Saudi informatics team to compete at Balkan Olympiad 2026 in Albania

The Saudi national informatics team will participate in the 33rd Balkan Olympiad in Informatics (BOI 2026), to be held in Tirana, Albania, from September 14 to 20. The event will bring together more than 70 students from 18 countries.

The list of participants includes 13 member countries and five guest nations from outside the Balkans, where top high school students will compete in algorithmic and programming challenges and exchange expertise.

Saudi team and training program

Saudi Arabia will be represented by six students: Saad Bandar Al-Arifi and Abdullah Faris Al-Othaibi from Riyadh, Fares Yasser Al-Raddadi from Madinah, Al-Mundhir Saeed Al-Ghamdi from Al-Baha, Mohammed Abdulrahman Bashkeel from Jeddah, and Hashim Ibrahim Basyuni from the Royal Commission in Yanbu.

The participation is part of the Mawhiba International Olympiads Program, organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in partnership with the Ministry of Education. The program features a series of training camps and workshops led by local and international experts to develop students' skills and enhance their competitiveness.

Saudi achievements and intensive training

Saudi Arabia has previously won 13 awards at the Balkan Olympiad, including six bronze medals and seven certificates of merit. This year marks the Kingdom's fourth appearance in the competition.

The team undergoes a rigorous training regimen, including qualifying contests, assessments, and simulations of international competitions, with a focus on problem-solving, algorithm design, and programming skills.

The Mawhiba Olympiads Program prepares students over two to four years, strengthening their readiness to compete and represent Saudi Arabia at major international scientific events.