Saudi Arabia is set to host Dakar Rally 2020 on January 5, marking the first time the historic race is held in Asia. Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Chairman of the General Sports Authority, said: “Hosting the worlds toughest race for many years, the Dakar Rally, is a confirmation that the Kingdom welcomes the world to see stunning views, vibrant cities and the vast desert where sand dunes converge with the sea.” The rally will move to the Middle East following ten years in South America. In announcing the Kingdom’s hosting of the event in April, Prince Abdulaziz said the achievement is a product of the massive support by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, to the Saudi sports sector. “Our country is passionate about sports and our strategic goal is to meet this passion to move forward in achieving Vision 2030,” he stressed. As part of this vision, Saudi Arabia has hosted a series of major global sports events, such as the Italian Super Cup and a Formula E race. The Dakar started in 1977 as a race from Paris and across the Sahara desert to the Senegalese capital in West Africa and has long been regarded as the world’s toughest motorsport challenge.