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Turki Al-Sheikh

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Turki Alalshikh
تركي آل الشيخ
Al-Sheikh in 2019
Born
Turki Abdulmuhsen A. Alalshikh [1][2][3]
Arabic: تركي بن عبد المحسن بن عبد اللطيف آل الشيخ

(1981-08-04) August 4, 1981 (age 43)
Saudi Arabia
Alma materKing Fahd Security College
Occupations
Websitehttps://turkialalshikh.net

Turki bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Sheikh (Arabic: تركي بن عبد المحسن بن عبد اللطيف آل الشيخ; born August 4, 1981)[4] is a Saudi Arabian adviser at the Royal Court under the rank of Minister and the current Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority.[5][6] As chairman of the GEA, Alalshikh is credited with leading significant developments in Saudi Arabia, including contributions to sports and cultural arenas.[7]

Al-Sheikh is also Chairman of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF), and previously Honorary President of Al-Taawoun in Buraidah. He was the owner of Egyptian club Pyramids from 2018 to 2019. On 2 August 2019, he became the owner of Spanish club Almería, replacing Alfonso García Gabarrón. Al-Sheikh is also a poet and writer.[8]

Career

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Al-Sheikh graduated from King Fahd Security College in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in security sciences. He received certificates in criminology, investigation, risk management, and general management. He then worked in several government sectors including the Interior Ministry, the Emirate of Riyadh and the office of the Defense Minister and the Crown Prince. He was appointed an adviser to the royal court in 2015 and later, in 2017, he was promoted to be a royal advisor with the rank of minister.[5]

In September 2017, a royal decree was issued to appoint Al-Sheikh as the new chairman of the General Sports Authority.[9] In December 2018, he was appointed as chairman of the General Entertainment Authority.[10]

Film industry

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During Al-Sheikh's tenure as chairman of the GEA, Saudi Arabia saw the lift on a 35-year-old ban on cinemas.[11] Under Al-Sheikh, the GEA organised the Joy Forum19. The event was attended by Jackie Chan, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Jason Momoa, and Shah Rukh Khan. Al-Sheikh commented, "Today you are witnessing things we have never had in Saudi Arabia. We have 300,000 visitors to our events, and our sales have hit 80 per cent".[11]

Al-Sheikh scripted the Saudi horror movie The Cello (2023). Directed by Darren Bousman, the horror film stars Jeremy Irons and Tobin Bell, as well as Elham Ali and Samer Ismail. It is regarded as the first Arabic international horror film.[8]

In February 2024, Alalshikh launched a new investment fund geared towards upgrading Arabic cinema content in producing, distributing and making films featuring leading actors in the Arab world.[12]

Music industry

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During Al-Sheikh's tenure as head of the GEA, artists who performed in the country include Shakira,[13] Enrique Iglesias, Jason Derulo, Black Eyed Peas, Amr Diab, OneRepublic, David Guetta, Mariah Carey, DJ Tiesto, Janet Jackson, Liam Payne, Chris Brown, 50 Cent, Tyga, Future, Steve Aoki, BTS, Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, Akon, Andre Reyes, Imagine Dragons, Clean Bandit, Maluma, Marshmello, Shaggy, Lil Wayne, Calvin Harris, Major Lazer, Swedish House Mafia, Bryan Adams, Gipsy Kings, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Yanni, Nicolas Reyes & Tonino Baliardo, Craig David, Lionel Richie, Jose Carreras, Andrea Bocelli, Jamiroquai, Joan Smalls, Alessandra Ambrosio, Armie Hammer, and Ed Westwick.[14]

Sports

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Al-Sheikh is Chairman of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF),[15][16] and previously Honorary President of Al-Taawoun in Buraidah. He used to be the owner of the Egyptian club Pyramids from 2018 to 2019.[17][18] On 2 August 2019, he became the owner of Almería, replacing Alfonso García Gabarrón.[19] He named Mohamed El Assy as general director of the club.[20]

Turki Al-Sheikh has told ESPN he plans to fix 'broken' boxing.[21] Under Al-Sheikh's helm, Saudi Arabia has hosted a series of high-profile fights. His favourite boxers are Larry Holmes and Roberto Duran.[22]

In 2024, Oscar De La Hoya sold The Ring magazine to Al-Sheikh for $10 million.[23]

Awards

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  • In 2017, Al-Sheikh won the Arab Sport Culture Award[24] and was named the most influential Arab sports personality of the year at the 12th Dubai International Sports Conference.[5][25][26] In 2018, he won the Arab Sports Personality Award.[27]
  • In 2024, The Independent ranked him first on its list of "Top 50 Most Influential Figures in Boxing and MMA".[28] Also that year, he was named the "Most Influential Personality in the Last Decade" at the MENA Effie Awards.[29]
  • Ranked first on the list of the “50 Most Influential Figures in Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)[30]” by The Independent (UK).
  • Topped ESPN’s list of “Most Influential Figures in MMA and Professional Wrestling.[31][32]
  • Recognized by Sports Illustrated (SI) as the “Most Influential Figure in Boxing” for 2024[33]
  • The World Boxing Council (WBC) awarded him the prestigious “Man of the Year” award during an awards ceremony, recognizing his contributions to the development and promotion of boxing on a global scale[34]. Notable recipients of this award in the past include: Nelson Mandela (1999) Ronald Reagan Pope Francis (2019)
  • Received the “Most Influential Personality of the Last Decade[35]” award in 2024, presented by the MENA Effie Awards.

