SDG 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

3.3.3 Does your university as a body share sports facilities with the local community, for instance with local schools or with the general public?

Diriyah Walks — Marathon

Al Maarefa University organized the ‘Diriyah Walks’ marathon to celebrate Saudi National Day and to support Vision 2030 targets for increasing physical activity. The event was open to local residents and students, and our teams coordinated registration, route logistics and community engagement to encourage walking as a preventive health behaviour.

In celebration of Saudi National Day and in support of the Saudi Vision 2030 goals to increase the number of sports practitioners to 40% by 2030, Almaarefa University organized the “Diriyah Walks” marathon. This event aims to raise awareness among the local Diriyah community about the importance of walking and its effective role in disease prevention. The marathon saw broad participation from various segments of the community, reflecting the university's commitment to promoting public health and sports as part of its contribution to national vision objectives. Such initiatives not only encourage physical activity but also foster community spirit and unity [1].

MoU / Cooperation with Diriyah local organisations

Al Maarefa University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Imam Muhammad bin Saud Charity (a major Diriyah association) to cooperate in volunteering, community services, health activities and training. Such MoUs enable joint community programmes (including sporting events and community services) and create institutional channels to share facilities and coordinate public events [2].

Inter-college football league

Our student sports committee organizes an inter-college football league. Matches are played at the Mundial fields in Dhahrat Al-Awda (Diriyah), showing that our students and organizers use local community sports pitches and coordinate with external facility managers [3].

Participation in Saudi Universities Sports Federation events

Al Maarefa University teams compete in national inter-university championships (e.g., the Saudi Universities Sports Federation Table-Tennis Championship). Participation in federation events typically involves using federation venues or sharing community sports infrastructure for training and competition.

With the participation of more than 30 public and private universities in the Saudi Universities Sports Federation Table Tennis Championship, the nursing student in Almaarefa university Abdul Rahman Al-Fuhaid qualifies for the advanced roles [4].

Congratulations and good luck on winning the championship... pic.twitter.com/is0ke1JxJq

-Almaarefa University (@AlMaarefa) February 1, 2024

Deanship of Student Affairs

The Deanship of Student Affairs organizes cultural, social and sports activities and is responsible for providing sports and recreational facilities for students. This unit manages access and schedules for student sport programmes and for events that often invite community participation [5].

Wellness events

Al Maarefa University runs seasonal vaccination campaigns and wellness events that are promoted alongside physical-activity campaigns (e.g., Diriyah Walks). This integration shows the university uses events and venues to promote wellbeing and likely coordinates access to spaces for those activities [1].

DGDA / Diriyah development reporting lists Al Maarefa University among local partners

The Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) coverage mentions that DGDA signed MoUs with universities including Al Maarefa for cooperation in employment, training, exhibitions and research connected to Diriyah’s regeneration projects. These institutional links (DGDA ↔ UM) provide formal avenues for the university to host / co-organize public events in Diriyah, which commonly require coordination of spaces and facilities.

Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah: Restoring History, Revitalizing Heritage [6]

Diriyah, the birthplace of the first Saudi state, was the starting point for Imam Mohammed bin Saud’s unification drive, marking a shift from a city-state to a centralized government aimed at uniting the Arabian Peninsula under a stable political framework.

For centuries, Diriyah stood as a key stop along trade caravan routes stretching from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Basra.

It gained renown for its beautifully built stone houses, was intersected by Wadi Hanifa, and has long been home to mosques and schools.

The surrounding fields yielded wheat, barley, and millet, alongside orchards of date palms, peaches, and figs. Diriyah was also a breeding ground for a distinguished lineage of purebred Arabian horses, whose reputation extended across kingdoms and beyond.

The origins of Diriyah’s name have been the subject of debate for centuries, yet it has retained its historical title to this day. It was also known as “Al-Awja,” a name that sparked discussions over its meaning. King Salman ultimately settled the debate, affirming that “Al-Awja” is a geographic reference to Diriyah itself.

