RIYADH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has ordered the establishment of a fund to promote equestrian sports in the Kingdom, Education Minister Prince Faisal bin Abdullah, chairman of the fund’s board of trustees, announced Tuesday.
“The fund will promote equestrian events such as show jumping and dressage and take care of the cultural and heritage aspects of equestrian sports,” Prince Faisal said, adding that the national team would be trained to participate in the World Cup in the US and Olympics in London.
The fund is aimed at developing the national equestrian team to participate successfully in international events. “We hope to make the Saudi team among the best 10 in the world,” Prince Faisal said. The private sector would be encouraged to invest in equestrian sports.
He said the board of trustees would extend all support to the national team comprising six equestrians by providing them with horses and intensive training. The fund money will be invested in projects to increase its capital and draw in additional revenue.
Prince Turki bin Abdullah is the vice chairman of the board of trustees. Its members include a number of businessmen such as Muhammad Jameel, Muhammad Al-Amoudi and Abdullah Bahamdan. The fund’s board of directors is chaired by Prince Turki.
