Sumanta Roy, Group ICT President, Mannai Corporation, discusses connected stadiums, sports technology, scalable digital platforms and AI-powered cyber resilience at LEAP 2026.
Saudi Arabia’s accelerating digital transformation is creating new opportunities for organisations to build secure, scalable technology foundations while supporting economic diversification. Sports technology is also emerging as a key area of innovation, with AI, cloud and data reshaping athlete performance, connected stadiums, fan engagement and coaching.
In an interview with TahawulTech at LEAP 2026, Sumanta Roy, Group ICT President, Mannai Corporation, discusses Mannai Information Technology’s growing presence in Saudi Arabia, its connected-platform capabilities, the evolution of the Kingdom’s sports technology ecosystem and the role of AI in strengthening cyber resilience.
Interview excerpts
What is Mannai Information Technology showcasing at LEAP 2026, and are there any new announcements to highlight? Mannai Information Technology is relatively new to Saudi Arabia, so LEAP 2026 provides an important opportunity to introduce our brand and showcase the work we have delivered across the GCC. Our capabilities cover connected platforms, stadiums, buildings and airports. This year, we are focusing particularly on connected stadiums and the broader sports technology ecosystem surrounding them. We have not made a specific announcement at LEAP.
“Mannai is committed to expanding its footprint across the Gulf, the wider Middle East and Africa, with a particular focus on new opportunities in North Africa and the Gulf region.”
How is digital transformation supporting Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification?
Saudi Arabia has an opportunity to leapfrog legacy technologies and build its digital infrastructure from the ground up. Instead of retrofitting older systems, the Kingdom can establish a strong digital spine that supports use cases across citizen services, education, healthcare and other sectors. A digital foundation designed to work across industries, remain secure, and scale effectively can support the creation of new services and business models. This approach enables economic diversification to be incorporated into the Kingdom’s digital development from the outset.
How can AI, cloud and data create smarter stadiums and transform fan experiences as Saudi Arabia’s sports ecosystem evolves?
Sports technology can be viewed across four main areas. The first focuses on athletes and performers, using data to monitor factors such as nutrition, weight, movement and overall performance. Similar technologies can also support motorsport by analysing variables such as weather and track conditions. The second area is the in-stadium experience, including connectivity, content, instant replays and other digital services. The third is the wider fan experience, covering how supporters follow teams, access replays, engage with events and purchase merchandise. The fourth area concerns aspiring athletes. Technology can help a young footballer assess physical development, identify the most suitable playing position and access personalised coaching. This could include guidance from professional coaches or AI-powered training platforms. Demand for these capabilities is high, and the technology is developing rapidly.
“The diversity of applications means sports technology can deliver value to athletes, venues, fans and emerging talent.”
What practical steps can organisations in the Kingdom take to strengthen resilience amid an evolving regulatory and threat landscape?
Artificial intelligence can be used both to launch cyber threats and defend against them. AI-powered security tools can analyse patterns, identify anomalies and detect potential threats faster than many traditional technologies. No enterprise can assume it is completely protected from cyberattacks. Organisations must therefore focus not only on prevention but also on how quickly they can recover following an incident. AI can support this process by helping organisations isolate threats, protect critical computing environments and prioritise the restoration of essential services. Strong resilience requires effective threat detection, well-defined recovery priorities and the ability to restore operations quickly.
Source: Tahawul Tech