Majed Al Sorour, chief executive of the Saudi Golf Federation and Golf Saudi today gave the opening keynote speech of the inaugural Golf Saudi Summit to outline Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become recognised as the most innovative market in the sport within the next 10 years.
Delivering his address to the first ever assembly of national and international stakeholders in the Kingdom, following the conclusion of the Saudi International, Al Sorour said: “It gives me great pleasure to be able to welcome you all to Saudi Arabia and to discuss something that is very close to my heart, the great game of golf. Golf requires commitment. Dedication to mastering the basics. The sport demands self-governance, etiquette, discipline and self-governance. As a result of these values, I want golf to become part of the fabric of modern-day Saudi Arabia.”
The inaugural Golf Saudi Summit will allow delegates the chance to learn more about golf’s rapid growth within the Kingdom while evolving key business relations. In the coming days, attendees will see first-hand how the nation has taken major strides in golf development through Golf Saudi’s commitment to creating a new ecosystem, which has focussed on Golf Saudi’s five key development pillars: Access and Infrastructure, Events, National Team and Academies, Mass Participation and Tourism.
His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the Chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation and Golf Saudi, said: “Under the vision of His Royal Highness Mohammed Bin Salman, the nation has taken the boldest steps in its history.” Al Sorour continued. “We have laid out major plans for the socio-economic growth and development of the Kingdom; in tourism, commerce, investment and the entertainment sectors The nation has taken its boldest step and is very much open for business. These are hugely exciting times. I have a number of over-arching aspirations for golf in the Kingdom, but fundamentally I want golf to help develop the leaders of tomorrow, in government, in business and in all walks of life.”
Al Sorour added: “During this week’s inaugural Golf Saudi Summit, we are hoping we that our conversations can play a significant role in shaping our collective vision for golf in Saudi Arabia. We want to debate how we drive true golfing success in Saudi Arabia. How we introduce the game at every level. To children and to adults, to men and to women, right across the Kingdom.”
With the Golf Saudi Summit officially starting yesterday during the final day of the European Tour showpiece event held at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, delegates also experienced the world’s best players going head-to-head. Going into the last day of the tournament, a tense final round was played out with Graeme McDowell securing a two-shot victory over defending champion Dustin Johnson.
Other headline names speaking at this week’s Summit include Gary Player, Greg Norman, Robert Trent Jones Jnr, and Tim Schantz, CEO of Troon.
For further information on the Golf Saudi Summit, please visit: www.golfsaudisummit.com.