Saudi Arabia to resume sports activities on June 21

The Saudi sports ministry eyes return to competition on August 4 - but events will be held without spectators

Al Hilal's Bafetimbi Gomis in action during the Asian Champions League football match between Al Hilal v Shahr Khodro held at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Saudi Arabia plans to lift its suspension of sporting events and activities from June 21, the kingdom's Ministry of Sports announced late on Thursday.

It said it will instruct the country's sports federations to set August 4, 2020 as the date to return to competition, though spectators will still be barred from attending events.

Guidelines for the resumption of training and the return to competition will be issued in the coming days, the statement said.

The Ministry said it will also coordinate with the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee and the country's sports federations, to "stand up to all preventive measures and mechanisms" in order to ensure the safety of all employees in the sector.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, the Minister of Sports, also issued a decision to form a committee to directly supervise the return of sports activity and to evaluate the situation continuously amid the coronavirus pandemic.