RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is among 54 countries participating in this month’s Islamic Solidarity Games that are being held in the Turkish city of Konya.Over 130 male and female athletes will represent the Kingdom during Konya 2021, with the event taking place between Aug. 9 and 18.Saudis are scheduled to compete in the women’s 3×3 basketball, darts, gymnastics, athletics, fencing, football, handball, judo, karate, archery, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, weightlifting, wrestling, and Paralympic swimming.
The Kingdom’s Makkah region hosted the first Islamic Solidarity Games in 2005, with Saudi athletes topping the table with 60 medals (24 gold, 17 silver, and 19 bronze).The second event was due to take place in Iran in 2009 but did not go ahead.The Indonesian cities of Palembang and Sumatra hosted the third games in 2013. Saudi Arabia ranked seventh after its athletes won 16 medals (seven gold, three silver, and six bronze).In 2017, the Azerbaijani capital of Baku hosted the fourth Islamic Solidarity Games. The Kingdom ranked 11th in the medal table with a haul of four gold, one silver, and six bronze.