RIYADH, 16 December 2005 — Eighteen Saudi youths, including three girls, were awarded certificates of merit in recognition of their achievement at the final MSc examination in sports science at London universities.
The awards were presented by the British Sports Minister Richard Caborn at a colorful ceremony held in the presence of Prince Sultan ibn Fahd ibn Abdul Aziz, head of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW), British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, and BAE Systems’ Program Director Peter Waddell on Tuesday.
“The recipient of these awards were postgraduates who have passed through the first-ever program conducted by Manchester Metropolitan University, Loughborough University and Bath University,” Caborn said, adding that the formal graduation ceremony will be held in London shortly. The program was carried out under the Saudi-British Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Sports and Youth Welfare.
The Sports Memorandum was signed by the two governments in 1987 to promote cooperation in sporting and youth welfare through a series of exchanges and visits.
Since 1987, the program has grown dramatically. In 1991 there were three exchanges. This year there were an outstanding 56, bringing together young people from our two countries to compete, to train, to teach and to learn, he said, adding that there will be 72 such programs next year.
“These exchanges have given the participants a valuable opportunity to experience each other’s cultures and traditions firsthand, through the medium of sport,” he said, pointing out that the MOU reflects the close relationship between the UK and Saudi Arabia — a relationship characterized by exchanges at all levels.
Saudi youths have taken part in a wide range of sports, including football, tennis, squash, athletics, basketball, gymnastics and cycling.
“They have undertaken courses in coaching and sports science up to MSc level for which certificates are given today,” he said. He said that sailing and competitive angling would be added to the next year’s program.
While introducing the minister at a reception hosted at his residence Monday, Sir Cowper-Coles said Caborn was named the Sports Personality of the Year by the BBC. He said Caborn was re-appointed for the second consecutive time as sports minister because of his success as a sporting minister.
Speaking at the reception, the minister thanked the Saudi government for voting for Britain at the contest held for the venue of the 2012 World Olympics.
“Arrangements are being made well ahead for the global show,” said Caborn.
During his talks with the Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Abdullah Al Jasser, Caborn stressed the importance of having a cultural agreement between the two countries on the line of the existing MOU on sports.
“Such an agreement would open new areas of cooperation in exchanging experience in organizing museums, educational institutions, book fairs and other matters of cultural interests.
On Wednesday, the visiting minister paid a courtesy call on Riyadh Governor Prince Salman. He also visited the British School and the King Abdul Aziz Historical Center and also witnessed the soccer match between Al Hilal and Valencia before his departure to London.
Barrie Peach, information counselor at the British Embassy hosted a luncheon in honor of the minister.