Saudi Arabia has launched strategies and programs to develop Diriyah across urban, cultural, economic, and social dimensions, recognizing its historical significance as the first Saudi capital. Once a dominant regional power, Diriyah played a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s political history before suffering widespread destruction at the hands of Ottoman forces in the early 19th century, which left much of it abandoned.

Mega-development

The city is now part of Saudi Arabia’s major development projects. On January 9, 2023, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced the inclusion of the Diriyah project as the fifth mega-development under PIF ownership.

The move positions Diriyah as one of the world’s most unique cultural, heritage, and tourism destinations.

The Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) will continue overseeing and regulating the area to preserve its historical and cultural legacy. It will also support the local community while ensuring that Diriyah evolves into a premier global tourism destination.

The DGDA was established on July 20, 2017, as a Saudi government entity tasked with transforming Diriyah’s urban, cultural, and economic landscape. Given its historical significance, the authority aims to position Diriyah as a premier global destination—a place where the world converges—while ensuring it remains a source of pride and heritage for all Saudis.

DGDA’s mission is to make Diriyah a national landmark and a symbol of Saudi unity, inspiring development into an exceptional international attraction.

Central to this vision is preserving Diriyah’s historical gem, the At-Turaif district, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The authority is committed to safeguarding the area’s historical and cultural identity, ensuring Diriyah becomes an unparalleled global destination.

It also seeks to transform Diriyah, Wadi Safar, and Al-Bujairi into vibrant hubs of hospitality, leisure, and retail, blending cultural authenticity with world-class experiences.

Additionally, the DGDA aims to be a responsible neighbor, fostering an enabling environment that enhances local services and infrastructure, creating a thriving and exceptional community.

The At-Turaif landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah.

As part of its development plans, the DGDA has signed several agreements, including a memorandum of understanding with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) to establish a strategic partnership. The collaboration focuses on boosting joint planning, optimizing government spending, and unifying efforts to advance the project’s development.

The agreement covers data governance, information exchange, and joint research initiatives. It also includes cooperation in satellite imagery, 3D optical imaging, and radar surveys to uncover buried archaeological sites. Additionally, the partnership explores advanced materials technology and automated construction systems, supporting the DGDA’s mandate within its regulatory scope.

Partnerships and prosperity

Moreover, the DGDA has signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with key institutions to advance its development plans.

These include an MoU with King Saud University for collaboration on master planning, another with Al Yamamah University covering employment, training, exhibitions, and research, and an agreement with Darah (King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives) to strengthen joint initiatives.

The DGDA also signed MoUs with Al Maarefa University and Alfaisal University focusing on employment, training, academic conferences, and research.

Further agreements include an MoU with the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization for strategic cooperation, an MoU with ICOMOS Saudi Arabia to preserve cultural and natural heritage sites, and an MoU with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to enhance collaboration in the mining sector.

In a major infrastructure deal, Saudi Real Estate Company signed a SAR 722 million ($192 million) contract with the DGDA for excavation work on metro stations in Diriyah’s central, southern, and eastern areas.

On July 10, 2024, Diriyah Company announced the signing of a landmark construction contract with El Seif Engineering Contractors and China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC). Valued at over SAR 7.8 billion ($2 billion), it is the largest construction contract awarded in Diriyah’s development to date.

The project will create a mixed-use district featuring advanced educational institutions, cultural landmarks, modern office spaces, and a luxury hotel in the northern part of Diriyah.

On July 24, 2024, Diriyah Company signed another major contract worth SAR 8 billion ($2.13 billion) with Urbacon Saudi Company and Al Bawani Holding to build four luxury hotels and the Diriyah Royal Equestrian & Polo Club in Wadi Safar.

In June 2023, the ownership of Diriyah Club was officially transferred to the DGDA, as announced by the Minister of Sports during a conference on the privatization of sports clubs.

In December 2023, the DGDA, in coordination with Darah, organized the Diriyah International Forum under the theme “Diriyah: A Meeting Point of Cultures.” The event aimed to promote academic research on Diriyah’s rich history and cultural heritage.

References