In a significant turning point for the cultural landscape of the Al-Baha region, the Al-Baha Literary Association's board elections resulted in the selection of renowned poet and media personality Hassan bin Mohammed Al-Zahrani as its first chairman. This election marks the culmination of a transitional phase that saw the region's literary club transformed into a non-profit association, in line with the Ministry of Culture's strategy to develop the cultural sector in the Kingdom.

The voting process took place in a democratic atmosphere and was overseen by a specialized committee comprising Professor Khairallah Zarban, Professor Amin Al-Asri, and Professor Najwa Al-Omari. The interim chairman of the board, Dr. Mansour Al-Harthi, and members of the general assembly, who expressed their confidence in the winning list, were also present. In addition to Al-Zahrani, Professor Musfir Al-Adwani was elected vice president, while Ghaliyah Jumaan Al-Qalti, Areej Hanish Atiq, and Tawfiq Ghanem were elected as board members, each receiving 10 votes.

Background to the transformation: From club to association

This transformation is part of a comprehensive national project launched by the Saudi Ministry of Culture in 2019, aimed at converting all sixteen literary clubs in the Kingdom into non-profit, non-governmental organizations. This strategic step aims to enhance the independence of these cultural entities, enabling them to diversify their funding sources and expand their activities to encompass various aspects of literature, culture, and the arts. This new legal framework also grants them greater flexibility in forging partnerships with the public and private sectors, allowing them to contribute more effectively to achieving the cultural objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

The importance of the event and its expected impact

Locally, this transformation is expected to open new horizons for the cultural landscape in the Al-Baha region. After decades of operating under the umbrella of literary clubs, which played a pivotal role in nurturing talent and disseminating literary works, the new association will be able to launch more innovative and diverse initiatives, such as cultural festivals, specialized workshops, and programs aimed at youth and children, thus enhancing cultural activity and making it more connected to the local community. Nationally, the success of this experiment in Al-Baha and other regions demonstrates the maturity of the Saudi cultural sector and its ability to evolve and adapt to the demands of the times, transitioning from direct government support to a more sustainable model based on governance and community participation.

The cultural community places great hopes on the new board of directors, led by Al-Zahrani, who is known for his long history of serving culture, to lead the association towards achieving its goals and enhancing Al-Baha’s position as an important cultural destination on the map of the Kingdom.

On an exceptional evening that brought together the brightest stars of art, sports, and media in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, His Excellency Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), honored Mr. Nasser bin Ghanem Al-Khelaifi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of beIN Media Group and President of Paris Saint-Germain, with the “Diamond Entertainment Makers Award.” This prestigious recognition came during the sixth edition of the “Joy Awards” ceremony, which has become one of the most prominent entertainment events in the region and the world.

Background of the event and its growing importance

The JOY AWARDS ceremony is an integral part of Riyadh Season, the ambitious initiative under Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a global tourism and entertainment destination. Since its inception, the ceremony has garnered significant international attention, annually bringing together leading figures in film, drama, music, and sports to celebrate their achievements and honor their inspiring careers. This event reflects the Kingdom's remarkable transformation in the entertainment sector and its pursuit of establishing itself as a regional hub for creative industries.

A well-deserved tribute to an influential figure

The awarding of the Diamond Award to Nasser Al-Khelaifi recognizes his pivotal and influential role in shaping the landscape of the sports entertainment and media industry on the international stage. Al-Khelaifi not only serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of beIN Media Group, one of the world's largest sports media networks, but also chairs the Board of Directors of Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), which has transformed Paris Saint-Germain into one of the giants of European football. This honor highlights Al-Khelaifi's significant contributions to the development of global sports content and its successful integration with the modern entertainment industry, making him one of the most prominent leaders in this vital field.

Regional and international implications

This honor carries dimensions that extend far beyond simply celebrating a prominent figure; it symbolizes the growing cooperation and integration among the major players in the entertainment and sports industries in the Gulf region. The presence of a figure of Nasser Al-Khelaifi's stature and his recognition in the heart of Riyadh reinforces JOY AWARDS' position as a unifying international platform and sends a positive message about the future of regional partnerships in the creative and economic sectors. It also underscores that sports have become an integral part of the global entertainment ecosystem, and that investing in them is an investment in a soft power with far-reaching influence.

Words from the heart and a message to the youth

Upon receiving the award, Al-Khelaifi expressed his profound happiness at this honor, extending his deepest gratitude to His Excellency Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh for this generous gesture. He emphasized his pride in being in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia among this distinguished group of innovators. Al-Khelaifi also delivered an inspiring message to Arab youth, urging them to hold fast to their ambitions and work hard, noting that persistence and perseverance are the only way to realize their dreams and transform them into tangible achievements.