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RIYADH: Cameroon, Azerbaijan, and Mongolia’s national teams arrived in the Kingdom on Sunday to take part in the World Championship in Fire and Rescue Sport, held in Riyadh from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1.

The General Directorate of Civil Defense is hosting the event in partnership with the International Sport Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers.

The championship marks the first time an Arab nation has hosted the event since the federation’s establishment in 2001, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The event highlights the Kingdom’s growing stature as a global hub for major international sporting events, with participation from 22 countries.

Russian Minister of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Disaster Relief Lt. Gen. Alexander Kurenkov arrived in the Saudi capital to attend the event.

Many national teams from other countries, including China and Kyrgyzstan, also reached out to participate in the fire and rescue sport event.

Firefighting and rescue sports simulate real-life firefighting operations in a competitive framework that tests athletes’ speed, endurance, and teamwork, the SPA reported.

The championship includes four main competitions: hook ladder climbing, the 100-meter hurdles, the 400-meter relay, and the water pump and hose firefighting race.

The Ministry of Interior, through the General Directorate of Passports, has introduced a special stamp marking the championship, available to travelers arriving at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

º£½ÇÖ±²¥ joined the federation in 2022 to help develop fire and rescue sports locally and globally, enhance international cooperation, and build human capabilities.

This is achieved through sharing knowledge, expertise, and skills, and introducing new rescue and firefighting technologies, the SPA reported.

Aleksandr Chupriyan, president of the federation, praised the Kingdom’s efforts and expressed confidence that º£½ÇÖ±²¥ will deliver an outstanding championship.