Who’s Who: Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi sports minister and president of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal
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Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal was recently appointed president of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees for 2021-2024.

Prince Abdulaziz is also president of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation and the Arab Football Federation.

Born on Jan. 4, 1983, Prince Abdulaziz is an athlete and talented entrepreneur.

He spent most of his childhood in Europe, where he pursued an active lifestyle and was introduced to motor sports at an early age.

Prince Abdulaziz also served as the vice chairman of the General Sports Authority.

He completed a bachelor’s degree in politics from King Saud University in 2003 and went on to obtain a further degree in politics from SOAS University of London in 2006.

He also studied marketing at the College of Business Administration in Jeddah from 2006 to 2010.

Additionally, he graduated from the Formula BMW Racing School in Bahrain in 2005.

Prince Abdulaziz has taken part in many motor racing events. He has won several titles, including the Porsche GT3 Championship in 2012 (first place), Toyo Tires Cup in Dubai (first place), Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, Formula BMW Bahrain, ADAC GT Masters Round, Porsche GT3 CCME (which he won 9 times), Radical Masters AUH round (second place), 24H Dubai race and other 24H Series races.

He also took part in the Gulf 12 Hours twice, placing first in 2014 and second in 2015. He has succeeded outside the Middle East, winning the first race in the FIA GT3 in Portugal in 2011.

Prince Abdulaziz is the first Saudi to have taken part in a GT3 European championship race.