Exclusive: Udo-Obong Discusses Saudi Arabia's Ambitious Athletics Development Program and Future Plans
Saudi Arabia's recent sports investments, including over $1 billion in the PGA Tour and £700 million in football, now extend to athletics with a new development program led by Olympic gold medalist Enefiong Udo-Obong.
Image Credits: Punch News Paper
Saudi Arabia's recent investments in sports, including over $1 billion in the Professional Golf Association Tour and £700 million to recruit top football players into the SPL, have become a focal point in global sports discussions over the past twenty-four months.
In addition to football and golf, Saudi Arabia has invested in other sports, notably hosting major boxing events such as the undisputed heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Athletics the Next Target for Saudi Sport
Now, the focus shifts to athletics. The Saudi government is set to invest heavily in this sport, not only by hosting events but also by developing young athletes to compete and win medals for the country.
Leading the Saudi Athletics project is Enefiong Udo-Obong, a former African 400m champion and Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medalist for Nigeria.
He has been appointed as the Technical Advisor to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Athletics Development Programme.
Image Credits: BBC
Saudi Arabia’s Presence at Paris 2024
Udo-Obong’s role will officially begin at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where Saudi Arabia is participating with a small contingent.
Post-Olympics, he will implement the blueprint for the Athletics Development Programme in preparation for future Olympic Games.
Udo-Obong secured this position after a competitive selection process involving experts from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Before taking on this challenge in Saudi Arabia, he served as an administrator in Nigeria, where he formulated policies, organized championships, and scouted young athletes.
His programs have produced several athletes who now represent Nigeria globally.
In his new role, Udo-Obong aims to develop a robust structure for Saudi athletics, ensuring the continuous development of athletes within the country.
Time to Improve Saudi Athletics
In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com, he shared his enthusiasm for his new role and his plans to elevate Saudi athletics.
"It's an opportunity to expand my knowledge and enhance my understanding of the sport while contributing to the development of athletics in Saudi Arabia," Udo-Obong said regarding his appointment.
Udo-Obong aims to build a robust sports culture in Saudi Arabia and establish a blueprint to position the country as a leading athletics nation.
He noted that detailed plans would be developed after meetings to align objectives with the Saudi vision.
"I can't detail my plans yet, as we need to align on the exact direction. However, I have a proven blueprint that I will try to replicate here," he told SportsBoom.com.
Udo-Obong’s Role at Paris 2024
To kickstart his tenure, He will attend the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where Saudi Arabia will field two athletes out of a 10-member contingent, to observe and assess strategies for improvement.
"We are going to be there (Paris) as an observer and see what can be done to be among the best in the world and how to implement our blueprint to align with our goals and those of Saudi Arabia."
"Like I said, we are thinking about the future not just this Olympics in Paris.
Reflecting on the pressure of his new role, he remarked, "There is always pressure, but it's a good kind. High expectations drive us to perform."
Despite controversies surrounding human rights abuses, Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in hosting major sporting events across various disciplines, including football, boxing, MMA, WWE, golf, tennis, and Formula 1.
Olympics in Saudi?
The country is also considering hosting the Olympic Games and the World Athletics Championships in the future.
The World Athletics Championship has previously had sponsorship deals with Qatar Airlines, and Doha hosted the event in 2019, despite criticisms about poor attendance and challenging conditions.
IAAF President Seb Coe has indicated a cautious openness to Saudi investment, emphasizing the need for full stadiums and successful events.
"Saudi Arabia aims to be a major player on the international sporting scene," Udo-Obong commented.
"Their efforts in football, golf, boxing, Formula 1, and even a potential bid for the 2032 Olympics demonstrate this ambition. It's an honour to contribute to their vision."
He concluded, "The world is shifting east, and in the next 10 to 15 years, the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, will become the global sports hub."
Seyi Alao is a Nigerian sports reporter, writer, and producer, known for delivering engaging sports content in both English and Pidgin. At Brila FM, I transitioned seamlessly into the role of Content Creator, demonstrating a deep understanding of media dynamics and effectively crafting captivating and informative narratives.