JEDDAH, 31 January 2003 — Saad ibn Faleh Al-Mahdi has been appointed editor in chief of Arriyadiah sports daily, a sister publication of Arab News. The appointment was made by Prince Faisal ibn Salman, chairman of Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG), a company statement said.
Al-Mahdi, a prominent Saudi journalist with more than 20 years experience, replaces Saleh Al-Hamadi, and will take charge tomorrow, the statement said. Al-Hamadi will continue to write for the group’s publications.
Prince Faisal thanked Al-Hamadi for “his sincere and distinguished” services to the group in various capacities, especially as editor in chief of Arriyadiah.
“Arriyadiah achieved record sales and strengthened its position as a leading Saudi and Arab sports newspaper during his tenure,” the chairman said.
Al-Hamadi began his carrier with SRMG in mid-1983 as a freelance journalist contributing reports and articles to Arab News and Asharq Al-Awsat before moving to be in charge of the company’s publications in Riyadh. He also worked as the editor in chief of “Furusiya Wa Sha’ir”, a magazine that focused on equestrian sports and poetry before appointment as Arriyadiah chief in 1996.
“Al-Mahdi is an outstanding Saudi journalist, having more than 20 years experience in sports reporting,” the company said. He had worked as head of the sports section of Masaiyyah evening newspaper and later as the daily’s managing director and editor in chief.
Other jobs held by Al-Mahdi includes deputy chief of the sports section at Al-Jazirah newspaper and director of the newspaper’s offices. Last year he was appointed deputy editor in chief of Arriyadiah. He has worked as acting editor in chief of the sports daily for the past six months.
