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Saudi tourism authority partners with Indian Premier League
Mumbai : The TATA Indian Premier League ( IPL) and the Saudi tourism authority (STA) have officially partnered. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah, vice president Rajeev Shukla, honorary treasurer Ashish Shelar, and representatives from the Saudi Tourism Authority, including APAC president Alhasan Aldabbagh attended an event today in Mumbai to officially launch the partnership.
One of the most popular sports in the world is cricket. Through this collaboration, STA hopes to capitalise on the two nations’ substantial fan bases, foster affinities, and raise awareness of Saudi Arabia as a top tourist destination for Indians, particularly among young people. India’s demographics are comparable to those of Saudi Arabia, where 58 percent of the local population falls within the same age range, with more than half of its people being under the age of 30.
India has enormous potential as part of Saudi Arabia’s tourism strategy, as it is expected to be the country’s largest tourism source market by 2030. The collaboration exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the country’s sports sector. Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen its market position, and it expects to welcome more than two million visitors from India this year.
The IPL is one of the most important events on the international sporting calendar, and the partnership adds to STA’s growing portfolio of global strategic partnerships. Partnerships like the IPL are an important part of Saudi Arabia’s tourism strategy because they bring together fans, athletes, and nations while also pique the interest of those who want to be among the first to visit Saudi Arabia.
The dynamic partnership builds on Saudi Arabia’s history and love of cricket, which began with the establishment of the first governing cricket body in 2003. The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) was established in 2020, and it currently oversees 16 regional associations in 11 cities, has 8,000+ registered players, 400+ registered clubs, and 35,000 participants in domestic cricket tournaments and championships. The Saudi cricket national team is currently ranked 32nd out of 180 cricket nations.
Saudi Tourism Authority CEO and Member of the board Fahd Hamidaddin said, “India and Saudi share a vibrant youth culture and sport is an ideal platform to engage and inspire young people. Saudi is committed to supporting excellence in the world of sport and inspiring greater participation and improved quality of life among Saudi and global audiences alike. Sport, like tourism, brings people together in harmony and fellowship, bridging cultures and sharing perspectives on the world around us. These values are central to Saudi culture and are championed by young people from all around the world.”
Saudi Tourism Authority APAC President Alhasan Aldabbagh said, “As part of our global marketing strategy, the Indian subcontinent region is a key market for STA and we are continually enhancing ways in which we can excite tourists from these countries and welcome them to Saudi. We are delighted to announce our partnership with IPL, because we know how important cricket is to our visitors from South Asia.
Through our partnership with IPL, we aim to increase Saudi’s presence and appeal in the Indian and South Asian markets. We are excited to show prospective South Asian visitors why they should consider Saudi not only as their next holiday destination, but also as a viable sports destination as we play host to prominent sports and entertainment events such as Formula One, WWE, and the Spanish Super Cup.”
BCCI secretary, Jay Shah said, “Over the years, we have seen the Indian Premier League emerge as a dominant force at the global stage, generating strong appeal in the sporting ecosystem. For us, it’s an exciting prospect that Saudi Tourism Authority has immense faith in the power of IPL to bring countries together. We believe that the partnership will help promote Saudi’s unique and diverse offering and position it as the leading leisure and tourism destination in the world. This partnership will create newer opportunities for cricket in Saudi and strengthen the sport in the region.”
BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla said, “We are pleased to welcome Saudi Tourism Authority on board as an official sponsor for the 2023 edition of the IPL. The IPL partnership is a powerful channel to engage with its vast audience and support Saudi Tourism Authority’s objective of creating brand awareness in India as well as among the fans from the entire cricketing world. We hope that through this partnership, we inspire and grow the cricket fanbase in Saudi and in collaboration with STA, create exciting opportunities for them to engage with the game.”
BCCI honorary treasurer Ashish Shelar said “Our association with the Saudi Tourism Authority is a testament to the global appeal of the Indian Premier League. As each season passes by, the league has been consistently registering an uptick in its global fan base, expanding its geographical footprint. We believe this association will offer an opportunity for the sport to strengthen cricketing culture as well as the fan base in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are confident that this collaboration will prove to be fruitful.”
Saudi Arabia is a diverse destination with numerous cultural, historical, and religious sites. Saudi recently announced that Indian visitors are eligible for the Stopover Visa, which allows passengers flying to a final destination on SAUDIA or Flynas to spend up to 96 hours in Saudi Arabia. A free hotel night on Saudia is included.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
