Saudi Ministry of Education Integrates Rugby into Physical Education Curriculum

Riyadh, March 4, 2024 – In a significant development for sports education in the Kingdom, the Saudi Ministry of Education announced today the inclusion of rugby as an elective sport within its physical education and student activities curriculum. This initiative, dubbed the “School Rugby Initiative,” aims to introduce rugby as an optional learning unit in physical education programs across the nation.

The announcement was made in a grand event attended by notable officials, including Dr. Anwar bin Abdullah Abu Abbad, Head of Student Activities; Mr. Abdullah Al-Anizi, Head of Educational Supervision; Mr. Saleh bin Farieh Al-Harthi, Head of Physical Education and Activities in Riyadh’s Education Department; Mr. Khalid bin Zaid Al-Suqabi, Head of Physical Education at the Ministry of Education; Mr. Saeed bin Zaid Al-Suqabi, Head of Student Activities at the Ministry; and Mr. Abdullah Al-Ajlani from the Curriculum Development Department. The event also saw significant participation from the Saudi Rugby Federation, led by Mr. Ali Musbah Al-Dajani, President of the Federation, along with members of the board.

As part of this initiative, ongoing training courses will be offered to 25 girls’ schools and 25 boys’ schools across various educational stages in public schools. Initially launching in the Riyadh educational region, the program is part of a planned expansion to other regions of the Kingdom in the coming years.

The initiative was officially launched with a presentation by Mr. Sami Mohammed Samara to 46 physical education teachers from public schools in Riyadh, culminating in a symbolic gesture of tossing rugby balls from Ministry representatives to the teachers, marking the kickoff of this groundbreaking initiative.

Recognizing rugby sevens as an Olympic sport, the inclusion of rugby in the curriculum is poised to expand and accelerate the pathway for young players to excel in the sport. This strategic move aims to cultivate a strong foundation for rugby in the Kingdom, enabling aspiring athletes to represent Saudi Arabia in elite sporting events, including the Olympics.

Mr. Ali Musbah Al-Dajani, President of the Saudi Rugby Federation, and Dr. Anwar bin Abdullah Abu Abbad, Head of Student Activities, both expressed their enthusiasm and support for the initiative, highlighting its potential to enrich the physical education landscape and foster a new generation of rugby enthusiasts in Saudi Arabia.

This initiative underscores the Ministry of Education’s commitment to diversifying sports education and promoting physical activity among the youth, aligning with broader educational and developmental goals within the Kingdom.