RIYADH — Saudi Arabia, for the first time in its history, is scheduled to host the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) under-17 Youth World Championships under the aegis of the Saudi Arabian Weightlifting Federation in Jeddah between Oct. 4-12, 2021, with the participation of 326 players representing 45 countries.

Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al-Faisal, president of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee (SAOC), stressed that hosting the championship for the first time in the history of Saudi Arabia, despite the circumstances facing the world due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, highlights the leadership's unlimited support to the sports sector towards realizing the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030.

It also shows the leadership’s role in developing all types of sports, and contributing to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s GDP, welcoming all players participating from various countries and wishing them success in the event.

The Saudi Arabia’s weightlifters have four medals in the championship; Ali Al-Othman who won two gold medals and a silver in 2019 in Las Vegas, and Ali Majid ,who won a bronze in the championship that was held remotely in Peru last year. — SPA