ISLAMABAD, Nov 26 (Alliance News): Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will use sports—especially cricket—as a powerful bridge of friendship and regional harmony, Federal Minister for Interior, Narcotics Control and Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi said during an important meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sports, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, in Riyadh on Wednesday.
The meeting centred on wide-ranging plans to expand sports cooperation between the two countries, with a particular focus on promoting cricket across the Kingdom.
Naqvi discussed initiatives to encourage youth participation in healthy activities and to strengthen institutional collaboration in the sports sector.
He praised Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal’s dynamic leadership in advancing Saudi Arabia’s sports vision under the Kingdom’s transformative Vision 2030. He noted that Saudi Arabia has made history by securing hosting rights for several major global tournaments.
During the meeting, Naqvi congratulated the Saudi sports minister on the Kingdom’s successful bids for the AFC Asian Cup 2027, Asian Winter Games 2029, Asian Games 2034 and the FIFA World Cup 2034.
He emphasized that both nations can unlock new avenues for youth development through cricket infrastructure projects, joint training camps, bilateral tours and junior-level tournaments.
Both sides agreed that relevant institutions in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will fast-track coordination to finalize practical plans. Joint initiatives will soon be launched to create maximum opportunities for young people in both countries.
