Fireworks and drone shows depicting the long-lasting golden World Cup trophy lit up the Riyadh skyline Wednesday night time as Saudi Arabia formally secured the internet hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
The announcement, although anticipated, marked a big milestone within the kingdom’s ambitions to ascertain itself as a worldwide sports activities powerhouse.
Pride and celebration
Despite Saudi Arabia being the only real candidate since final 12 months, the formal affirmation by FIFA spurred grand celebrations throughout the Gulf kingdom.
On Tahliah Street in Riyadh, inexperienced flags emblazoned with the sword of Saudi Arabia fluttered within the breeze, whereas the phrases “Welcoming the World 2034” illuminated skyscrapers in Arabic.
“I used to dream of attending the World Cup, but the logistics were always an obstacle,” mentioned 44-year-old civil servant Abdulrahman al-Shehri. “Now, the dream has come true with the World Cup being organized in Saudi Arabia. I will plan to watch most of the matches from the stadium. The tournament is close to home now.”
For others like 35-year-old Khaled al-Azza, internet hosting the match epitomized the dominion’s rising capabilities. “Not long ago, such an idea seemed far-fetched. Now, there is nothing impossible for Saudis,” he mentioned.
Vision 2030
The World Cup’s arrival in Saudi Arabia is deeply intertwined with Vision 2030, a sweeping reform agenda spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The initiative seeks to diversify the oil-dependent financial system by investing in tourism, tradition, and sports activities.
As a part of this technique, Saudi Arabia has already staged high-profile occasions like Formula One races, worldwide boxing matches, and tennis tournaments.
“Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2034 represents an important opportunity to highlight the continuous progress that the Kingdom has been experiencing,” mentioned the official Saudi Press Agency.
Crown Prince Mohammed underscored the nation’s dedication to soccer’s world improvement, describing the occasion as a platform to advertise “love, peace, and tolerance.”
Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal echoed this sentiment. “Saudi Arabia is opening up to the world,” he mentioned in a televised message, including that the dominion goals to “create new opportunities for growth and reach new audiences in new ways.”
Challenges and aspirations
While the celebratory temper swept by way of Riyadh, challenges loom massive.
The Saudi bid doc highlights the necessity for 14 stadiums able to seating at the least 40,000 spectators.
Currently, the nation has solely two such amenities: Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Riyadh’s King Fahd International Stadium.
Ziad bin Nahit, 48, acknowledged the enormity of the duty, noting it might surpass the hassle required by Qatar, which hosted the 2022 World Cup. “We are not only talking about the World Cup,” he mentioned. “We are talking about organizing Expo 2030 and hosting other global events. It is a matter of pride.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com