His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Sports, received His Royal Highness Prince William, Prince of Wales and Crown Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in an official visit that reflects the depth of the historical relations between the two friendly countries.
The Minister of Sports accompanied his distinguished guest on an extensive field tour of the “Sports Track” project in the capital, Riyadh, where Prince William was briefed on the details of this ambitious project and its diverse components, and listened to a detailed explanation of its strategic objectives, which aim to enhance the quality of life and support healthy lifestyles, in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The importance of the sports track project in Vision 2030
The Riyadh Sports Track project is one of four major projects launched for the city of Riyadh by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. It receives direct attention and follow-up from His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister , in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Riyadh Sports Track Foundation. The project aims to transform Riyadh into an open-air art gallery, connecting the city's east and west via a 135-kilometer track linking Wadi Hanifa and Wadi Al-Sulai, thus making it a vital artery for sports and recreation.
This tour highlights the tireless efforts of the Kingdom, under the leadership of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to raise the ranking of Riyadh among its counterparts in the world’s cities, by providing a sustainable urban environment that encourages residents and visitors to exercise and follow healthy lifestyles. The project includes pedestrian, bicycle, and horse riding paths, in addition to vast green spaces and sites for artistic and cultural events.
Dimensions of the visit and bilateral relations
Prince William's visit is of particular importance, as it comes within the framework of witnessing the qualitative leap and major development projects taking place in the Kingdom, which represent a global model for sustainable urban development. The visit also reflects the British side's interest in the positive transformations in the Kingdom, particularly in the areas of environment, sports, and sustainability—areas that align with the interests of the Prince of Wales, who is known for his activism in environmental and climate protection issues.
The sports track project is tangible evidence of the Kingdom’s commitment to achieving a balance between urban development and environmental preservation, which contributes to raising the quality of life for residents and visitors alike, and enhances Riyadh’s position as a leading global destination in the field of tourism, sports and entertainment.
