The 2018 Foundation

Before the team ever stepped onto the world stage in Norway, the groundwork had to be laid behind closed doors. The journey to Stavanger actually began in 2018, driven by the relentless logistical and athletic groundwork of Coach and Founder Alastair Fyfe.

Building a curling program from scratch for a desert nation meant overcoming massive hurdles—from lack of dedicated ice to establishing a formal presence recognized by the World Curling Federation. Fyfe’s vision and structural work were the true catalyst, making it possible to assemble the first Saudi team and secure their ticket to international competition.

A Milestone on the Ice: Stavanger 2019

With the foundation set, April 2019 marked the public execution of that vision. The Sørmarka Arena in Stavanger, Norway, hosted the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, featuring a record 48 nations. This was a historic sporting milestone: the very first time the Saudi Arabian flag was flown on international curling ice at a World Curling Federation event.

Representing the Kingdom were Suleiman Alaqel and Karrie Alaqel. Stepping onto the world stage in a winter sport fundamentally foreign to the region’s sporting history, the duo set out to execute the plan Fyfe had set in motion.

Facing the Giants: The Reality of Experience

The 2019 championship was the final year of open entry for the tournament, bringing emerging programs face-to-face with established curling dynasties. For the Saudi team, the reality of the experience gap was stark. They were stepping onto the ice against legacy nations with decades of dedicated infrastructure, youth programs, and thousands of hours of competitive ice time.

The objective in Stavanger was never to sweep the podium. The mission was to establish a legitimate presence, learn the mechanics of high-level competition under pressure, and prove that Saudi Arabia belongs in the arena.

Earning Respect, End by End

Against formidable opponents, the true measure of the team’s debut was not found in the win column, but in their resilience. The most crucial statistic of the tournament for the Saudi duo was simple: despite the massive gap in experience, the team was never shut out.

In every single match, they fought to put points on the board. Ensuring that they scored in every game against seasoned international competitors required raw tenacity. It proved that the team possessed the competitive spirit and foundational potential necessary to build upon, rather than settling for mere participation.

Ground Zero: Saudi Curling is Just Starting

Stavanger 2019 was the proof of concept for the work started in 2018. The ice is broken, the initial international experience is logged, and the standard has been set.

Saudi Curling is just starting. The focus now shifts from making a debut to building the infrastructure, expanding the roster, and preparing for the next tier of international competition. The first stones have been thrown, and the foundation for the future of the sport in the Kingdom is officially in place.