Equestrian Dalma Malhas was recently appointed chairperson of the newly founded athletes’ advisory committee at the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee.
She was the first female athlete to represent Saudi Arabia at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010 in Singapore. Malhas won a bronze medal, becoming the third Saudi athlete to snag an Olympic medal.
She is also the first female athlete to have represented Saudi Arabia at the World Equestrian Games at Tyron, in North Carolina in the US in 2018.
Malhas’ appointment to the SAOC committee follows Saudi Arabia’s formal bid to host the 21st Asian Games in 2030 in Riyadh.
The Saudi horsewoman, who speaks Arabic, English, French, Italian, and Spanish, was born in Ohio in 1992. Her mother, Arwa Mutabagani, is also a prominent equestrian and has been a board member at the Saudi Equestrian Federation since 2008.
At 12, Malhas moved with her mother from Saudi Arabia to Rome. In Italy, she received training from Italy’s former showjumping national coach, Duccio Bartalucci. She spent a decade under his tutelage.
After spending a few years in Rome and obtaining her International Baccalaureate, she moved to undertake a two-year professional training program at the Fursan Equestrian Center in Chantilly, France. She has been training with Olympic champion Roger Yves Bost since 2016.
Malhas has participated in many international horseback riding events. However, when the experienced horsewoman took part in the 2019 Diriyah Equestrian Festival for the first time, she said it was a rendezvous she had been dreaming of for a very long time.
She told Arab News that she was honored to be part of the Saudi national team after “years of work and dedication.”
Malhas has won several awards to date, including Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Creative Sports Award.
She has also attended several regional and international conferences on sports as a speaker.
Dalma Malhas, chairperson of the athletes’ advisory committee
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Dalma Malhas, chairperson of the athletes’ advisory committee
Saudi program to train future ambassadors of moderation globally
- 60 students from 40 countries selected; initiative backed by $1m in contributions from Saudi endowments, foundations
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh and Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan recently inaugurated the Fellowship of Moderation and Fairness program for scholarship students in Saudi Arabia.
Launched at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs headquarters in Riyadh, the program is supervised by both ministries, Saudi universities and donor institutions in the nonprofit sector.
Al-Asheikh said that the program reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to serving Islam and Muslims, and aligns with its vision to promote moderation based on solid principles and authentic traditions.
The program combines rigorous scientific methodology with practical applications to train select international students at Saudi universities as ambassadors of moderation within their communities, he added.
The fellowship represents an integrated training system that fosters cognitive and leadership excellence, preparing graduates to address contemporary challenges and contribute to a cooperative and prosperous future.
President of King Abdulaziz University Tareef Al-Alaama said that the fellowship was launched in the summer with support from the Endowment of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz for His Parents and under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
The program attracted significant interest, with about 300 male and female students from various nationalities applying. After a thorough nomination and selection process, 60 people from 40 countries were selected.
Ten seats are reserved in honor of the minister of Islamic affairs for exceptional students from Muslim minority communities worldwide, recognizing their efforts in promoting moderation and combating hatred and extremism.
In conjunction with the program’s launch, the General Authority of Awqaf, the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Foundation for Developmental Housing and the Al-Rajhi Endowment pledged almost SR4 million ($1 million) to support the initiative.
The contributions highlight the program’s role in promoting the values of moderation, in line with the ministry’s mission and the directives of Saudi leadership.
Syrian FM Al-Shibani receives invitation to visit Saudi Arabia
- Al-Shibani has expressed optimism about the future of Syrian-Saudi relations
DUBAI: Foreign Minister of the transitional government in Syria, Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani, said on X on Monday that he had accepted an invitation from his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan to visit the Kingdom, in what would be his first foreign trip since the ouster of former president Bashar Assad on Dec. 8.
“We look forward to building strategic relations with Saudi Arabia in all fields,” read a statement posted on the Syrian Arab News Agency's X account.
Al-Shibani has expressed optimism about the future of Syrian-Saudi relations, and has emphasized the importance of building strategic ties in all fields, SANA reported.
He added, “I am honored to represent my country and look forward to this opportunity to enhance cooperation and dialogue.”
It follows comments made by Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who said Saudi Arabia had a major role to play in his country’s future during an interview with Al Arabiya, which aired on Sunday.
“Saudi Arabia has a major role in Syria’s future, and I take pride in everything it has done for us,” he said, adding that he spent his early childhood in Riyadh and hoped to visit the city again.
Al-Sharaa also praised recent Saudi statements as “very positive” and commended Riyadh’s efforts toward stabilizing Syria.
Earlier this month, a high-ranking Saudi delegation headed by an advisor to the Royal Court visited Syria and met with Al-Sharaa in Damascus.
Riding, target sports attract visitors in Asir
- Certified trainers are on hand to provide guidance on horseback riding and archery
RIYADH: Horseback riding and target sports are popular attractions at the Muhayil festival in the Asir region, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Held in Muhayil governorate, 80 km northwest of Abha, the festival offers entertainment, sports and shopping.
Horse riding instructor Salma Mohammed said the activities, part of the Muhayil Asir winter program, have drawn significant interest, especially from children.
Mohammed and other trainers teach how to handle horses, offer guided rides, and provide instruction in archery and air-rifle use.
Mohammed, a lifelong horse enthusiast, became a qualified instructor after completing specialized training.
Bandar Al-Hilali, owner of the festival’s horse stable, said the goal is to highlight the significance of horses and teach basic riding and target shooting with the aid of certified trainers.
Horseback riding instruction covers balance, rein handling, calming techniques, and track riding. Archery training includes proper shooting methods and friendly competitions. Participants also learn the basics of air-rifle marksmanship.
Muhayil governorate, in the Tihama Asir region, is experiencing notable economic and tourism growth due to its mild winter climate, attracting visitors from the highlands.
Riyadh Season’s winter fun draws crowds
RIYADH: The Courchevel area in Riyadh Season’s Boulevard World zone has become a highly popular destination since its opening.
This winter wonderland offers a mix of adventure and fun, appealing to those seeking unique experiences, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The journey starts in the ski area, with a large open field for practicing under the guidance of expert trainers.
The snowy atmosphere provides a thrilling backdrop for various challenges and activities, the SPA reported.
There is a section to capture photos and videos to preserve memories of the winter adventure.
The subzone also offers winter supplies for a cozy experience. And visitors can purchase winter-themed souvenirs.
Riyadh Season runs until March 2025 and has already attracted over 13 million people, according to Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority.
Saudi hospital performs first robotic pancreas transplant
RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center performed the region’s first robotic pancreas transplantation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The milestone surgery on a young male patient suffering from type 1 diabetes freed him from years of insulin dependency and demonstrated the potential of advanced medical innovation to improve quality of life.
The patient had endured type 1 diabetes and severe complications, including kidney failure, for many years, which necessitated a kidney transplant, according to a press release.
Although the kidney transplant was successful, the patient continued to face challenges from diabetes and its associated complications, and his symptoms were unresponsive to conventional treatment, the center said.
Pancreas transplantation emerged as the most effective option to address these challenges and enhance the patient’s quality of life, according to the release.
The procedure, conducted using robotic technology, allowed surgeons to transplant the pancreas with high precision, reducing surgical risks and recovery time.
Earlier this year, the center also performed the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant, building on its 2023 achievement of completing the world’s first fully robotic liver transplant.
