https://arab.news/rvner
RIYADH: Mayor of Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf attended the Egyptian embassy ceremony for Egypt’s national day on Tuesday.
At the ceremony at the Palace of Culture, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh, Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz was received by the Egyptian ambassador to the Kingdom, Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq, and several officials, state news agency SPA reported on Wednesday.
DIRIYAH: The countdown to the start of the third Saudi Games got underway on Thursday night as the torch relay began its journey from Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah.
Athletes and officials came together as the flame — a symbol of unity and ambition — was passed from Diriyah Governor Prince Fahd bin Saad to Ahmed Eid, the first elected president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, and on to taekwondo champion Dunya Abu Taleb.
“It’s an indescribable feeling, honestly, to carry the torch and put my thumbprint on a championship like this,” the Olympian told Arab News.
The relay will take the flame on a 30-day, 3,500 km journey through 17 cities across the Kingdom before arriving in Riyadh for the start of the Games proper.
This year’s competition coincides with the Year of the Camel, an animal that stands as a pillar of nation’s identity and culture and blends well with the torch’s message of friendship, peace and faith in the future.
When asked how it felt to to receive the torch from Prince Fahd, Eid said: “My feelings didn’t start today, they started early in my life when I carried the Saudi Arabian flag for the first time. And the pride I have felt since to have carried it three times in a row.
“Today I felt a deep trust between generations, between ideologies. The ideologies today are different than those around 50 years ago. Today, we see the vision of a nation, the vision of an inspired prince,” he told Arab News.
“Sport is growth and that growth happens in competition. And the competition begins next week.”
The 2024 Saudi Games begin in October 3rd and will feature more than 9,000 athletes competing in 53 sports. The event will also feature seven Paralympic sports, 11 exhibition sports and 15 youth sports.
Eid said he was most looking forward to watching the football competition as the game “is my soul,” but was also keen on combat sports and had watched all of Abu Taleb’s contests.
When asked what advice she would give to aspiring athletes, the taekwondo champion said: “Be ambitious … I hope that no player ever gets discouraged, and starts dreaming today and achieves all their dreams.”
JEDDAH: Dr. Dina Altayeb, a seasoned triathlete, is on a mission to conquer the world of sports, one race at a time.
Her recent participation in the iconic Challenge Roth in Germany in July is just the first stop on a busy racing schedule that will take her to Canada, Spain, and ultimately, the 70.3 Ironman Championship in New Zealand.
Speaking about her Challenge Roth participation, Altayab called it an incredible experience.
“The atmosphere was electric, and the support from the crowd was overwhelming. It’s a race that truly lives up to its reputation. It includes a 3.8 km swim, a 180 km bike ride, and a 42 km marathon run, known for its great organization. It’s a commitment, requiring a nine-month training plan.”
Altayeb, who is a periodontist and implantologist with over two decades of experience, shared the welcoming and enthusiastic German culture at Challenge Roth, a race that had been on her bucket list for years.
“The community in Roth embraces the race wholeheartedly. It’s truly a town-wide event,” she said.
• Dr. Dina Altayeb is a periodontist and implantologist with over two decades of experience.
• Her ultimate goal is the 70.3 Ironman Championship in New Zealand in December.
• She plans to continue mentoring aspiring Saudi athletes, sharing her experience and helping them excel in athletics.
While the language barrier posed a minor hurdle, Altayeb was able to effectively communicate with the locals, demonstrating her adaptability and resourcefulness.
With a busy racing schedule ahead, Altayeb is focused on her upcoming events in coming months.
“I aim to build my fitness steadily through smaller events leading up to my A races,” she said, outlining her strategic approach. “The Ironman Canada is a sentimental race for me, being my starting point in 2005. This year will be its last in Penticton, and I want to embrace the memories,” she added.
However, her ultimate goal is the 70.3 Ironman Championship in New Zealand in December. “Qualifying for this race was a dream come true. New Zealand is a stunning country, and I can’t wait to experience the race there,” said Altayeb. She plans to arrive early in New Zealand to acclimate to the time zone, research the weather, and familiarize herself with the terrain, showcasing her dedication to thorough preparation.
Beyond her personal accomplishments, Altayeb is passionate about the increasing participation of women in sports within Saudi Arabia.
“It’s truly inspiring to see the empowerment of women and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Sports bring happiness, a healthy mind and body, and ultimately, contribute to a more productive society,” she said. “My future goal in triathlon is to continue to compete, striving to be a better athlete every day while achieving a healthy balance between training, work, and family.”
With a strong message for young Saudi women aspiring to follow in her footsteps, Altayeb concluded: “Take the first step, commit to your goals, and embrace your passion. There has never been a better time to be involved in sports.”
Altayeb plans to continue mentoring aspiring Saudi athletes, sharing her experience and helping them excel in athletics.
She has completed 22 full Ironman races and over 100 races in total. She holds the distinction of being the first Arab female and Saudi national to qualify and compete in the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, a feat accomplished in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023.
Altayeb is also the first Saudi to qualify and compete in the Half Ironman Championship multiple times, paving the way for other Saudi women in sports.
RIYADH: In the turquoise waters off Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast lies a hidden gem that is quickly gaining recognition as a sanctuary for one of the world’s most charismatic birds: The greater flamingo.
The Farasan Islands, an archipelago off the southwestern coast of Saudi Arabia, boast a biodiverse ecosystem that has attracted these elegant creatures for decades.
While the Kingdom is often associated with desert landscapes, the Farasan Islands present a stark contrast — a lush haven that plays host to thousands of migratory birds each year, including the iconic flamingo.
Saudi Arabia, through its National Center for Wildlife, or NCW, has undertaken efforts to conserve and protect its greater flamingo population as part of a broader commitment to preserve its natural heritage and promote biodiversity in line with Vision 2030.
