The 6th Islamic Solidarity Games begin today in Riyadh, held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The event brings together 57 member countries of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association —ISSA—, providing a multi-sport platform that promotes cooperation and diversity among the National Olympic Committees of Islamic-majority nations.
According to the Organizing Committee, approximately 3,500 athletes will take part in 23 sports. Competition will run until 21 November, accompanied by cultural activities and ceremonies designed to strengthen relations among the participating states.
Esports introduced as a new discipline
Competitions began today in Futsal, Volleyball and Boxing, marking the opening of the sports schedule across several venues in Riyadh. Additional sports will be introduced in the coming days following a staggered timetable that distributes qualification rounds and finals throughout the event.
The sports programme maintains continuity with previous editions, including Athletics, 3×3 Basketball, Fencing, Handball, Judo, Ju-Jitsu, Karate, Muay Thai, Swimming, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Table Tennis and Equestrian events. Camel Racing, a traditional discipline in regional sporting culture, also remains part of the programme. A key development in this edition is the structured inclusion of Esports as an official category, reflecting its growing competitive recognition internationally. In addition, Para Athletics and Para Powerlifting reinforce the organisation’s commitment to inclusion, integrating Paralympic athletes within the main programme.
Organisation, venues and infrastructure
Competition is distributed across four groups of venues located throughout Riyadh, including multi-purpose arenas, university sports complexes and recently renovated facilities. Among the main sites are the King Fahd Sports Complex, the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex, the Green Hall of Riyadh and the King Saud Sports City, all adapted to host multiple sports simultaneously. This model is intended to reduce internal travel, streamline the flow of athletes and spectators, and ensure training areas are located near competition venues.
This structure contrasts with the inaugural 2005 edition, also held in Saudi Arabia, where events were distributed across multiple cities with less centralised operations. The concentration of venues in Riyadh this year aligns with a national sports modernisation strategy and an urban legacy framework aimed at consolidating the country’s capacity to host major international multi-sport events in a single metropolitan hub.
Joint work among Islamic countries
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Sport, President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and President of ISSA, stated: “This royal patronage highlights the importance of joint action among Islamic countries and the value of cooperation within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Sport serves as a vital bridge for fostering peace, unity and mutual understanding.”
The event serves as a platform to strengthen institutional and sporting relations among the participating countries within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation —OIC—.
