Oman Online News

International Sports Tournaments have become a Feature of the Country, Governor of Hail Region Says

Hail — Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Hail Region, stressed that international sports tournaments have become a feature of the country, thanks to the support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, noting that sports in general, and motorsports, in particular, enjoyed a great boost according to this support, stressing that Hail Toyota International Rally has gained an international status that enables it to attract international rally champions from various countries under the follow up of the Minister of Sports and president of Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF).

On behalf of the people of the region, and all fans of motorsports and motorcycles sports, the Governor of Hail Region, expressed sincere thanks and gratitude for the wise leadership, citing the launch of the 19th edition of Hail Toyota International upon continuous support and follow up of the Minister of Sports and President of SAMF and all agencies contributing to the success of the rally, people of the region, sponsors, partners and media outlets, guests and visitors who came from various countries.

He explained that this support enhanced Hail’s global presence at the World Rally Cup by hosting the first round, which will begin on Thursday, February 2. He said, “We stand a few steps away from a new start towards universality by hosting the first tour of the 2023 World Rally Cup, which marks an extension of efforts that began 18 years ago when the first rally race hosted by the Hail region was announced.” He added that Hail has all the factors, advantages and terrain that made it a destination for fans of rally racing, in addition to the organizational capacity of the people of the region and the infrastructure required to establish a global sporting activity, noting that the achievements of all these years with good planning, preparation and ethical values have enabled the region to assume a prestigious status at the level of motorsport locally and internationally, as well as at all other levels.

The governor of Hail said: “The rally is not just a two-day motor race. It is a continuous promotion of all elements of the region, including the place and humans, and acquainting others with all the features that Hail possesses including citizens and residents of the region, and utilizing its archaeological wealth and the environment,” noting that the rally over the past years yielded significant economic returns for the region and that heir impacts extended in conjunction with the Kingdom’s renaissance under the reign of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, which resulted in bringing the Toyota International Rally to the world making Hail and the Kingdom a unique and distinctive tourist destination.

He added: “In a short time, Hail hosted two world championships, the first being the World Cup, held at the end of 2022, and the second being Dakar Rally, and now we are preparing to host the first tour of the 2023 World Rally and we will continue to achieve this success via joint efforts with the Ministry of Sports and SAMF, praising the role of all rally committees and stressing that preparations have been completed for the full start of the tournament.

For his part, Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Hail, confirmed that holding the 19th edition of Hail Toyota International Rally, as the first round of the 2023 World Rally Cup confirms Hail global status and continued success, referring to the support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, who provided all necessary arrangements for the rally to be a Saudi organizational footprint with national cadres, followed up by the Governor of Hail and President of SAMF.

He praised the efforts and keenness of security apparatus as regards the safety and security of participants in the rally, which represents an extension of security personnel’s role under the follow-up and support of the Minister of Interior, referring to the integration of performance among various public departments and the private sector in the region and the dedication and keenness of members of the organizing committees to achieve better organizational levels, wishing racers safety and a happy stay in Hail.

Source: Saudi Press Agency