JEDDAH: Only three votes stood in the way of passing a proposal Tuesday at the Shoura Council to establish sports education colleges for women. The proposal won the support of 73 members, but was opposed by 57. The minimum vote count to pass the proposal was 76.
The rejection was a disappointment for those who were in favor of taking practical steps to promote sports among women in Saudi Arabia. But Shoura member Lina Almaeena, said: “It’s the majority of votes (that were in favor).”
Almaeena was not deterred.
“The fact that we’re discussing women sports colleges is a great evolution,” Almaeena, who is also a sports advocate and cofounder and CEO of Jeddah United Sports Co., told Arab News.
The proposal called for a joint venture between the Education Ministry and the General Authority of Sports. The goal is to educate Saudi women on fitness and sports-related sciences and to be able to hold positions at health and fitness clubs that are to be established in the following months.
Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, vice president of women’s affairs at the General Authority of Sports, said in March at a meeting with owners of woman health clubs at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce that more licenses would be granted for women’s gyms. The goal is to have a gym in every district and neighborhood in coordination with the labor, rural affairs and commerce ministries, local media reported.
Almaeena told Arab News the Kingdom needs female Saudi sports professionals to be able to participate in the burgeoning women’s sports industry.
The idea is to recruit more Saudi women in specialties that are usually filled by non-Saudi professionals, like women’s sports.
“It’s good to have Saudis that are aware of the religious and social identity (of the country) and are easier to communicate with,” she said. “I’m not against international expertise, but at the same time we need to have national workforce.”
Health and rehabilitation centers are struggling to find qualified Saudi sports professionals to train people and those with special needs. “There is a need (for Saudi woman sports specialists),” she added.
Gen. Ali Al-Tamini, a Shoura member supporting the proposal, said the government is supporting the idea of sports for women. Several fitness centers have already transformed part of their buildings into a women’s section that abides by the Shariah, he said.
The proposed introduction of sports sciences would include several areas — sports therapy, sports psychology, sports management, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and sports journalism.
Opponents of the proposal justified their votes by saying male sports colleges have not proven to be feasible and have not achieved their goals after years of their establishment. “So how will woman sports colleges achieve their goals?” Shoura member Adnan Al-Bar was quoted in local media as saying. “We have to agree that the proposal as an idea is correct.”
With Vision 2030 and the appointment of Princess Reema in August 2016, Almaeena said: “It’s really a matter of time” before women sports are better promoted in the Kingdom.
“I believe that the private Saudi universities will definitely take the lead. I’m sure that could be the start,” she added.
The sports sector could create 250,000 jobs for women, said Princess Reema during her speech at the MiSK Global Forum in Riyadh last November. Boosting women’s participation in the Saudi workforce from 22 percent to 30 percent by 2030 is a main goal in Saudi Vision 2030.
In an unprecedented move, six Saudi female athletes competed in the two previous Summer Olympic Games: Two in London 2012 and four in Rio 2016.
Proposal for women sports colleges to Shoura falls 3 votes short
Proposal for women sports colleges to Shoura falls 3 votes short
Al-Jouf olive festival boosts economy, tourism
- Event showcases Al-Jouf region’s olive production, which includes over 23 million trees yielding more than 150,000 tonnes of table olives annually
RIYADH: The 18th Al-Jouf International Olive Festival offers an engaging experience, highlighting the journey of olives from cultivation to the final product.
Held at the Prince Abdullah Cultural Center in Sakaka until Jan. 12, the event showcases the Al-Jouf region’s olive production, which includes over 23 million trees yielding more than 150,000 tonnes of table olives annually.
The festival features 43 local farmers and five agricultural companies offering high-quality olive oil, table olives, and related products, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In addition to competitive pricing, all products meet strict food safety standards, having undergone rigorous testing at Al-Jouf’s municipal laboratory.
Seven analyses — acidity, rancidity, moisture, chemical content, oil blending, taste, and authenticity — ensure the products’ quality. Those that pass receive a certification label for consumer confidence, the SPA added.
The festival has also become a key tourism and economic event for both the Kingdom and Al-Jouf region, attracting significant interest, visitors, and investment.
It also supports families in cottage industries, entrepreneurs, and small businesses by offering spaces to showcase their products, fostering growth and expanding their consumer reach.
Additionally, the festival celebrates Saudi heritage through folk art performances, the Saudi Ardah, traditional fashion, Sadu weaving, plastic arts, poetry, and cultural evenings.
Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains
JEDDAH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority’s Makkah branch has increased its readiness in response to warnings of heavy rain issued by the National Center for Meteorology.
On Monday, several regions of the Kingdom, including Makkah and Madinah, experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms, with the Civil Defense expecting the weather to continue until Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The authority stated that its command-and-control room, ambulance stations, rapid response teams, and volunteer ambulance units in Makkah are fully operational.
The Makkah region has on standby teams of doctors, specialists, and emergency medical technicians, the authority said.
A total of 1,420 staff members are ready to respond, supported by 149 vehicles. This includes advanced ambulances, disaster response vehicles, and an air ambulance for critical situations, the SPA added.
The authority urged citizens and residents to follow official instructions, exercise caution, and prioritize road safety during heavy rainfall.
The public was also asked to cooperate with ambulance teams by clearing the way for them on the roads, the SPA reported.
The authority operates 24/7, and individuals can request ambulance services by calling 997 or through the Asefne app in emergencies.
Saudi program empowers youth as global ambassadors
- New graduates set to advance Saudi Arabia’s global diplomacy, Vision 2030
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Youth Leaders Program welcomed its latest group of graduates on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The new graduates are the seventh group to complete the initiative, run by the Salam Project for Cultural Communication under the patronage of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji attended the event, expressing gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support of Saudi citizens.
He emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to equipping youth with the skills needed to effectively represent the nation internationally.
Elkhereiji noted that the program aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 by empowering young people to become influential global ambassadors.
Launched in 2018, the program has seen 432 young men and women graduate across seven cohorts, the SPA reported.
Notably, 240 graduates have participated in over 120 international conferences both within and outside the Kingdom, leveraging the program’s comprehensive curriculum, which covers key areas such as Saudi Vision 2030, intercultural communication, global issues, international representation, media engagement, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and international diplomacy.
Mohammed Al-Sayed, executive director of the project, said it aims to support efforts to build bridges of cultural communication with diverse peoples and cultures.
Japan hopes to attract more Saudi travelers through exhibitions in Kingdom
DUBAI: As Japan and Saudi Arabia approach their 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Japan National Tourism Office is planning more exhibitions to attract Saudi travelers, the organization’s Dubai executive director Daisuke Kobayashi said.
Kobayashi told Arab News Japan that JNTO hopes to maintain “strong partnerships” with local travel agencies and related organizations.
“Through these collaborations, we aim to deliver more comprehensive and engaging information to Saudi travelers, encouraging them to discover the unique experiences Japan has to offer,” he said.
There are as yet no plans to open a JNTO office in Saudi Arabia, Kobayashi said. However, he confirmed that the organization will continue its promotional activities in the Kingdom to meet the growing interest in Japan from Saudi travelers.
In December 2024, JNTO held its first event in Riyadh, titled “Feel Your Four Seasons.”
The exhibition provided visitors with an introduction to Japan’s diverse seasonal attractions, including luxury travel experiences.
Kobayashi told Arab News Japan that since the event, JNTO had observed a “significant increase in Saudi travelers’ interest in visiting Japan.”
“During the event, we noted a strong desire among attendees to travel to Japan, particularly in the spring to experience cherry blossoms,” he said. “We also noticed growing curiosity about Japan’s summer and winter offerings. Visitors showed interest in natural landscapes, summer festivals, and winter activities such as enjoying snow-covered scenery.”
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai in April is also a big tourist attraction for Saudi and GCC travelers.
According to Kobayashi, travelers from the region are usually most interested in traditional Japanese accommodations such as ryokan (Japanese-style inns), which often include onsen (hot spring) experiences and authentic Japanese cuisine.
Anime and manga’s popularity in the Middle East is also a key reason why Arab travelers choose Japan for a vacation.
From a cultural aspect, Kobayashi said that Japanese and Arab cultures share similar values, which can help to put Saudi travelers at ease.
“The cultural parallels create a sense of familiarity and comfort for travelers from Saudi Arabia and the broader GCC region when visiting Japan,” he said. “Whether it’s exploring Japan’s traditional tea ceremonies, staying in ryokan, or simply interacting with the warm and respectful Japanese hospitality, these experiences resonate deeply with visitors from Saudi Arabia.”
According to Kobayashi, in the first half of 2024, there was a 72.2 percent increase in visitors from Saudi Arabia to Japan, compared with the same period in 2023.
Saudi FM meets US envoy to discuss developments in Lebanon
- Explored collaborative efforts to address challenges facing Lebanese people and in broader region
RIYADH: Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Amos Hochstein, the US Special Envoy to Lebanon, on Sunday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Riyadh.
The meeting focused on regional issues, with particular attention given to the situation in Lebanon, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Both sides exchanged views on recent developments and explored collaborative efforts to address the challenges facing the Lebanese people and the broader region, SPA added.
Also in attendance was Prince Yazid bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Farhan, advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Lebanese Affairs, who contributed to the discussions.
