Saudi female footballers show will to succeed

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USA’s players celebrate their victory in the final. (AFP)
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USA women's soccer player Megan Rapinoe holds the trophy in front of the City Hall in New York on July 10, 2019 after a ticker tape parade for the women's World Cup champions. (AFP)
Updated 19 July 2019
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Saudi female footballers show will to succeed

  • US team's victory in FIFA WWC final strikes a chord among women footballers in Kingdom
  • Female Arab footballers think they could play better than their male counterparts given the right opportunities

JEDDAH: Football fans around the world celebrated the recognition of women in sports after the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) final match, in which the US beat the Netherlands 2-0. One country where the US victory struck a powerful chord among female sports enthusiasts is Saudi Arabia.

Women are participating in sports in increasing numbers in the Kingdom as the reforms being introduced under the Vision 2030 plan enable women to take on different career paths.

Members of Jeddah Eagles, a women’s football squad with 39 players, watched the July 7 WWC final in anticipation of an exciting finish. In the end, they celebrated not only the US team’s victory but the recognition of women in sports as a whole.

Johara Al-Sudairi, who has been playing for Jeddah Eagles as a winger since August 2017, said she is thrilled that football is gaining popularity among women in the Kingdom.

“I’ve been a fan of women’s football ever since I was a kid. Watching Mia Hamm play, then watching Marta Vieira da Silva play for Brazil when I was a teenager got me hooked,” the 26-year-old Saudi told Arab News. “I have never missed a women’s World Cup since. I’m so happy that now the sport is getting more and more recognized. This is a huge step forward.”


FAST FACTS

18 - The Storm, a Saudi women’s football squad, has 18 players.

39 - Jeddah Eagles women’s football squad has 39 players.

Saudi women participate in sports in increasing numbers.

Reforms under Vision 2030 enable women to take different career paths, including professional sports.


Al-Sudairi said women have the drive to succeed in the sport more than their male counterparts.

“I believe that hard work pays off. And from what I’ve seen, I believe women want it more,” she said.

Hala Khashoggi, a Saudi who has also played on the wing for the team since February 2019, said the US team’s victory struck a blow for women’s empowerment worldwide.

“I feel incredible that female empowerment is increasing and it enlightens a lot of young girls and inspires them to play football,” she told Arab News.

Khashoggi believes both men and women can excel equally in the sport. “Comparing the men’s and women’s games is already old hat,” she said.

“Every individual player has their own uniqueness and quality. Every team has its own ability to score well and play incredibly. Thus, comparing is not the solution. Playing better is.”




Farah Jefry plays for the Jeddah Eagles as a midfielder. (Supplied photo)

In conclusion, Khashoggi said: “Every woman should follow her dreams, whatever it is and whatever it takes, because football is not just for men or for women. Football is for footballers.”

Fatimah Gari, who joined the team as a striker in 2014, was happy for her fellow female football players in the US for their victory.

“It is a very good feeling,” the 28-year-old Saudi told Arab News. “I wish one day we will have a Saudi team and will be in their place.”

Gari’s views are echoed by Farah Jefry, a Saudi who has been playing for Jeddah Eagles for over a year now. “As a female soccer player I am delighted to see this amount of attention given to women’s sports. I hope it continues to grow,” she said. 

The 16-year-old midfielder believes Arab women would perform better than their male counterparts with the right support.

“With the right amount of funding and support, Arab women for sure can be better at playing,” she told Arab News.

“Saudi Vision 2030 is giving us lots of opportunities. I would totally encourage women in the Kingdom to learn to play football.”

The US team’s victory in France was a memorable event for members of another Jeddah female football team, The Storm, which a squad of 18 players.

Dona Adel Rajab, the head coach of The Storm since February 2018, who was born and raised in the US, has played football most of her life. “Women’s sports has been around me and I never felt any difference until I moved to Jeddah in 2015,” the 28-year-old Saudi told Arab News.

Women’s sports have grown in recognition and awareness in Saudi Arabia since then, Rajab said.

 

“The popularity of football is increasing. However, the initiative in taking the next step is needed,” she said.

Rajab said what really matters in sports most is discipline and seriousness, not gender or ethnicity.

“Since we are talking about sports, ethnicity and gender are not good indicators to differentiate between male and female. As a football coach, I look at performance and discipline,” she said.

Rahaf Al-Hazmi, a 21-year-old Saudi who co-founded The Storm and plays in defence, is enthusiastic about the future of the sport for women in the Kingdom.

“The mentality of Saudi women has changed a lot. Women have started to participate in all kind of sports and requests to join our team are increasing,” she said.

“The love of football is increasing among women in the kingdom. Especially now that the government is focusing on sports for women.”

“Women who take part in sports in general, and play football in particular, felt blessed to have witnessed this achievement in women sports, “ Al-Hazmi told Arab News, referring to the WWC final results.

“Watching women not only play for fun but also as a career and a calling can give us a motivation to move forward. Women have an amazing capacity to reach their aim. If we really focused on developing our skills and we made this our first priority, we can be so much better.”




Jeddah’s The Storm playing a warm-up game. (Supplied photo)

Johara Hamad, 21-year-old Saudi winger for The Storm, said: “I was surprised at the amount of people who watched and showed an interest. It actually made me even more motivated to improve my skills so that one day I will be a part of such a great event.”

Hamad is against comparing genders in sports, but she too believes Saudi women can play better than their male counterparts with the right support and equal opportunities.

“I don’t like comparisons but in the context of Saudi Arabia, we can be better than the men’s teams if we get the same chances and support,” she told Arab News.

