A man’s world? Not for these Saudi game-changers

1 / 6
Jeddah Eagles won the Jeddah Women’s Football League in December 2019. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 08 March 2020
Follow

A man’s world? Not for these Saudi game-changers

  • Women are taking to the football pitch to play their part in the Kingdom’s number one sport
  • Leading the way in the sport is Sham Al-Ghamdi, Saudi Arabia's first female football referee

JEDDAH: Soccer has always been one of Saudi Arabia’s favorite sports. Now, amid wide-ranging social reforms, women are taking to the football pitch to play their part in the Kingdom’s number one sport.

Leading the way for Saudi women in soccer is Sham Al-Ghamdi, the Kingdom’s first female football referee. 

In a previous interview with Arab News, Al-Ghamdi said she has her eyes set on taking charge of a World Cup match.

“I spend hours reading and listening to advice from refereeing experts. To referee a World Cup match would be a dream come true,” she said.

Al-Ghamdi’s interest in football and refereeing began at age nine when she saw players in a match voice their anger at a referee’s decision. “I wished at that moment that I was in the referee’s shoes,” she said.

“Since then I have been following football events on TV, listening to the pundits’ comments and analyzing the performance of the referee.”

Jeddah Eagles’ coach Bireen Sadagah is also thrilled with the inclusion of Saudi women in soccer.

“I’m over the moon that Saudi women are finally becoming part of the number one sport in the world,” she told Arab News.

“Women now have the chance to be brave and courageous about sharing their passion for football. I’m delighted that the competition level is growing significantly.

“The number of female players in the Kingdom is increasing rapidly, and it’s only going to get bigger,” she said.

Sadagah said that all footballers share a passion and drive to improve. While Saudi players are making great strides in the sport, they still need significant support to reach international standard.

“Whether proper facilities, recovery or diet, this will give them the added edge that’s needed. Saudi footballers are naturally talented, and the only thing missing is the external support to recognize that they can play at a competitive level.”

Jeddah Eagles won the Jeddah Women’s Football League in December 2019.

“The Eagles vision is to inspire and educate through football. Living through the values of confidence, competition and commitment, the Eagles focus on teaching the values of teamwork and self-discipline both on and off the pitch,” Sadagah said.

Sports journalist Riyan Al-Jidani is proud that Saudi women have become part of the number one sport in the Kingdom.

“It is a great step taken by the Saudi Sports for All Federation to enable women in this field,” he told Arab News.

Al-Jidani writes about Saudi women in football and has called for official support for women’s football clubs.

“Women’s soccer in the Kingdom needs a professional league and investment. There should be investment in women’s football clubs,” he said.

“We have a large number of women’s football clubs, mostly in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, but it is a struggle sustaining them financially.”

Lujain Kashgari, a founding partner of Al-Mamlaka women’s football club, is an AFC certified football coach who is aiming for FIFA certification.

“I am taking time off to develop myself in the sports field while pursuing a master’s degree in sports management at my own cost,” she said. “I started in Alexandria soccer club as assistant coach, then joined Stanford athletics department as an event manager.

“My plan is to improve in the sporting field and come back to Saudi Arabia to apply all that I have learned. Now we are looking for sponsorship for the Kingdom’s women’s football team,” she told Arab News.

Kashgari took part in a sports exchange program in the US in 2018, and joined the Saudi women’s green team that took second place in the Women’s World Cup for the Sustainable Goals in the US the following year.

“I love football and I want to empower Saudi women in sports generally. I want to help lay the foundations for expanding the game in Saudi Arabia, so participation in this program was a wonderful opportunity. 

“My dream is to represent my country in competitions such as the Olympics and the Women’s World Cup, to show the world that Saudi women have high athletic capabilities and skills,” she said.


Saudi health minister visits pilgrim who received emergency cardiac surgery in Arafat

Updated 10 sec ago
Follow

Saudi health minister visits pilgrim who received emergency cardiac surgery in Arafat

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel recently visited a Hajj pilgrim who had received emergency cardiac surgery at East Arafat Hospital.

The minister, who is also chairman of the Health Holding Co., made the visit during an inspection tour of healthcare facilities before the pilgrimage begins later this week, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The hospital is one of several medical facilities serving the holy sites during the Hajj.

 


Man jailed for illegal Hajj pilgrimage operation

Updated 40 min 44 sec ago
Follow

Man jailed for illegal Hajj pilgrimage operation

  • A preliminary ruling sentenced him to one year in prison and imposed a 10,000 riyal ($2,666) fine

RIYADH: A Saudi resident has been jailed for a year for setting up an illegal Hajj operation with the intention of obtaining funds through deception via social media.

The public prosecution referred the defendant to the criminal court after he was found in possession of receipts connecting him to the criminal operation.

A preliminary ruling sentenced him to one year in prison and imposed a 10,000 riyal ($2,666) fine, along with the confiscation of all devices and tools used in the crime.

The public prosecution said the creation of fake Hajj operations was a major crime punishable by detention and added that it would continue to pursue those who broke Hajj regulations.

Meanwhile, Hajj security forces arrested 36 residents who tried to enter Makkah without the correct permits. They were referred to the relevant authority.

 


KSrelief completes pediatric heart surgery, catheterization project in Aleppo

Updated 04 June 2025
Follow

KSrelief completes pediatric heart surgery, catheterization project in Aleppo

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief has completed a pediatric cardiac surgery and catheterization program in Syria’s Aleppo, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Volunteer medical workers carried out the project — a part of the Saudi Amal Program for Syrians — which ran from May 16 to 23, the SPA reported.

The teams performed 28 cardiac catheterizations and two open-heart operations.

In addition, 30 diagnostic radiology services were provided, 30 laboratory tests conducted, and medications dispensed to 30 patients.

The project is an extension of the specialized volunteer medical initiatives carried out by KSrelief to help people in Syria.


Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues food aid to world’s needy

Updated 04 June 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues food aid to world’s needy

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has provided 2,339 food parcels to vulnerable people in the Syrian Arab Republic and Sudan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Syrians in Aleppo received 1,339 parcels, while in Sudan’s Blue Nile State 1,000 were delivered for 4,686 people, the report added.

Saudi Arabia continues to provide much-needed aid to communities in crisis across the world, the SPA reported.

 


Saudi Arabia congratulates Bahrain on election to UN Security Council

Updated 04 June 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia congratulates Bahrain on election to UN Security Council

  • Bahrain will begin its 2-year term as a nonpermanent member of the council on Jan. 1, 2026
  • It was elected alongside Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia and Liberia

RIYADH: Saudi authorities congratulated Bahrain on Tuesday after the nation was elected to serve as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2026-2027.

The election of the country “confirms the international community’s confidence in Bahrain’s ability to contribute effectively to strengthening international peace and security,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.

The Kingdom wished Bahrain success in representing the interests of the Arab group of nations within the UN and in carrying out its duties as a member of the council.

Bahrain was elected alongside Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia and Liberia, all of which will serve two-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

The 15-member Security Council, which is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, consists of five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the UK and the US — plus 10 nonpermanent members elected by the General Assembly to serve staggered, two-year terms. Bahrain and the other newly elected nations will therefore join five existing nonpermanent members whose terms conclude at the end of 2026: Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia.