Who’s Who: Fahad Alhagbani, co-founder and CEO of Armah Sports Co.

Fahad Alhagbani
Fahad Alhagbani
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Updated 13 May 2024
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Who’s Who: Fahad Alhagbani, co-founder and CEO of Armah Sports Co.

Fahad Alhagbani

Fahad Alhagbani is vice chair and CEO at Armah Sports Co. where, since January 2019, he has been responsible for guiding the organization toward innovation in the fitness industry.

He co-founded Fitness Time in 2006, and by 2018, under his leadership, it had grown from one club to the largest chain in the Middle East and the 15th worldwide with 150 clubs. He was its CEO between 2015 and 2018.

After a successful IPO (initial public offering) for Fitness Time on the Saudi Stock Exchange in September 2018, he launched Armah Sports Co, reinventing fitness with the “Smart Clubs” concept to transform the market.

In November 2023, Alhagbani led the IPO for Armah Sports, setting a precedent in the fitness industry by launching two fitness chains and taking them public with only a five-year window between the two IPOs.

He has been a board member at Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club since July 2023, a member of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic for Women in Sports Committee since June 2023, and a member of REX Roundtables for Executives since 2017, a worldwide group of 17 fitness club owners and CEOs who meet regularly to exchange insights, evaluate business performance, and discuss future industry disruptions.

With more than 25 years in the fitness industry, Alhagbani’s interest lies in creating social impact, championing healthy living, and advocating for social responsibility.

He is invested in exploring innovations and leading programs focused on development and transition within the sector.

His career in the fitness industry began in 1996, starting from a receptionist position at Body Masters, which was founded by his brother Abdulmohsen Alhagbani, and advancing to become the director of operations.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer and IT administration and management from King Saud University. He is currently pursuing an executive MBA from HEC Paris, specializing in board governance.

 


Saudi leadership offers condolences to Chinese president for earthquake victims

Saudi leadership offers condolences to Chinese president for earthquake victims
Updated 52 sec ago
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Saudi leadership offers condolences to Chinese president for earthquake victims

Saudi leadership offers condolences to Chinese president for earthquake victims
  • A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit southwest China, leaving more than 120 people dead and over 100 injured

RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed their condolences in separate messages to Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the victims of the earthquake that hit Dingri County in the Xizang Region of southwest China.

The Saudi leadership extended heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to the Chinese president and the families of those who died in the natural disaster, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

On Tuesday, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit southwest China, leaving more than 120 people dead and over 100 injured.


Citrus festival shows agricultural diversity, economic potential in Najran

Citrus festival shows agricultural diversity, economic potential in Najran
Updated 08 January 2025
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Citrus festival shows agricultural diversity, economic potential in Najran

Citrus festival shows agricultural diversity, economic potential in Najran
  • The festival is a vibrant platform for displaying Najran’s agricultural potential

RIYADH: The 14th Najran National Citrus Festival highlights the region’s agricultural investment and marketing diversity, which offers economic returns for farmers and investors alike, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The festival at King Abdulaziz Park walkway in Najran is organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the region.

Participants including farmers, agricultural experts and investors showed innovative solutions and highlighted the region’s robust citrus production.

Hamad Al-Dakman, the director of the agricultural prevention and guidance department at the National Center for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development, Estidamah, in an interview with SPA emphasized the center’s role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

By selecting optimal plant seeds and trees, the center aims to enhance citrus production efficiency while advancing water and energy conservation technologies, Al-Dakman said.

He noted the importance of knowledge transfer and partnerships in supporting the agricultural sector, aligning with the Kingdom’s food-security goals.

Similarly, Najran Association Green’s chairman, Raf’an Al-Amer underscored the association’s efforts to expand vegetation cover, having planted more than 60,000 trees in the past four years.

Plans are underway to plant an additional 500,000 trees by 2027 in collaboration with government and private entities, contributing to the Kingdom’s Green Vision, Al-Amer said.

Farmers and investors were enthusiastic about the festival.

Farmer Ibrahim Saleh Al-Sinan praised the event for addressing farmers’ needs, marketing their products, and allowing visitors to sample and purchase citrus fruits directly.

Agricultural investor Abdullah Fahd Al-Waili highlighted the region’s favorable conditions for citrus farming, including fertile soil, a suitable climate and water availability.

Al-Waili, whose farm in Khbash covers 4 million sq. meters with more than 50,000 citrus trees, noted the economic viability of agricultural investment in the region.

The festival is a vibrant platform for displaying Najran’s agricultural potential, supporting farmers, and driving sustainable agricultural development. 


Saudi fund commits $80m for cancer care expansion in Turkmenistan

Saudi fund commits $80m for cancer care expansion in Turkmenistan
Updated 08 January 2025
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Saudi fund commits $80m for cancer care expansion in Turkmenistan

Saudi fund commits $80m for cancer care expansion in Turkmenistan
  • The agreement reflects the Saudi fund’s commitment to supporting developing countries overcome obstacles to progress

 

RIYADH: CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development Sultan Al-Marshad signed an $80 million development loan agreement with Rahimberdi Jepbarov, chairman of the Turkmenistan State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs.

The financing supports a project to improve tumor treatment services and establish cancer treatment centers in Turkmenistan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Ambassador to Turkmenistan Said Osman Suwaid attended the event.

The project will enhance healthcare by building and equipping three specialized cancer treatment centers with up to 500 medical beds in different regions.

The centers will feature advanced medical equipment to improve healthcare quality, SPA added.

The agreement reflects the Saudi fund’s commitment to supporting developing countries overcome obstacles to progress.

It underscores the importance of international cooperation in achieving sustainable development and ensuring lasting prosperity, SPA reported.

During his visit to Turkmenistan, Al-Marshad also met with Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov to discuss strengthening development cooperation in various sectors.

Meanwhile, the Saudi fund’s Deputy CEO Faisal Al-Qahtani participated in the inauguration of the Busaiteen Bridge, part of the Bahrain Northern Road Project.

The $250 million project, funded through a grant from the Saudi government, aims to ease traffic congestion and boost investment and economic opportunities in Bahrain.

Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa attended the event.

The project is a vital part of Bahrain’s transportation infrastructure, with the Saudi fund collaborating closely with the Ministry of Works for its successful completion.

The Saudi fund’s partnership with Bahrain spans 48 years, during which it has financed 30 projects in sectors like energy, transportation, and social infrastructure. These initiatives have contributed to Bahrain’s sustainable development and economic growth.


Saudi authority expands effort to track food waste

Saudi authority expands effort to track food waste
Updated 08 January 2025
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Saudi authority expands effort to track food waste

Saudi authority expands effort to track food waste

RIYADH:  The General Food Security Authority has launched a second field survey to measure food loss and waste rates in Saudi Arabia.

The initiative is part of the National Program to Reduce Food Loss and Waste and aligns with efforts to promote food sustainability and support Vision 2030 objectives, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The authority’s governor, Ahmed Al-Faris, said that the second survey builds on the 2019 study, which established a baseline for the Food Loss and Waste Index.

The effort follows successful awareness campaigns in collaboration with key stakeholders that engaged public participation, the SPA added.

The new survey aims to analyze food loss and waste at all stages of the food supply chain, including production, importation, transportation, storage, distribution and consumption.

The authority will use the findings to develop solutions to improve food security, reduce environmental and economic impacts, and align the Kingdom’s practices with global sustainability standards.

This initiative is expected to provide more precise, updated data to create targeted strategies for reducing food loss and waste.


New deal will protect Saudi Arabia’s national heritage

New deal will protect Saudi Arabia’s national heritage
Updated 08 January 2025
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New deal will protect Saudi Arabia’s national heritage

New deal will protect Saudi Arabia’s national heritage

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Prosecution and the Heritage Commission have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their collaborative efforts when it comes to protecting and preserving the Kingdom’s identity.

The MoU includes exchanging information on protecting national heritage and combating violations of archaeological sites, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

The deal was signed by Turki Al-Dosari, assistant public prosecutor for investigation, and Jasser Al-Harbash, commission CEO, in the presence of officials and experts in the heritage sector and cultural property protection.

It also involves organizing awareness programs to educate the community about the importance of heritage preservation and the penalties for related offenses.

The partnership marks a strategic step toward establishing a comprehensive framework for protecting heritage sites. It seeks to enhance the Kingdom’s global status as a cultural heritage destination and reinforce its leadership in preserving national identity and history.