Summer break boosts youth sports and recreation in Qassim

The Qassim region is witnessing a marked increase in young men and women engaging in sports and recreational activities during the summer break, thanks to the availability of sports facilities, specialized gyms, and seasonal events offering a wide range of healthy and safe options for leisure and physical activity.

Football tops the list of most popular activities, whether on open fields or in indoor halls. Numerous friendly tournaments and summer leagues are organized, attracting teams from across the region's governorates and helping to foster competition and discover new talent.

Padel, billiards, and bowling are also drawing significant interest, especially among young people. Fitness centers and sports clubs are seeing increased activity from those keen to maintain their fitness during the holiday period.

For women, dedicated gyms continue to welcome large numbers of members, with fitness, Pilates, and strength training classes reflecting a growing interest in health and sports among girls in the region.

Mansour Al-Suwaid, a trainer at a Qassim gym, noted that the summer break brings a noticeable rise in trainees compared to other times of the year. He said the gym caters to all age groups, from youth to seniors, with diverse training programs to meet everyone’s needs. Al-Suwaid added that this growing turnout reflects increased awareness of the importance of sports for health and making productive use of free time, benefiting both individuals and the community.

Summer activities are not limited to physical sports. Game and entertainment cafés are also seeing high demand for board games, billiards, and electronic video games, which have become a key part of the youth entertainment scene during the break.

Padel player Basim Al-Humaidani said the sport has become one of the top choices for young people during the summer, offering a blend of physical activity, fun, and entertainment. He added that he regularly plays padel for the enjoyment and positive competition it brings with friends, as well as its health benefits. The spread of padel courts across Qassim’s governorates has further boosted its popularity, making it a preferred way to spend free time in summer.

Many families are also taking their children to public parks and walking tracks to enjoy walking, jogging, cycling, and scooter riding, taking advantage of the region’s pleasant evening weather.

Experts believe the variety of sports and recreational options has helped young people make better use of their free time, encouraged more active lifestyles, fostered social interaction, developed skills, and raised awareness of the importance of sports as part of daily life.

Authorities and the private sector continue to support summer programs and activities by organizing tournaments and sports events and providing attractive environments for all age groups, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to increase sports participation and improve quality of life.