Abdullah Al-Odhib, the CEO of Najoom Al-Salam, announced that Club Al-Zulfi has witnessed a remarkable growth exceeding 50% in the number of practitioners and staff since the company acquired it. This was revealed during his participation in the 'Sports Investment Forum', where he emphasized that this participation reflects the trend towards building a sustainable sports investment model.
Al-Odhib pointed out that the company is working on developing the club's infrastructure and enhancing fan attendance, with investment opportunities being proposed for the establishment of a hotel and a comprehensive sports medicine center. Other developmental projects are also included, aimed at supporting the club's sustainability.
Event Details
Al-Odhib revealed existing agreements with global companies to invest in the club, focusing on attracting international stars to enhance the team's competitiveness. Plans have also been set to double the stadium's seating capacity by 100%, which will boost fan attendance and increase the club's investment appeal.
Najoom Al-Salam reaffirms its commitment to continue developing its quality investments, aligning with the goals of 'Saudi Vision 2030'. The company acquired Club Al-Zulfi on July 24, 2025, as part of the privatization initiatives announced by the Saudi Ministry of Sports.
Background & Context
The Sports Investment Forum concluded after three days of discussions and sessions covering various topics, including empowering women in the sports sector. The sessions highlighted the importance of expanding professional and investment opportunities in this field.
In a special session, Princess Ahd bint Hassan bin Saud, President of the Saudi Racing Organizers Club, emphasized the need to enhance women's participation in various sports federations, noting that low participation is linked to a lack of experience or learning from mistakes.
Impact & Consequences
These developments come at a time when the Saudi sports sector is undergoing significant transformation, as the Kingdom seeks to enhance its investments in this field. Ibrahim Al-Bakri, CEO of the Sports Investment Forum, noted that the forum successfully connected investors with government entities, reflecting a growing awareness of the importance of the sports sector as an attractive environment for capital.
More than 60 agreements were announced during the forum, with participation from over 1000 leaders from more than 60 countries. Additionally, plans for sports projects exceeding 50 billion dollars were outlined.
Regional Significance
These steps are part of the sports transformation in the region, as Arab countries aim to enhance their investments in sports as a means to boost economic growth. The success of Club Al-Zulfi in attracting investments reflects the potential to achieve larger goals in this context.
In conclusion, Club Al-Zulfi serves as a model for how to manage sports clubs professionally, contributing to the enhancement of the sports sector in the Kingdom and increasing its attractiveness for foreign investments.