AR
His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan
By Kent Gray
What do you get when you mix a Harvard Business School education, investment banking experience, the visionary governorship of one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds and deep personal passion for golf?
A vastly experienced, business-savvy, globally connected and wholly invigorated new President of the Arab Golf Federation (AGF), that’s what.
His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan ascended to the pivotal role on January 1 and immediately pledged his “full commitment” to helping the AGF’s 19-member nations become even more influential contributors to the growth of golf globally.
The dual Golf Saudi and Saudi Golf Federation (SGF) Chairman’s appointment was part of a double-whammy for the Kingdom as Majed Al Sorour, the CEO at Golf Saudi and Deputy Chairman of the SGF, was announced as the AGF’s new Secretary-General.
Majed Al Sorour
It means the ambitious duo behind the rise and rise of Saudi Arabian golf have now been charged with super-charging the game’s governance and development across the Arab world.
Further to that noble grow the game mission as an R&A and Arab Olympic Committee sanctioned organisation, Al-Rumayyan believes the AGF is ready to play an even bigger role developing the professional game.
“The Arab Golf Federation represents one of the most important regional clusters in not only global golf development, but worldwide professional golf,” said Al-Rumayyan.
“Since as far back as the late 1980s, the Middle East has become a catalyst for the game’s growth and enjoys a rich heritage in promoting the sport. This is something I know all members take great pride in and is a driving force in our vision for the future.”
Sport has been a cornerstone of Al-Rumayyan’s career and as the Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) – the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – he is responsible for the multi-billion-dollar investment in sporting events forming part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s transformative economic and social reform blueprint opening up the Kingdom to the world.
With a Harvard Business School education and subsequent experience in wealth management and investment banking, the organisation stands to benefit from Al-Rumayyan’s business acumen as well as a passion for, and substantial professional expertise in, the development of Saudi golf.
“It is an honour for me to take on the role as AGF President. First of all, I would like to congratulate my predecessor His Excellency Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi on the fantastic job he has done in leading the Arab Golf Federation and thank him personally for his success in bringing the great game of golf to the Arab people,” Al-Rumayyan said.
“I am not only a passionate golfer, but recognise the true value the sport can deliver, across all our societies. I pledge my full commitment to focussing on how the AGF can support the game’s governing bodies, in their mission to develop the game around the world, as well as mobilising our collective resources to maximise opportunities for Arab nations in our growing participation in game’s global future.”
A keen golfer himself, Al Sorour will be looking to bring his widespread business and sporting expertise in his new role at the AGF.
“Thanks must go to Mr. Adel Mohammed Al Zarouni, who I take over from as the Arab Golf Federation’s new Secretary General,” said Al Sorour.
“I am incredibly proud to take up this new position, given the ever-increasing prominence of Saudi Arabia in the global golf industry and having already worked closed alongside His Excellency at Golf Saudi, I am confident that we will be able to deliver an inspired strategy for golf in the Middle East which sees the sport’s continued growth in the region.”
