Women's sport in Saudi Arabia

Women's sport in Saudi Arabia has been a controversial topic for many years due to the suppression of female participation in sport by conservative Islamic religious authorities.[1]

In 2013 Saudi Arabia’s first dedicated sports centre for girls was opened in Khobar, offering training programs that include physical fitness, karate, yoga and weight loss as well as special activities for children.[2] That year it was also announced that Saudi Arabian girls are officially allowed to practice sports in private schools, which they had not officially been allowed to do previously, though some had done so unofficially.[3] Sports activities are prohibited in public schools for girls.[4] In 2017, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education (MoE) allowed physical education in public schools.[5] This step was taken in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 to boost healthy practices among different spectrums in Saudi Arabia.[5]

Until 2018 women were not permitted in sport stadiums, even as spectators. Segregated seating, allowing women to enter, has been developed in King Fahd Stadium, King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium.[6]

In the framework of the Saudi's endeavour to promote women's sport, Princess Reema bint Bandar was appointed as the head of the Saudi Federation for Community Sports (SFCS) which made her the first Saudi woman to occupy such a position.[7]

In 2019, the first female Saudi sport commentator, Hailah Al-Farraj, was hired.[8] Farraj was selected to comment on the GCC women's soccer competition.[8]

In 2019 Saudi Arabia hosted the first open format curling tournament ever held in Africa or the Middle East. The event took place at the Funland Bowling & Ice Skating Centre in Manama, Bahrain, on Friday 11th and Saturday 12 October 2019. Hosted by the Kingdom Curling Association. The tournament iwas open to 12 teams of four or more player. Each team required a mixture of male and female athletes.

Olympic and Paralympic games
Main articles: Saudi Arabia at the Olympics and Saudi Arabia at the Paralympics

The Saudi 2012 Summer Olympics team included female athletes for the first time ever,[9] and they also sent women athletes again in 2016.[4] but the Paralympic team has not yet included any women.[10]

2012 Summer Olympics in London
Main article: Saudi Arabia at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Saudi Arabia sending women to compete in the Olympics in 2012 was listed at number two in Cambridge News' top nine milestones for women in sports.[11] Sarah Attar, an American born dual US-Saudi citizen, participated in women's track finishing last in the competition,[12] while Wojdan Shaherkani was defeated in her Judo competition in under two minutes. Despite the losses, being the first women to represent their country in the Olympics is considered an overall success for the participants, and Attar received a standing ovation as she pursued the finish line from the audience in London. She reports seeing positive changes during her visits to Saudi Arabia as a result of her participation, with female students becoming more interested in sport.[13] However, coverage of the female participants was minimal in the Saudi media,[14] and Saudi scholar Ali al-Ahmed has said that "their presence has allowed Saudi Arabia to escape criticism".[12]

2016 Summer Olympics in Rio
Main article: Saudi Arabia at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Saudi Arabia sent four athletes to the Rio Olympics, with Attar competing in the marathon, Kariman Abuljadayel, a student at Northeastern University,[15] in the 100m, Joud Fahmy in judo, and Lubna Al-Omair in fencing.[13] All were selected through wild cards.

Attar finished second last out of finishers in the marathon.[16][12] Abuljadayel came seventh in her heat with a time of 14.02s[17] and al-Omair lost in the first round. Fahmy pulled out of the judo before competing, in an apparent effort to avoid fighting Israeli competitor Gili Cohen, although this was denied by the Saudi delegtion.[18]

The Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee website did not name any of the women representing the Kingdom.[19]

Football
Main article: Women's football in Saudi Arabia

The nonexistence of a women's national football team is a perennial issue between FIFA and the Saudi Arabia Football Federation. FIFA changed their rules in 2012 to allow players to wear a hijab during FIFA sanctioned matches, but Saudi authorities declined to comment.[20] However, in 2018 the Saudi Arabia's Football Federation (SAFF) hired two women as members of its board which is considered a new step towards forming a national women team in Saudi Arabia.[21]

Basketball

In Jeddah in 2003 the first women’s basketball team in Saudi Arabia was formed by Lina Al-Maeena,[22] co-founder of the Jeddah United Sporting Company; the first sports organization that sought to include the development of women athletes in 2006.[23] Jeddah United provides an environment where male and female, children and adult, can participate in sporting activities. Their goal is to embrace all Saudis to partake in physical activity through sports all around the country. As of December 2013 the number of members enrolled was above 500. Jeddah United has also played a role in establishing similar organizations in Khobar (Khobar United) and in the capital city Riyadh (Riyadh United).[22] Their long term goal is to produce top class athletes that can compete on a professional level throughout the country, and on the world stage.[23]

Running

In 2013 a running Community was born in the City of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Jeddah Running Community (JRC) is the first mixed-gender running group in the kingdom.[24] Initiated by a group of expats and locals, the group regularly run in the streets of Jeddah. The movement and also expanded to three other cities; Riyadh (Riyadh Urban runners), Khobar (Khobar Running Krew), and Madina (Madina Runners).

