sporting event

Saudi Arabia said Wednesday it will hold its biggest sporting event next month, with 6,000 athletes expected to participate, the latest extravaganza in a push to soften its ultra-conservative image.

The “Saudi Games” will be held in Riyadh between March 23 and April 1 and will feature 40 sports — including swimming, athletics, archery, badminton and basketball — that will be open to men and women, officials said.