Saudi sports authority holds press conference about 2020 Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia's sports chief says the country is opening a "new chapter in the history of the Dakar Rally", to be hosted by the country for the first time. Organisers of the 12-day marathon through the Arabian desert, which starts on January 5, have admitted they had qualms about bringing one of motor racing's most gruelling adventure rallies to the Gulf kingdom, which has been under fire over human rights abuses.\\n\\nOrganisers of the 12-day marathon through the Arabian desert, which starts on January 5, have admitted they had qualms about bringing one of motor racing's most gruelling adventure rallies to the Gulf kingdom, which has been under fire over human rights abuses.\\n IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES