Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has come to regard the fitness of its
soldiers as an issue.

Officials said the Saudi leadership has determined that the physical
fitness of many infantry and other troops was poor.

The officials said the military command long neglected fitness to stress on other aspects, particularly mobility and military technology.

“Soldiers who fail to pass physical fitness tests or demonstrate the required physical and mental health should not be promoted or allowed to pass the training phase,” Saudi Maj. Gen. Mohammed Abu Saq said.

Abu Saq, a member of the Saudi Shura Council, has introduced a plan to increase physical fitness among military personnel.

He said the program would introduce a unified standard of fitness throughout the Saudi military, while taking into account the demands of each service.

In an interview with the Saudi-owned A-Sharq Al Awsat, Abu Saq said physical fitness would play a major role in increasing combat readiness. He
said recruits would undergo a range of exercises to enhance both
physical and psychological skills.

Officials said both soldiers and officers would require fitness tests to
remain in the service. They said the military would
demand that officers of all ranks test for fitness.

The Abu Saq plan called for higher levels of fitness for combat and
elite units. The plan called for soldiers and officers to be given time and
resources to maintain and improve fitness.

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