The value of Saudi sports products retail market is approaching SR30 billion ($8 billion) with an annual growth by 8 per cent, said the organisers of a sports and fitness event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, citing a new report.

Reed Sunaidi Exhibitions is organizing Saudi International Sport & Fitness Exhibition, Fitness (ISF Saudi), the Kingdom’s only major international sports and fitness exhibition from November 25 to 28 at Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events.

“It is known that in any line of work a simple streamlined process is required to have effective results. The sport club operators need to sit down with their association and discuss these issues, pointing out the challenges they face and to come up with suitable solutions. Until this is done the development process will be stifled! ” said John Tappin, show director.

Tappin talked also about his expectations for this year’s exhibition to provide solutions for development rather than the inaugural edition of the exhibition last year.

“We aim to be the focal point for sport and fitness in KSA while providing a platform for training and education which is lacking in the Kingdom. Hence we are looking to attract the professional trainers and instructors associations and sporting institutions not only in KSA but around the GCC. In view of this we will collaborate with the Josoor Institute, Qatar to hold a seminar on Sports Business Development which tackles the business side of sports,” Tappin said.

“The objective of the event is to promote public wellbeing and healthy living through education, demonstration and activities whilst providing a trading and sourcing platform for the Sport, Fitness, and Wellness industry. We want people to realize that fitness should be a lifestyle and not just something you do sparingly,” he added.

“Saudi Sport & fitness sector development needs over the next 5 years are currently valued at US$20 billion. Reports suggest that the Saudi sport and fitness market is worth close to $20 billion and it is believed that with the current population and lack of infrastructure and facilities it will take close to that amount if not more to develop this sector.

“The expectation is to see more of the top brands and to see more live demonstrations. Equally, participants would like to connect with sports influencers and they would like to see some local sporting personalities and key buyer groups compared to last year’s exhibition,” Tappin concluded.

The report provides investment implications that can be described as pivotal that the concerned authorities in Saudi Arabia support sports and health initiatives with about SR29 billion ($7.7 billion) dedicated to social projects including the construction of new sports centres throughout Saudi Arabia.

The report pointed out that Saudi Arabia is currently running a key project for the development of sports with a budget exceeding SR18 billion ($5 billion) and is scheduled for completion by 2016. – TradeArabia News Service