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RIYADH: This year’s edition of the ABB Formula E��Diriyah��E-Prix will be a success��thanks to the recent experience gained in preparing to��host��top class sporting events in the Kingdom, according to the president of the ����ֱ�� Motor Federation.��

Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Faisal told Arab News on Friday that while putting on large scale events in the Kingdom can pose a��challenge, preparations for this year’s electric racing series��event were easier and smoother, which he said would make the 2019 edition��a��success.

“The first year was a big challenge for us, when you see Saudi��Arabia,��we haven’t organized an event at such a high level as the Formula E.��

“For our team, the Saudi automobile and motorcycle federations, to organize an event at such a high level was a challenge, but we got all the support we needed from the government, and�� our youth are very intelligent, enthusiastic and excited about these events,��so we gave them the proper training,” he said.��

WATCH: President of ����ֱ�� Motor Federation Prince Kahlid bin Sultan Al-Faisal speaks to Arab News about this weekend's which got under way on Friday.

— Arab News (@arabnews)

“It was a strong mission, but��we got all the support we needed, we did the best we do and��I think we did a good job.��So,��this year it was easier for us, we got used to it and the team is well prepared mentally and physically, we had more time to prepare, so we’re in a much more relaxed situation,” Prince Khalid added.��

And, according to the prince, the importance of hosting such events is a part of the growth of ����ֱ�� as a country.��

“The Formula E is such a big event, and such an important event for us as Saudis because we are very big fans of motorsports in general,” he said.��

“Hosting such an event at this time in ����ֱ�� is very important, especially as we are known as a country��dependent��on oil, and now we have the vision of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to change our economy relying on the oil and investing in alternative energy.��

“We have a big change in ����ֱ�� and motorsport is part of it,” he added.��

Prince Khalid told Arab News that hosting events like Formula E in historical sites such as��Diriyah��forms a perfect alliance with the plans of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 for boosting tourism.��

"We want to show the world how beautiful our country is, and that is why we chose��Diriyah, because it is a historical place, it is a UNESCO place, it was the first capital of ����ֱ�� and the landscape is very beautiful.��We are happy as we have the double this year, so it’s double-fun with the double race.����
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“We are looking for an exciting weekend and��as we succeeded last year,��this year is going to be a success as well.”��