Judy Murray, Garbine Muguruza conduct tennis clinic for Saudi kids

Judy Murray, Garbine Muguruza conduct tennis clinic for Saudi kids
Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray conducts a tennis clinic for children in Diriyah, as part of an initiative to grow the Saudi game. (AN photo: Abdulrahman Shalhoub)
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Updated 01 October 2024
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Judy Murray, Garbine Muguruza conduct tennis clinic for Saudi kids

Judy Murray, Garbine Muguruza conduct tennis clinic for Saudi kids
  • Event in Diriyah held ahead of WTA Finals in Riyadh in November
  • ‘It’s important that we share the sport as much as we can,’ Murray says

RIYADH: Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray and former world No. 1 Spanish-Venezuelan Garbine Muguruza conducted a tennis clinic for children at the Net Tennis Academy in Diriyah on Tuesday.
Ahead of the WTA Finals that will be held for the first time in Riyadh in November, the pair spoke to Arab News about the growth of the sport in the region.
“I think there is a new generation now ... We have great players from all nationalities and we feel like every tournament there’s different winners. So that means that it’s very competitive,” Muguruza, who will act as tournament director for the upcoming event, said.
Public events could help to raise the profile of the sport, she said.
“One very good example is what we are doing here today. We are bringing the community together, especially the kids. The kids are the ones that are going to follow our footsteps and be the next generation.”




Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray, the mother to former world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion Sir Andy Murray and his brother Jamie, has said she sees a bright future for tennis in Saudi Arabia. (AN photo: Abdulrahman Shalhoub)

The Saudi Sports for All Federation and Saudi Tennis Federation are working together to stage the Tennis for All program at SFA Neighborhood Clubs in Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province. The initiative is one of several launched to encourage people across the Kingdom to become more physically active.
Murray, who is mother to former world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion Sir Andy Murray and his brother Jamie, had a similar message.
“It’s important that we share the sport as much as we can with those in the local community,” she said.
“The bigger your workforce, the more you can share your sport with any kids, teens, adults who might be interested in getting involved and picking up a racket.”




Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray conducts a tennis clinic for children in Diriyah, as part of an initiative to grow the Saudi game. (AN photo: Abdulrahman Shalhoub)

But the most important thing was passion, she said.
“I look at my sons, who were professional players for many, many years. They’re 37 and 38 now and they still love the game. They still love competing. They’re real students of the game. They really research, study it, love it. And I think I would say exactly the same for myself. I love the game.”
Having worked directly with the SFA, Murray said she saw a bright future for tennis in Saudi Arabia.
“I think bringing the World Tour Finals here for a three-year period and also having brought the next gen finals here, and there are a number of other things in the pipeline that will bring some major events into Saudi, the closer you can get your people to the action, live action, the more they are probably inspired to try it ... the more they believe that they could actually do it as well,” she said.
“I think that the goal is by 2030, to have a million people playing tennis, which is always good to have a target and I actually think you’re going to smash that target.”

 


Kingdom to boost public security with 3 new initiatives

Kingdom to boost public security with 3 new initiatives
Updated 22 sec ago
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Kingdom to boost public security with 3 new initiatives

Kingdom to boost public security with 3 new initiatives
  • Programs includes modern police stations, tech-equipped vehicles, automated criminal investigation procedures 

RIYADH: The General Directorate of Public Security has launched three new initiatives aimed at enhancing security operations and services offered to citizens, residents and visitors, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The directorate shared details about the initiatives which were launched by Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif under the Quality of Life Program, one of the key projects of Saudi Vision 2030. 

The Leading Police Stations initiative aims to establish facilities with a modern identity and design, and equip mobile units for events and new residential neighborhoods. 

Programs includes modern police stations, tech-equipped vehicles, automated criminal investigation procedures (SPA)

The Security Equipment initiative focuses on equipping vehicles and electronic gates with technology that automatically recognizes license plates and individuals. It includes the installation of the latest security surveillance cameras to monitor the roads of neighborhoods.

The Ammn Platform Development initiative aims to automate criminal investigation procedures. The plan is to develop one data platform integrated with a unified call center. This would allow for the exchange of case-related information and the analysis of crime data.

The initiatives aim to increase the effectiveness of security coverage, keep pace with urban expansion, and ensure coordination and integration among relevant authorities.


KSrelief medical volunteers help amputees, cardiac patients in Ukraine, Tanzania

KSrelief medical volunteers help amputees, cardiac patients in Ukraine, Tanzania
Updated 21 min 54 sec ago
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KSrelief medical volunteers help amputees, cardiac patients in Ukraine, Tanzania

KSrelief medical volunteers help amputees, cardiac patients in Ukraine, Tanzania

RIYADH: A team of medical volunteers affiliated with Saudi aid agency KSrelief concluded on Sunday a project to fit prosthetic limbs for Ukrainian refugees in Rzeszow, Poland.

The project ran from Sept. 23 to 29, 2024.

KSrelief’s medical team fitted prosthetic limbs for 21 beneficiaries during the campaign.

Meanwhile, a team of volunteers in Tanzania conducted 30 successful cardiac operations for children from Sept. 4 to 14.

The effort was part of a voluntary medical project to provide cardiac surgery and catheterization for children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.


Tech initiative launched to support startups, digital growth

Tech initiative launched to support startups, digital growth
Updated 43 min 55 sec ago
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Tech initiative launched to support startups, digital growth

Tech initiative launched to support startups, digital growth

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has launched the Tech Talent Hub initiative in collaboration with recruitment and human resources companies to offer services and benefits to technology startups and digital talent.

The initiative aims to support the tech sector and boost the growth of the digital economy, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The ministry seeks to accelerate the growth of tech startups by providing comprehensive support for advanced HR services, enabling these companies to reach their full potential and actively contribute to the development of the tech sector, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 aspirations for a sustainable and prosperous future.

The initiative will provide HR services such as recruitment, hiring, outsourcing, HR systems, consulting, skills assessments, and more.

The collaborating companies will empower tech sector beneficiaries, including companies and skilled professionals, to leverage the available resources.


Cultural showcase unites Saudi, Pakistani communities in Jeddah

Cultural showcase unites Saudi, Pakistani communities in Jeddah
Updated 53 min 37 sec ago
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Cultural showcase unites Saudi, Pakistani communities in Jeddah

Cultural showcase unites Saudi, Pakistani communities in Jeddah

JEDDAH: The Consulate General of Pakistan recently organized a joint event to celebrate the national days of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

The event, organized in collaboration with the Pakistan Investors Forum, aimed to strengthen Pakistan-Saudi ties, and highlight shared cultural and social values.

High-profile diplomats, entrepreneurs, community members, and media representatives from both countries attended the event, which was held at a grand banquet hall in Jeddah.

The event began with the national anthems of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. An art exhibition showcased the shared cultural heritage.

Consul General Khalid Majid emphasized art and culture’s role in diplomacy, noting the unique bilateral relations based on strong religious, cultural, and socioeconomic ties.

He praised King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s contributions to regional peace and stability.

Pakistan Investors Forum Chairman Shafqat Chaudhary highlighted the Pakistani business community’s role in Saudi Arabia’s development and praised the Kingdom’s leadership.

The event featured cultural performances by Pakistani and Saudi artists, and concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony.


KSA, Kuwait sign MoU to boost cultural cooperation

KSA, Kuwait sign MoU to boost cultural cooperation
Updated 58 min 49 sec ago
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KSA, Kuwait sign MoU to boost cultural cooperation

KSA, Kuwait sign MoU to boost cultural cooperation

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Kuwait’s Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman bin Bedah Al-Mutairi met at the Riyadh International Book Fair.

They emphasized the strong historical ties between the two countries and the importance of cultural collaboration under the Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council.

The ministers signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cultural cooperation between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and Kuwait’s National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature.

The MoU covers collaboration in heritage, architecture, design, museums, visual arts, theater, literature, publishing, translation, fashion, culinary arts and film, as well as sharing expertise, participating in festivals and cultural events.

As UNESCO members, they will coordinate agreements and contribute to strategic cultural projects, establish artistic residencies, and implement heritage preservation projects.

Kuwait’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Sabah Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, also attended the meeting.