References

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  1. ^ "وكقت تركي بن آل الشيخ ومحب للفن". Arab News (in Arabic). 2023-09-17. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  2. ^ Slater, James (2024-01-18). "Turki Al-Sheikh Says "We Want Deontay Wilder To Come Back"". boxing247.com. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  3. ^ Binoy, Kevin (2024-01-19). "Conor McGregor Touted to Headline 'UFC Saudi Arabia' as Turki Al-Sheikh Reveals "Future" Deal With Dana White". The SportsRush. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  4. ^ "وكقت تركي بن آل الشيخ ومحب للفن". Al Arabiya (in Arabic). 1 November 2017.
  5. ^ a b c "FaceOf: Turki Al-Sheikh, Saudi General Sports Authority chairman". Arab News. 2018-06-11. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
  6. ^ "Turki Al-Sheikh: From cultural activism to head of Saudi Entertainment Authority". english.alarabiya.net. 27 December 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-27.
  7. ^ "Turki Al-Sheikh - the honest advisor who transferred global amusement to Saudi Arabia". 26 December 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Saudi horror film 'The Cello' premieres in Riyadh". 11 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Turki Al-Sheikh new head of General Sport Authority". Saudigazette. 2017-09-06. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
  10. ^ "King Salman reshuffles Cabinet, Assaf new foreign minister". Saudigazette. 2018-12-27. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
  11. ^ a b Nagraj, Aarti (2019-10-14). "International celebrities including Jackie Chan and Shah Rukh Khan attend Saudi forum". Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  12. ^ "Arabic films gain star status in Middle East cinema". AGBI. 2024-10-24. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  13. ^ "Shakira's spectacular debut performance lights up Riyadh Season 2023". www.samaa.tv. 2024-10-24. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  14. ^ "Saudi Arabia: 'Image Laundering' Conceals Abuses | Human Rights Watch". 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  15. ^ "Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation | ISSF holds its 10TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY". Retrieved 2019-03-16.
  16. ^ "بأمر الملك سلمان ... تركي آل الشيخ رئيساً لهيئة الرياضة السعودية". aawsat.com (in Arabic). 6 September 2017.
  17. ^ "Egyptian football revolution to take Africa by storm". ESPN.com. 2018-07-04. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
  18. ^ "UAE businessman Salem Al Shamsi acquires Egyptian football team Pyramids FC". The National. 6 July 2019.
  19. ^ Góngora, Rafa; Miralles, Carlos (2 August 2019). "Turki Al-Sheikh ya es el dueño del Almería". La Voz de Almería (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  20. ^ "Su excelencia Turki Al-Sheikh, nuevo propietario de la UD Almería". Unión Deportiva Almería (in Spanish). 2 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  21. ^ "Alalshikh has big plans for Canelo, Crawford, Fury". ESPN.com. 2024-05-06. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  22. ^ "Turki Al-Sheikh Refuses to Stage 'YouTuber Fights'; Says Favorite Boxers Are Larry Holmes and Roberto Duran". 22 January 2024.
  23. ^ https://www.heavyweightboxing.com/post/turki-alalshikh-acquires-the-ring-magazine-a-new-era-begins
  24. ^ "آل الشيخ يفوز بجائزة "شخصية الثقافة الرياضية"". www.alarabiya.net. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
  25. ^ "Ahmed bin Mohammed attends 12th Dubai International Sports Conference". wam. 28 December 2017. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
  26. ^ "Turki Al Al-Sheikh Wins Award of the Most Influential Figure in the Arab Football 2017". Saudi Press Agency. 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  27. ^ "Turki Al–Sheikh named Arab Sports Personality". Saudigazette. 2018-11-26. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
  28. ^ https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/boxing-ufc-rankings-fighters-promoters-b2491954.html
  29. ^ https://www.gulf-insider.com/turki-al-sheikh-receives-mena-effie-awards/
  30. ^ "The Independent's combat sports power rankings for 2024". The Independent. 2024-02-08. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  31. ^ "Ranking the top titans of the fight game: Where do Dana White, Canelo and The Rock land?". ESPN.com. 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  32. ^ Hasan, Sanaa (2024-09-15). "Al-Sheikh Named Top Influencer in Boxing, MMA, Wrestling". Leaders. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  33. ^ "THE MOST INFLUENTIAL AND POWERFUL PEOPLE IN THE SPORT IN 2024". KO On SI. 2024-12-17. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  34. ^ "Mauricio Sulaiman, Turki Alalshikh unveil WBC Grand Prix of Boxing". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  35. ^ "Saudi GEA chief named most influential personality of last decade at MENA Effie Awards". Arab News. 2024-11-22. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
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