports injuries, sportswear, women's sports accessories which reflect the national identity, performance measurement center, sports tourism and sports equipment manufacturing.

讲习班期间讨论的一些经济机会包括体育管理、体育赛事组织和赞助、为运动员提供小吃、关于食品、治疗和体育创伤的教育课程、体育服装、娱乐等。

The speakers also gave useful tips to young entrepreneurs, sharing insights into the challenges they themselves faced when they started their businesses and how they overcame those hurdles. They urged Saudi youth interested in investing in the sector to focus on niche areas and identify the services or products which people actually require. Calling on entrepreneurs to search for new and innovative ideas in the sector, they described a successful business as one that offers efficient solutions and added-value to the society.

发言者还向青年企业家提供了有用的信息，分享了他们自己创业时面临的挑战以及如何克服这些障碍的见解。他们敦促有意投资该部门的沙特青年将重点放在特殊领域，并确定人们实际需要的服务或产品。他们呼吁企业家在该部门寻找新的和创新的想法，他们称成功的商业为社会提供有效的解决办法和增值。

The workshop was held as part of a series of activities lined up by the Makkah Economic Forum across the entire year to involve the private sector as an active partner in the region's development programs and help realize the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. — SG

该讲习班是作为麦加经济论坛全年所共同开展的一系列活动的一部分举办的，目的是让私营部门作为该区域发展方案的积极伙伴，并帮助实现沙特2030年愿景的目标。