Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains a leading supporter of youth and sports in Yemen through the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY), providing continuous support through sports and youth initiatives. These include the rehabilitation of sports facilities, construction of stadiums, sponsorship of tournaments, technical support, and knowledge transfer in the field of sports, all aimed at empowering Yemeni youth and contributing to a brighter future for coming generations.
According to Saudi Press Agency, SDRPY is committed to implementing sports projects that align with the latest global standards to develop youth skills and support their ambitions. Among the most notable projects is the construction of FIFA-standard stadiums for clubs such as Al-Jazira, Al-Rawdah, and Al-Menaa. The facilities provide young people with high-quality sports environments that enable them to train and compete at top levels, energizing them and motivating excellence.
A key area of SDRPY support is the development of sports skills among children and adolescents. The program has constructed over 30 basketball and volleyball courts in model schools across various Yemeni governorates. The facilities promote physical fitness, instill healthy lifestyle habits, and help build athletic abilities from an early age, ultimately fostering a generation of youth grounded in sportsmanship and wellness.
SDRPY's efforts go beyond infrastructure development to include organizing various sports tournaments that offer young athletes opportunities to compete and showcase their talents.
The program also seeks to revive sports activities at local venues, such as the rehabilitation of the Ali Asad Muthanna Sports Hall in Aden after a long period of inactivity. The initiative rejuvenated the city's sports scene and provided youth with a renewed space to enhance their skills and engage in physical activity.
In a move to further strengthen sports cooperation, SDRPY signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Saudi Ministry of Sport in June 2020 to support athletics across Yemen.
In a gesture of encouragement and recognition, the program also celebrated the Yemeni U-17 national team after their victory in the West Asian Football Championship.
Through 264 projects and initiatives, SDRPY has supported key sectors across various Yemeni governorates, advancing education, health, water, energy, transportation, agriculture and fisheries, capacity building for the Yemeni government, and developmental programs.