RIYADH: The Saudi Sports for All Federation, the national body responsible for advancing physical activity in Saudi Arabia, has concluded its participation in the 29th TAFISA World Congress in Prague.
The world congress, held from May 13-17, brought together 500-plus delegates from more than 80 countries to shape the future of grassroots sport. Policymakers, experts, and movement leaders from around the world exchanged insights on inclusive, community-driven sport and discussed shared priorities to boost physical activity globally.
SFA’s participation in the world congress built on SFA’s ongoing preparations to host the 8th TAFISA World Sport for All Games in Riyadh in 2028. The Games will celebrate movement, culture, and community on a global scale, reflecting the Kingdom’s growing leadership in the global sport for all movement.
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, president of the Saudi Sports for All Federation, said: “We took great pride in representing Saudi Arabia at the 29th TAFISA World Congress alongside fellow nations who share our commitment to physical activity and community sport. This gathering reflected the progress we have made in cultivating a national culture of activity — and the ambition that drives us. Through Vision 2030, we are building a society where an active lifestyle is accessible to every citizen, not just an aspiration.”
The Congress theme — “Sports for All: Building Bridges for Inclusion, Equity and Harmony” — aligned closely with SFA’s mission of uniting people through movement while celebrating diversity and preserving heritage.
In 2018, only 13 percent of the population met the national activity threshold of 30 minutes per week. By 2025, adult participation rose to 59.1 percent, driven by the adoption of international standards of 150 minutes per week for adults and 60 minutes per day for youth.
The SFA team, led by Prince Khaled, played an active role at the world congress, contributing to board meetings, panels, exhibitions, and the general assembly. The delegation highlighted Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global sport for all movement and its preparations for hosting the 2028 games in Riyadh.
Shaima Saleh Al-Husseini, managing director of the Saudi Sports for All Federation, said: “Attending the TAFISA World Congress marked an important milestone in our journey toward hosting the 8th TAFISA World Sport for All Games 2028. It reflected the Kingdom’s commitment to wellbeing, inclusive participation, and the unifying power of movement. As we look ahead to the 8th TAFISA World Sport for All Games 2028, we are proud to help shape a global future where sport is accessible to everyone, everywhere.”
Saudi Arabia will draw on its growing experience in delivering large, inclusive multi-sport events to welcome participants from more than 100 countries and more than 70,000 visitors during 2028 world games. Events such as SFA’s Riyadh Marathon — drawing over 50,000 participants — demonstrate the scale and enthusiasm of community engagement in Saudi Arabia.
The world games in 2028 will be delivered with a blend of sport, culture, food, music, and education, designed to welcome every age group, from children to seniors, and bring families and communities together in movement.