The NCW, in collaboration with local authorities, has implemented environmental regulations and established protected habitats to ensure the safety and sustainability of these migratory birds.
These include a ban on hunting and the designation of wetland areas as protected zones, and measures to prevent collisions with high-voltage power lines.
• Flamingos are social birds that live in large colonies often consisting of thousands of birds.
• They have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years in the wild and even longer in captivity.
• Flamingos have a distinctive courtship display that involves movements and vocalizations to attract potential mates.
These efforts are seen as crucial in maintaining the delicate balance of the Farasan Islands’ ecosystem, which supports not only flamingos but also a variety of other wildlife species.
The Farasan Islands are one of the largest island groups in the Red Sea, situated about 50 km off the coast of Jazan.
The archipelago consists of more than 170 islands, characterized by their coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds, which provide essential habitats for a diverse range of marine and terrestrial species.
Flamingos are attracted to the shallow, saline lagoons of the Farasan Islands, where they can feed on a diet rich in shrimp, algae and other small organisms. More than 4,000 flamingos have been observed there during the migration season.
“They begin to appear along the coasts of the Kingdom and in the Farasan Islands at the start of winter, by the end of November, and continue until the end of winter,” Mohammed Shobrak, a bird expert and adviser to the NCW, told Arab News.
“Their numbers vary during the migration season in the Farasan Islands. They are more commonly found along the coasts than in the islands.”
The islands offer a relatively safe haven for the flamingos, with minimal human disturbance and ample space for the birds to roost and forage.
The greater flamingo is the largest and most widespread species of flamingo, found across Africa, southern Europe and South Asia. These birds are known for their striking pink plumage, which they acquire from their diet.
“The substance responsible for this color is beta-carotene, which is found in algae and crustaceans,” Shobrak said.
“Variations in the levels of this substance in food across different regions may cause color differences, and the physiology of the species may also contribute to these variations among flamingo birds that share the same types of food.
“Additionally, another behavioral study on groups in the Americas indicates that birds with brighter pink-orange colors tend to be more aggressive while feeding.”
This section contains relevant reference points, placed in (Opinion field)
While flamingos are not permanent residents of the Farasan Islands, they migrate to the region during the winter months, attracted by the warm climate and rich feeding grounds.
Each year, thousands of greater flamingos make the journey from their breeding grounds in Africa and southern Europe to the coasts of Saudi Arabia.
The Farasan Islands, with their extensive wetlands and shallow lagoons, provide an ideal stopover for these birds during their long migration.
While flamingos do not breed on the islands, they spend several months there, feeding and building up their strength before continuing their journey.
The beauty and ecological significance of the Farasan Islands has not gone unnoticed.
“Horizon,” a new documentary produced by the Konoz Initiative, highlights the rich biodiversity of Saudi Arabia, with a special focus on the Farasan Islands and their flamingo population.
The documentary is part of a broader effort to raise awareness about Saudi Arabia’s natural heritage and the importance of conservation.
“Horizon” provides viewers with a rare glimpse into the lives of flamingos on the Farasan Islands, showcasing their feeding habits, social behaviors and interactions with the environment.
The film also explores the broader ecosystem of the islands, highlighting the coral reefs, mangroves and other critical habitats that support a wide range of species.
Through stunning visuals and expert commentary, “Horizon” brings the beauty of the Farasan Islands to a global audience, emphasizing the need for continued conservation efforts in the region.
Saudi Arabia’s efforts to protect the greater flamingo and other wildlife on the Farasan Islands are part of a larger commitment to environmental sustainability.
The Kingdom has made significant strides in recent years to enhance its conservation policies, including the establishment of protected areas and the enforcement of strict environmental regulations.
These measures are in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 social reform and economic diversification agenda, which seeks to promote sustainable development and preserve the nation’s natural resources for future generations.
In addition to protecting flamingos, Saudi Arabia has taken steps to conserve other endangered species on the Farasan Islands, including gazelles and green turtles.
The islands are home to a variety of marine life, including dolphins, dugongs and a wide range of fish species, all of which benefit from the Kingdom’s conservation initiatives.
Conservation efforts, coupled with increased awareness and education, are helping to ensure that flamingoes and other species will continue to grace the shores of the islands for years to come.
RIYADH: The Saudi ambassador to Egypt received a delegation of the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association at the Cairo embassy on Friday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The scouts had been participating at the 43rd World Scout Conference, which was being held in the Egyptian capital and finished on Friday.
During the reception, Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini praised the contributions of the association in supporting scouting efforts in its various fields at international forums.
The delegation reviewed the participation of the Saudi Scouts Association in the conference and its experiences during the event.
The reception was also attended by the deputy ambassador, Abdulrahman bin Salem Al-Dahas.
RIYADH: Farmers from across Tayma have been showing off the latest techniques in cultivation and crop development at the Agricultural Products Festival, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The region is known for its fertile soil, abundant water supply and favorable climate, all of which contribute to the farmers’ success.
Farmer Mosnet bin Srour Al-Sharari said he took advantage of the local conditions and techniques to cultivate his arak trees, whose twigs can be chewed to help with dental care.
“I successfully created the ideal conditions for cultivating the arak tree using greenhouses,” Al-Sharari said.
“To ensure the tree’s straight growth, I planted it through pipes. The miswak I’ve harvested from these trees is of a quality equal to that produced in the hot, humid environments where it traditionally thrives.”
Hassan bin Yahya Al-Timawi shared his success in rice cultivation, with a project he launched more than 18 years ago. He began growing the crop for his own consumption but such was his success that he now grows multiple varieties.
He said the nutrient-rich soil of Tayma was ideal for cultivating a wide range of crops.
