In the rapidly evolving landscape of global sports, Saudi Arabia is making significant strides. A leading sports pitch specialist from Cumbria is targeting growth in the Middle East. This expansion includes advanced pitches and investment in local infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s determination to become a key player in the sports world is clear. The country is investing heavily in cutting-edge facilities and maintenance. This ambition is attracting major sports teams and events, highlighting its growing importance on the global stage.
Expanding to Saudi Arabia and the Middle East
A sports pitch company has major plans for Saudi Arabia and the Middle East to expand its business. The firm is known for high-quality hybrid, synthetic, and natural pitches.
The company, based in Cumbria, opened an office in Saudi Arabia last year. Within weeks, it completed the Kingdom Arena, the first fully indoor hybrid pitch, in just 21 days. It partnered with Sela for this ambitious project.
Investment and Infrastructure
The company has already invested over $370,000 in the region. Saudi Arabia is now a significant part of the business’s long-term plans. The firm has set up three maintenance depots in Tabuk, Jeddah, and Riyadh.
The depots will serve local professional teams like Neom FC, Al Ahli-FC, and Al-Hilal FC. They will also support major maintenance projects, including events hosted at King Fahd Stadium and Al-Awwal Park.
Turf Farms for High-Resilience Surfaces
In addition to the depots, two new turf farms have been opened in Saudi Arabia and Turkey. These join an already established site in the UAE.
The turf farms aim to grow high-resilience turf for various sports, commercial landscaping, and major projects. This includes pitches for rugby, football, equestrian sports, and cricket.
Commitment to Localisation
Managing Director David Ball emphasised Saudi Arabia’s importance as a sports hub. He noted the country’s appetite for world-class sports facilities.
Ball stated, “Over the past five years, Saudi Arabia has clearly established itself as a key destination for some of the world’s biggest athletes.” The firm aims to offer a speedy, domestic solution year-round.
Technological Innovations
The company offers a hybrid playing surface called SISGrass, which uses a small percentage of polymer fibre stitched into natural grass. This is part of the SIS Group, an international business.
The SIS product line also includes SISGrass Synthetic, which comes with options like monofilament or fibrillated yarns and thatch support yarn. Surfaces for athletics tracks are another specialised area.
Team Expansion
The current team of 40 staff is set to grow to 60 in the next year. This growth reflects the firm’s long-term commitment to the region.
As the sports sector in the Middle East continues to grow, demand for high-quality pitches is rising. The firm’s expansion plans indicate a promising future.
In conclusion, Saudi Arabia’s growing interest in elite sports facilities marks a significant shift in the global sporting landscape. The company’s investment in the region, from hybrid pitches to maintenance depots, demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting this transformation. With innovative technology and localised solutions, the future looks promising for sports development in the Middle East.