The Municipality of Makkah has embarked on the construction of a number of public playgrounds and other sport facilities across various districts in the holy city as part of its social responsibility program.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Makkah Municipality community building and social services workshop, Osama Al-Bar, mayor of Makkah, told Arab News that the municipality established 60 public football grounds within diverse and well-equipped sport facilities.

The mayor said they have signed agreements with Al-Wihda Sports Club and the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) to operate the sport facilities, which cost an estimated SR 35 million.

Al-Bar, who was launching the workshop on behalf of Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal at Park Hyatt Hotel in Jeddah, said social projects are needed to provide the necessary services to residents and pilgrims who visit the holy city. He emphasized the importance of cooperation between the government and private sectors to introduce high standard social amenities to the city.

The mayor indicated that the workshop aims to develop comprehensive cultural, social, economic and environmental services to the people of Makkah, highlighting the role of the youth in generating creative ideas and plans.

Sama Agency for Community and Youth Consultations collaborated with the municipality in organizing the workshop.

Abdulrahman Tawakul, the mayor’s public relations assistant, said innovative ideas are needed to integrate different social initiatives with one another, in order to serve a large segment of the society.

Meanwhile, Abdulwahab Nurwali, head of Sama for Community and Youth Consultations, said the workshop is part of the Mayor office’s initiative to launch a number of programs for the benefit of families residing in Makkah, including the youth and pilgrims.

He pointed out the outcome of the workshop will be beneficial for all age groups, as experts and several officials are working together to determine the challenges facing the implementation of social programs and studying proposals for future programs.