Red Sea Global Signs MoU with Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee to Advance Inclusive Sports Tourism

Photography: Courtesy of SPA.

Riyadh, May 5, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind Saudi Arabia’s flagship regenerative tourism projects The Red Sea and AMAALA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday with the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee (SOPC) to promote inclusive sporting experiences and strengthen community engagement across the Kingdom.

The agreement, signed at RSG’s headquarters in Riyadh, aligns with the national objectives of Vision 2030 and was represented by Nick King, Group Chief Development Officer at RSG, and Bakr Darwish, Chief Shared Services & Solutions Officer at SOPC. The MoU emphasizes mutual efforts to create accessible, world-class destinations where both elite athletes and the wider public—regardless of ability or background—can engage in sport and recreation.

Team Saudi, SOPC’s official brand identity under which athletes compete at Olympic, Paralympic, and multi-sport games, serves as a symbol of national pride, unity, and perseverance. Through this partnership, Saudi Paralympic athletes will be welcomed to RSG’s destinations to provide valuable input on how sporting and entertainment offerings can better serve individuals with diverse access needs.

“This agreement supports our aim to develop truly inclusive, world-class destinations that excite and delight all who visit,” said Nick King. “By engaging with Saudi athletes and learning from their insights, we can ensure our experiences are not only memorable but accessible to everyone—nationals, residents, and international visitors alike.”

Under the terms of the MoU, RSG and SOPC will explore a range of joint initiatives, including:

• Co-organizing events for International Day for Persons with Disabilities and other key calendar dates;

• Promoting Red Sea destinations via the Team Saudi app to foster long-term community engagement;

• Highlighting experiences tailored for both amateur and professional athletes, able-bodied and persons with disabilities;

• Implementing awareness campaigns promoting active lifestyles for all.

Red Sea Sports & Entertainment (RSSE), a subsidiary of RSG, will play a central role in delivering these experiences through its activity brands WAMA, Akun, and Galaxea, offering both land and marine-based sports for diverse audiences.

Bakr Darwish stated: “This partnership with Red Sea Global not only reinforces our national vision for inclusion but also celebrates the spirit of unity and ambition that defines Team Saudi. Together, we aim to ensure that every individual, regardless of physical or cognitive ability, can enjoy the benefits of an active and fulfilling lifestyle.”

The MoU is set for an initial term of three years, during which both parties will develop a phased action plan to build on shared goals and expand inclusive access across RSG destinations.

The initiative also builds on RSG’s 2023 Pledge for Accessibility, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that all of its developments are welcoming to guests with disabilities and specific access needs.

The Red Sea welcomed its first guests in 2023 and currently features five operating hotels. Upon completion, the destination will include 50 resorts, 8,000 hotel rooms, and 1,000+ residential units, alongside luxury marinas, golf courses, and cultural venues. Red Sea International Airport (RSI) connects 250 million people within a three-hour flight.

AMAALA, RSG’s second major destination, is scheduled to welcome its first guests later this year, offering more than 1,400 hotel rooms across eight luxury resorts. Once fully developed, AMAALA will comprise 30 hotels, 4,000 rooms, and a broad range of residences, wellness facilities, and high-end retail.