Diriyah Gate Development Authority Working to Develop Diriyah into Global Life Destination: CEO
The CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, Jerry Enzrillo, affirmed that the authority is working to develop Diriyah, “the jewel of the Kingdom” by transforming it into global life destinations.
The authority is highlighting culture, heritage, hospitality, retail, education, and reactivating this important part of Saudi history, rendering it one of the greatest gathering places in the world just as the Formula Championship was hosted in Diriyah.
In an interview with the Saudi Press Agency, on the occasion of the Kingdom’s hosting of the Formula E championship in Diriyah on February 26 and 27, 2021, he said: “The year 2020 was a year of challenges that faced the world due to the Corona pandemic.”
Diriyah has achieved a great accomplishment in the infrastructure project to become one of the largest and most advanced infrastructures in the world.
New contracts that include design and construction operations for development projects in Diriyah that adapt to the original Najdi architecture are to be signed.
The Formula E Championship 2021 will be held in the historic Diriyah city which is a very important event as it is the first race to be held at night in the history of Formula Championships.
This tournament is the third to be held in Diriyah and in Al-Turaif neighborhoods, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and will add more excitement to one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
He explained that the work on lighting the Formula E race circuit with environmentally friendly lighting and low-consumption LED technology at night contributed to the increase in creativity and innovation in hosting the championship, and seeing sustainable solutions that were more energy-efficient and reduce carbon emissions.
He explained that the mission of the Diriyah Gate Authority in this championship is to confirm the position of Diriyah as one of the greatest gathering places in the world that embraces all modern amenities and advanced infrastructure and is a distinctive tourist destination for visitors to the Kingdom, specifically the city of Diriyah in Riyadh.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the scene of the Formula E race track against the historical background of Diriyah is an appropriate representation of the vision of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority to protect the history of Diriyah while taking steps towards the future, indicating that they have future plans to host international sporting events on a wide and varied scale, as Diriyah is the land of kings and heroes, and the place where the first Saudi state was built.
He revealed that in the future, sports and health will take pioneering roles in the Kingdom with the realization of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The authority has ambitious projects to establish world-class golf courses, picturesque squares and oases that will enhance social and human interaction in Diriyah.
It will also establish tracks dedicated to horse riders in order to become an integrated city with its glorious history and present beautiful and bright future.
The CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority said: “Diriyah is proud to host the Formula E race in cooperation with the Ministry of Sports. Our world-class destination in Diriyah is distinguished by its rich heritage, ambitious sustainability goals, vast areas of the natural environment and an improved quality of life at its core.”
Moreover, he pointed out that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a diverse country in its history and heritage, and includes a wonderful atmosphere with natural landscapes and has a history of stories to tell.
The health and safety of drivers and those who will attend the championship either for work or for media coverage is a top priority for the organizers of the Formula E championship, he stressed.
As for precautionary measures, there will be strict application of health instructions; there will also be an electronic examination to detect the Coronavirus inside red spaces designated for screening.
The screening space will allow for increased adaptability and flexibility in the examinations while reducing reliance on local PCR testing facilities and ensuring consistent and high standards to accelerate the delivery of results.
