Saudi Arabia Strengthens Paralympic Presence through Blind Sports Development

Sports for the visually impaired in Saudi Arabia are growing through integrated programs, partnerships, and structured talent development pathways to support the Kingdom’s presence in regional and international Paralympic competitions.
 President of the Saudi Federation for Visual Impairments Dr. Faisal Barwais told the Saudi Press Agency that the federation builds an integrated developmental pathway for athletes, from early talent discovery through preparation to competition, relying on the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model to ensure data-driven training decisions. He noted that General Authority for Statistics data places the number of visually impaired individuals in the Kingdom at over 181,000, reflecting the scale of national responsibility in this sector.
 Since becoming an independent entity in 2022 under the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the federation has adopted a long-term development approach supported by digital platforms. It focuses on goalball, blind judo, and blind football, and also supports powerlifting and table tennis.
 Saudi athletes have achieved notable results, including the national goalball team winning gold at the 2026 West Asian Para Games in Muscat. In judo, an athlete placed fifth at the 2025 Grand Prix in Egypt.
 The federation works with partners including the Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, King Saud University, and specialized associations. Future plans include completing player development pathways, expanding initiatives in schools and universities, and finalizing digital data management systems.
 Barwais said sport helps improve quality of life by strengthening self-confidence, community integration, and independence, and that developing national cadres remains a key priority.