Organisers of the Islamic Solidarity Games have indicated that British athletes could be invited to participate in future editions of the quadrennial multi-sport event. Nasser Majali, secretary general of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA), said the prospect of Team GB involvement would be “interesting to see”.
The next Games are scheduled for November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and are currently limited to the 57 member nations of the ISSA, which correspond to the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation. However, Majali noted that the event is not restricted to Muslim athletes, citing the example of a Christian swimmer from Jordan who won gold in 2017.
Speaking in London on Wednesday, Majali said: “It would be great quality sports. It would be interesting to see. It depends on the appetite, it depends on what we are able to do based on sustainability. But having good quality sports competitions is always welcome.” He added that while participation is currently limited to ISSA members, “you don’t know how [participation] can be done in the future”.
The Islamic Solidarity Games will be a key milestone in Saudi Arabia’s preparations for the 2034 FIFA World Cup and a potential Olympic bid. The event will include the construction of an athletes’ village for the first time in the country and may feature competitions in public spaces, similar to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Majali, a former secretary general of the Jordanian Olympic Committee, described Riyadh as a “major” sporting destination. “You’ve got excellent quality competitions happening all the time there. It’s become second nature to deliver such events and the quality is spectacular,” he said.
