JEDDAH, 30 June 2006 — Saudi Arabia’s motor sport and entertainment sector got a major boost on Wednesday night when Presidency of Youth Welfare Vice President Prince Nawaf ibn Faisal opened ‘IN 10 SO’ Entertainment Center at Serafi mega mall.
“I’ve visited many parts of the world, but the center I see today has no parallel,” the prince told reporters after he was conducted on a tour of the center. “This is a unique center with so many activities that can keep young Saudis involved and entertained. This will go a long way in promoting youth activities, especially motor sport,” the prince said and congratulated Ace Rally Driver Abdullah Bakhashab for establishing the center and providing state-of-the-art equipment.
Described as the biggest indoor excitement center, the IN 10 SO (The Real You) is a new facility that had its soft opening eight months ago. “The 8,500 square meter center has brought adult entertainment and group events to a new level,” said Bakhashab who nurtured a dream from his childhood to create a ‘ first of its kind’ center. He also gave a presentation on the center and its activities.
“The center is being visited daily by 100 to 500 youths,” its Assistant General Manager Hussam Masri said. They entertain themselves with various indoor activities, which include karting, archery, airgun, wall climbing, bullet car, bowling, pool tables, arcades with a variety of video games simulators, net games, playstations and webzone.
The 280 m karting track has 30 European-style go-karts with up to 35 km/h speed, remote speed control on all karts and state-of-the-art electronic scoring and timing system, all supervised by a team of marshals under a professional race director to ensure maximum on-track safety.
Its indoor archery wing has 10 shooting lanes and indoor airgun corner has five shooting lanes with an automatic target system. The center’s indoor climbing zone has seven different climbing lanes. One can get the feel of F1 acceleration in its bullet car area. The center is also equipped with a 10-lane state-of-the-art cosmic bowling area with electronic scoring and display.
It has 16 stations for games. The playstation game can be enjoyed on a 50-inch plasma screen. High-speed Internet connection is also offered.
The center has been conducting various group events including karting endurance race, archery and air gun competition, climbing team challenge, F1 wheel change, arcade and playstation league, bowling and pool entertainment.
“I’ve been a tremendous fan of F1 and enjoy myself on the karting track here,” Muhammad Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, a Saudi student said.
“I enjoy my bullet car rides, as this gives me the F1 acceleration,” said Marwan Mahdi, a student of King Abdul Aziz University.
Mobil 1, Toyota, Bridgestone, Panasonic and Red Bull are among its sponsors.