All four groups are combined under the YALLARUN organization.[25] with the support of the organization, they were able to have several races and competitions locally.[26] A branch from JRC became the Jeddah Running Community Women (JRCW) which is a group exclusively for women, the aim of the group is to start training beginners to be able to compete in 5 km races. The group was created to give a chance for women who want to participate but not in a mixed gender group.[27]

Since then more groups have formed, including Bliss Runners in Jeddah.[28][29]

Due to Saudi law that women must wear a long black dress while in public all women of the running Community run the streets with sports outfits covered by a black dress.[30] However, some women have begun wearing sports friendly abayas which are gaining traction.[31]

In March 2018, the first female road rance was held in Saudi Arabia with 1500 women taking part.[32]

Female motorsport drivers

The first saudi female race driver is Reema Juffali. In 2019, Juffali represented Saudi Arabia in F4 British Championship at Brands Hatch.[33]

References
  1. "Saudi women push for right to play sports - Sport". ArabianBusiness.com. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  2. "Saudi Arabia opens first sports centre for women". GulfNews.com. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  3. "Saudi government sanctions sports in some girls' schools". CNN.com. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  4. "Saudi Arabia: No women on Asian Games Team". Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch.
  5. "Saudi Arabia approves physical education program in girls' schools". Arab News. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  6. Grinberg and Hallam, Emanuella and Jonny. "Saudi Arabia to let women into sports stadiums". www.cnn.com/2017/10/29/middleeast/saudi-arabia-women-sports-arenas/index.html. CNN. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  7. "Determined and Inspiring: 50 Saudi Women in Sports". About Her. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  8. "Haila Al-Farraj is first Saudi female sports commentator". Saudigazette. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  9. Magnay, Jacquelin. "London 2012 Olympics: Saudi Arabia will send women to Games for the first time". Telegraph. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  10. "Olympics-Winning matters for Saudi Paralympics coach - Chicago Tribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. Reuters. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  11. "Nine milestones for women in sport". Cambridge News. Cambridge News. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  12. Sarah Barker. "The Complicated Story Of American Olympians And The Hijab". Deadspin. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  13. Michelle Hamiton (3 August 2016). "Two Female Runners to Compete in the Olympics for Saudi Arabia". Runners World.
  14. "Saudi female athletes: Heroes in London, 'prostitutes of the Olympics' at home". RT.com. RT. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  15. Molly Callahan (2 May 2017). "Meet the graduates: Kariman Abuljadayel". Northeastern.
  16. "Female marathon runners at Rio Olympics inspiring in their own ways – Toronto Star". The Star. 14 August 2016.
  17. "Saudi Arabian sprinter Kariman Abuljadayel makes history as first woman from the kingdom to compete in 100 metres at the Olympics". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  18. Anna Giaritelli (8 August 2016). "Saudi Olympic fighter refuses to compete against Israeli". Washington Examiner.
  19. "Saudi sportswoman Sarah Attar breaks gender barriers in Rio marathon". Hindustan Times. 2 August 2016.
  20. Reuters / AFP (30 April 2012). "FIFA lifts ban on hijab for women footballers – The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  21. "Saudi football chiefs appoint first women board members". Saudigazette. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  22. Kotb, Mayar. "Jeddah United: A window to how Saudi society is changing". yourmiddleeast.com. Your Middle East. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  23. "Cultural Diversity – Sports for Women in Saudi Society - Lina Al-Maeena". UNESCO.
  24. "Born to Run: Jeddah Running Community - MOJEH". MOJEH. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  25. "YALLARUN.ORG - International Women's Day Run 2018". www.yallarun.org.
  26. "Jeddah's All-Female Race Ready To Run". About Her. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  27. Alhamdan, Shahd (6 August 2017). "When running becomes a lifestyle in Jeddah streets". Saudigazette. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  28. https://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-women-run-to-promote-fitness-culture-1.2172240. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  29. http://www.arabnews.com/node/1262276/saudi-arabia
  30. Case-Levine, Julia. "Meet the Saudi Arabian women fighting sexism through secret running clubs". Quartz. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  31. "Saudi Arabian women embrace sports-friendly abayas". hindustantimes. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  32. Nicole Darrah (6 March 2018). "Saudi Arabia lets women run in the country's first-ever female road race". New York Post.
  33. "Saudi race driver Reema Juffali makes F4 debut". english.alarabiya.net. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
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