RIYADH, 11 February 2004 — The heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, who arrived in the Kingdom on Monday from Iran, yesterday inaugurated a basketball course for the disabled in Riyadh.
The course, part of the joint Saudi-British sports and youth welfare program run by the General Presidency of Youth Welfare and UK defense company BAE Systems, is being held at the Saudi Sports Federation for Special Needs complex.
Prince Charles, accompanied by Prince Sultan ibn Fahd, president of Youth Welfare Presidency, watched two teams being trained under the course.
Prince Charles tossed a basketball in the air to start the coaching session and afterward spoke to the disabled players. He was presented with a signed shirt to mark the event.
British Ambassador Sherard Cowper-Coles, who was in the royal delegation, claimed that the sports cooperation program between Britain and Saudi Arabia was “one of the best” in the Middle East.
“In these times when the differences between Saudi and Britain are often highlighted it is always good to remember that programs such as these continue seamlessly and help to build understanding between the peoples of Saudi Arabia and Britain.”
Two British basketball coaches, Paul Hudson and Malcolm Tarkenter, have been coaching the disabled teams as part of the program.
Prince Charles was later briefed by Nasser Al-Saleh, secretary-general for the Special Needs Association, and Peter Waddell, the BAE Systems manager who directs the coordination of the joint sports agreement which includes friendly matches and training camps, coach education programs, sports medicine initiatives, sports development, administration and organization, and sports-for-all programs.
Prince Charles also held a meeting yesterday with a small group of Saudis including business personalities. He is expected to remain in the Kingdom for another day attending private functions.
