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WILL BCCI ACCEPT PARTNERSHIP WITH SAUDI ARABIA AT T20 LEAGUE?

Updated: May 28, 2023


It is interesting to hear that the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) has established an official partnership with the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL), which is considered the world's leading Twenty 20 cricket league. The partnership marks an important step for the Saudi tourism industry to expand its reach and promote itself to cricket fans across the globe.


The event held in Mumbai to inaugurate the partnership was attended by key figures from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), including Jay Shah, Rajeev Shukla, and Ashish Shelar, as well as representatives from the Saudi Tourism Authority, including Alhasan Aldabbagh, the President of APAC. This indicates that both organizations are committed to working closely together to achieve their mutual goals and objectives.


As part of the partnership, the Saudi Tourism Authority will have branding rights for the IPL matches, and will also be featured in promotional campaigns and other marketing initiatives associated with the tournament. This will provide the Saudi tourism industry with a unique opportunity to showcase its offerings to a global audience and attract more visitors to the country.


Overall, the partnership between the Saudi Tourism Authority and the TATA Indian Premier League is a positive development for both organizations, as well as for cricket fans and travelers alike. It will be interesting to see how this collaboration progresses in the coming months and years, and how it contributes to the growth and development of the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia.


Indeed, cricket is a highly popular sport globally, and India is no exception. The partnership between the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) is an excellent opportunity for the STA to tap into the passion and enthusiasm of Indian cricket fans and promote Saudi Arabia as a leading destination for Indian travelers.


The aim of the partnership is to encourage affinity and increase awareness of Saudi Arabia among Indian travelers, particularly young people. With more than half of India's population below the age of 30, there is a significant opportunity for the STA to showcase its tourism offerings to this demographic group. Additionally, Saudi Arabia also has a relatively young population, with 58 percent of its population falling in the same age group.


This demographic similarity between the two countries presents an opportunity for the STA to tailor its marketing efforts to appeal to the interests and preferences of Indian travelers. By leveraging the popularity of cricket and the IPL, the STA can position Saudi Arabia as a desirable destination for sports tourism, cultural tourism, and other forms of travel.


Overall, the partnership between the STA and the IPL is a strategic move that can potentially yield significant benefits for both organizations. It will be interesting to see how the STA utilizes this partnership to promote Saudi Arabia as a leading tourism destination for Indian travelers.


The potential for India as a key tourism source market for Saudi Arabia is indeed significant, as it is expected to become the country's largest tourism source market by 2030. The partnership between the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) is a clear indication of Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting its sports sector, as well as its broader tourism industry.


The STA's tourism strategy involves strengthening its competitive advantage in the market, and the partnership with the IPL is one way to achieve this goal. By leveraging the popularity of cricket and the IPL, Saudi Arabia can attract more visitors from India and showcase its tourism offerings to a wider audience.


According to reports, Saudi Arabia aims to welcome more than two million visitors from India this year, which is a significant increase from previous years. This is a testament to the country's efforts to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil revenues by developing its tourism industry.


Overall, the partnership between the STA and the IPL is a strategic move that aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader tourism objectives. It will be interesting to see how this partnership evolves and how it contributes to the growth and development of the Saudi tourism industry, as well as the sports sector in the country.


The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) is undoubtedly one of the most significant events on the international sporting calendar, and the partnership between the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the IPL is a significant addition to the STA's growing portfolio of global strategic relationships.


Partnerships like the IPL are a key pillar of Saudi Arabia's tourism strategy, as they have the potential to bring fans, athletes, and nations together while generating curiosity among those who may be interested in visiting Saudi Arabia as a destination. Such partnerships provide a platform for the STA to showcase Saudi Arabia's tourism offerings and position the country as an attractive destination for sports tourism, cultural tourism, and other forms of travel.


Furthermore, the partnership between the STA and the IPL has the potential to enhance Saudi Arabia's international reputation and improve the country's perception among Indian travelers. This, in turn, can lead to increased tourism revenue and economic growth for Saudi Arabia.

Overall, the partnership between the STA and the IPL is a strategic move that aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader tourism objectives. It will be interesting to see how this partnership evolves over time and how it contributes to the growth and development of the Saudi tourism industry.


The partnership between the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) builds on Saudi Arabia's history and love for cricket. The country established its first governing cricket body in 2003, and in 2020, the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) was established to oversee 16 regional associations in 11 cities. The SACF currently has over 8,000 registered players and more than 400 registered clubs, with a total participation of 35,000 in domestic cricket tournaments and championships.


The growth of cricket in Saudi Arabia has been impressive, and the Saudi cricket national team is currently ranked 32nd out of 180 nations in cricket. The country has made significant investments in developing its cricket infrastructure and has hosted several high-profile cricket events in recent years.


The partnership between the STA and the IPL is a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia's cricketing ambitions and demonstrates the country's commitment to supporting the development of the sport both domestically and internationally. The partnership is also a strategic move to tap into the vast fanbase of cricket in India and showcase Saudi Arabia's tourism offerings to a wider audience.


Overall, the partnership between the STA and the IPL is a positive development for Saudi Arabia's cricketing and tourism industries. It will be interesting to see how this partnership contributes to the growth and development of cricket in the country and how it helps position Saudi Arabia as a leading destination for sports tourism.


Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board at Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), highlights the importance of sport as a platform for engaging and inspiring young people in India and Saudi Arabia. He notes that sport is a key pillar of Saudi Arabia's tourism strategy and a way to support excellence in the world of sport while promoting greater participation and improved quality of life among Saudi and global audiences alike.


Hamidaddin emphasizes that sport, like tourism, has the power to bring people together in harmony and fellowship, bridging cultures and sharing perspectives on the world around us. He adds that these values are central to Saudi culture and are championed by young people from all around the world.


The partnership between the STA and the IPL represents an exciting opportunity to tap into the vibrant youth culture and strong fanbase of cricket in India and showcase Saudi Arabia's tourism offerings to a wider audience. It also demonstrates Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting excellence in the world of sport and inspiring greater participation in sports and healthy lifestyles among its own population and globally.

Overall, the partnership between the STA and the IPL is a strategic move that aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader tourism and sports objectives, and it has the potential to deliver significant benefits to both countries.


Alhasan Aldabbagh, APAC President at Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), highlights the importance of the Indian subcontinent region as a key market for the STA's global marketing strategy. He notes that the STA is committed to continually enhancing ways to excite tourists from these countries and welcome them to Saudi Arabia.

Aldabbagh also emphasizes the significance of cricket to visitors from South Asia and expresses the STA's delight in announcing its partnership with the IPL. He notes that the partnership with IPL will provide an excellent platform to engage and inspire young people and bring fans, athletes, and nations together.


Overall, the partnership between the STA and the IPL aligns with the STA's broader marketing strategy and is a strategic move to tap into the significant potential of the Indian subcontinent market. It is a testament to the STA's commitment to promoting Saudi Arabia as a leading destination for tourists from around the world, including cricket fans from South Asia.


According to Alhasan Aldabbagh, the partnership with the IPL is a strategic move to increase Saudi Arabia's presence and appeal in the Indian and South Asian markets. He notes that the STA is excited to show prospective South Asian visitors why they should consider Saudi Arabia not only as their next holiday destination, but also as a viable sports destination.


Aldabbagh highlights the fact that Saudi Arabia plays host to prominent sports and entertainment events such as Formula One, WWE, and the Spanish Super Cup, and the partnership with IPL is expected to further boost the country's position as a sports destination. He emphasizes that the STA is committed to supporting excellence in the world of sport and inspiring greater participation and improved quality of life among Saudi and global audiences alike.



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