Saudi Arabia secures World Combat Games 2023

The Global Association of International Sports Federations has awarded Riyadh (the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) the 2023 edition of the World Combat Games (WCG) - international multi-sport event featuring 15 combat sports and martial arts which are members of GAISF.

The WCG as a celebration of combat sports and martial arts, showcases the world’s best athletes - driving global exposure for these sports and the host city. Powered by GAISF, the WCG strives to establish bridges between elite sport and local communities through inspiring initiatives encouraging youth participation in combat sports and martial arts.

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal Al-Saud, Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee (SAOC) President noted “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is looking forward to welcoming athletes from all parts of the world to the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia is very much aligned with the Olympic Values and this event is within the country’s vision for 2030 to promote a vibrant society with a diverse and thriving economy.

“Saudi Arabi has the infrastructure and will use this event to strengthen the martial arts community in Saudi Arabia and use this multi-sport games as one of the first major events toward the Asian Games 2034.”

GAISF and SportAccord President Raffaele Chiulli added “The World Combat Games is much more than a sporting event powered by GAISF, it is part of an MoU between GAISF and the IOC. The WCG represents sports as much from the non-Olympic, as from the Olympic family. The next steps will be to finalise the sport programme with the International Sports Federations and obtaining the final approval from the IOC.”

Chairman of the GAISF Multi-Sport Games and GAISF Vice President, Stephan Fox, who is also a former martial arts world champion advised “Saudi Arabia is an ideal choice for this post-pandemic event showcasing an exchange of culture from around the world and is the perfect bridge between elite sport and local communities. The bid presented by Saudi is robust and inspiring.  The vision for this event will bring a festival celebratory atmosphere. There will be workshops by leading martial art masters, educational conferences and the first World Martial Arts Gala, honouring the legends of martial arts and combat sports.”

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during a special ceremony at the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee’s (SAOC) General Assembly, which included all recognised martial arts and combat sport national federations.