A historical agreement took place between two kingdoms, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, when His Excellency General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Thailand and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concluded a two-day meeting in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Thailand and Saudi Arabia, for nearly 30 years, have had no diplomatic relations but today, with this historical agreement, the affairs between these two kingdoms will go back to normal. Many important factors played a role in this historical meeting and agreement and the vision and mission of giving youth the opporJulia Govinden, the CEO of United Through Sports congratulated both the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on this historical day, stating that the vision of UTS is to promote inclusion, equality, non-discrimination and peace. Ms. Govinden congratulated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Vision 2030 where “Sport For All” plays an integral part.tunity to thrive and shine certainly played a role in uniting these Kingdoms.
Julia Govinden, the CEO of United Through Sports congratulated both the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on this historical day, stating that the vision of UTS is to promote inclusion, equality, non-discrimination and peace. Ms. Govinden congratulated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Vision 2030 where “Sport For All” plays an integral part.
Thailand hosted the first edition of the United Through Sports World Virtual Youth Festival in 2020 under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee, Special Olympics International and International Paralympic Committee. The event stood for and with the youth of the world for inclusion, equality, non-discrimination and peace.
The President of United Through Sports Stephan Fox said that it was a historical moment at the closing ceremony when His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal Al Saud the President of the National Olympic Committee and Minister of Sport addressed the Kingdom of Thailand in Thai language and the announcement of the 2021 event to be hosted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, taking over from the Kingdom of Thailand. This was an important element of peace from the youth of the world. The Kingdom of Thailand participated at the opening ceremony at the 2021 World Virtual Youth Festival in the historical birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Diriyah, and many Thai youth were part of the opening and closing ceremonies.
Both Festivals were opened by the President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, President of the International Paralympic Committee Andrew Parsons and CEO of Special Olympics International Mary Davis, the 8th UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Professor Yunus, from the Kingdom of Thailand, the President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand General Prawit Wongsuwan, Minister of Tourism and Sport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and IOC Member Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul and from the Saudi side, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal Al Saud from the National Olympic Committee of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
His Excellency the President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand General Prawit Wongsuwan opened the festival in Thailand stating how proud he was that Thailand was selected to be the host country and history was made when His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal Al Saud President of the National Olympic Committee of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia closed the event taking over from Thailand. Over 50,000 youth from all abilities and over 100 international organizations participated at the Festival with over 200,000 participants in the workshops and forums.
An MoU was signed between United Through Sports and the National Olympic Committee of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Sport under His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal Al Saud to work closely together between all organizations and institutions, safeguarding the future of sport for peace.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also been awarded the 2023 World Combat Games where United Through Sports will play an active role in promoting its core values of equality, inclusion, non-discrimination and peace promotion throughout the Games. It is the vision of all parties involved to make this the first multi-sport games of all abilities.
The new chapter in cooperation with Thailand and Saudi Arabia can expect to benefit in nine key areas, namely: tourism, energy, labour, food, healthcare, security, education and religion, trade and investment, and certainly sports. United Through Sports would like to congratulate both Kingdoms again on this historical achievement.
Let us finish with the final words of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal Al Saud President of the National Olympic Committee of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in his speech at the closing of the UTS World Virtual Youth Festival from the Kingdom of Thailand.
“When we unite, we do alright.”