“I believe that we have it in us to scale far greater heights with the support of the General Sports Authority.”

Danyah Al-Othmany has witnessed a steady increase in the number of women interested in football in Saudi Arabia since she took up the sport.

The 24-year-old Saudi, who plays at right back for The Storm, calls the US team’s victory “a great accomplishment.”

“Women have the potential and can become great players if they set their mind to it,” Al-Othmany told Arab News.

“Honestly, it’s all about the commitment. Regardless of whether the player is male or female, what matters is if they are willing to spend time on themselves to improve and become better.”

Al-Othmany’s message to women in the Kingdom who want to take up football is simple: “Commitment is what really counts.”

Perhaps Al-Hazmi, who co-founded The Storm, spoke for many Saudi female footballers when she said: “Years ago no one in the world imagined having a World Cup tournament for women’s football, so nothing is impossible. We need every single talent we have in the Kingdom so that we can collaborate in order to reach the WWC and play alongside the best professional players of the world.”


Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of algebra’

Updated 8 sec ago
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Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of algebra’

  • Event celebrates Muhammad Al-Khwarizmi’s legacy in mathematics and informatics

RIYADH: The STEAM Festival in Riyadh celebrates the legacy of 9th-century Muslim scientist Muhammad Al-Khwarizmi, one of the most prominent figures in the history of mathematics and informatics.

The event was organized by the King Salman Science Oasis as part of its efforts to spread knowledge and promote interest in science and innovation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

It aims to inspire students by showcasing Al-Khwarizmi’s achievements in mathematics, algebra, and algorithms, which laid the foundation for modern scientific and technical development.

The event featured interactive presentations and workshops highlighting his contributions to science, the SPA reported.

This initiative aligns with the oasis’s vision to enhance scientific and cultural identity, motivate future generations, and contribute to achieving Vision 2030’s strategic goals.

Al-Khwarizmi, known as “the father of algebra,” was a Persian mathematician, astronomer, and scholar who laid the foundation for modern algebra and computational mathematics.

He worked at the House of Wisdom in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age, writing influential texts on arithmetic, algebra, and geography.

His book introduced systematic solutions to linear and quadratic equations, giving rise to algebra. The term “algorithm” is derived from the Latinized version of his name, reflecting his lasting impact on mathematics and computer science.

Earlier, the oasis highlighted the pioneering work of scientist Mariam Al-Astrolabi, renowned for her contributions to astronomy and her creation of astrolabes, instruments used to determine locations and times for prayers. Her work also advanced marine navigation.

Additionally, the oasis hosted an event honoring Jabir ibn Hayyan, known as “the father of chemistry” for his groundbreaking discoveries in chemistry, such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and gold water. His innovations, including distillation, played a key role in advancing both Islamic and Western chemistry.


Souk Wonders event brings art, culture in Diriyah

Updated 59 min 13 sec ago
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Souk Wonders event brings art, culture in Diriyah

  • Running until Feb. 28 at Mayadeen Venue, the souk is one of the season’s premier artistic and entertainment programs

RIYADH: The Souk Wonders event, part of Diriyah Season, launched on Thursday.

The vibrant indoor market offers an immersive experience blending imagination, performing arts, and live entertainment, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Running until Feb. 28 at Mayadeen Venue, the souk is one of the season’s premier artistic and entertainment programs.

The market features two daily shows with creative performances, including magic tricks, trampoline acts, high-wire stunts, and the traditional Saudi dance, Samri.

Visitors enter an enchanting atmosphere, welcomed by hosts in folklore attire matching the event’s theme, the SPA reported.

The venue includes a lively plaza with vivid colors and music, VIP lounges with premium hospitality, and a diverse culinary scene featuring local and international flavors.

Shopping experiences also spotlight the region’s diverse offerings.


Saudi Arabia condemns Orebro attack

Updated 06 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns Orebro attack

  • Eleven people have been killed in a shooting at an education centre in central Sweden

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned on Thursday a deadly shooting at a school in Orebro, Sweden, that left several people dead.

At least 11 people died and many people were wounded in an attack at the Risbergska adult education center in Orebro, central Sweden, on Tuesday.

A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement expressed the Kingdom’s rejection and denunciation of all forms of violence.

It also expressed Saudi Arabia’s solidarity and sincere condolences to the families of the victims.


Former Saudi ambassador to US condemns Trump’s ‘mad ethnic cleansing plan’ for Gaza

Former Saudi ambassador to the US Prince Turki Al-Faisal speaks to CNN international anchor Christiane Amanpour. (Screenshot)
Updated 06 February 2025
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Former Saudi ambassador to US condemns Trump’s ‘mad ethnic cleansing plan’ for Gaza

  • Prince Turki Al-Faisal says proposed resettlement of Palestinians would lead to more bloodshed
  • Warns US leader will receive ’an earful’ from Saudi leadership if he visits Kingdom

LONDON: Donald Trump’s plan for the US to take control of Gaza and force Palestinians to leave the enclave would be “ethnic cleansing” that would spark conflict and bloodshed, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s former ambassador in Washington, said on Wednesday.

In an interview with CNN, Prince Turki, who is also a former head of the Kingdom’s intelligence services, angrily rejected the US president’s comments, which included a threat to send US troops to help turn Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

Prince Turki said he expected Arab and Muslim countries, along with other nations and Europe, to take up the issue at the UN to show that the world opposed “this mad ethnic cleansing plan.”

“It is a fantasy to think that ethnic cleansing in the 21st century can be condoned by a world community that stays on its behind, and does not respond to that,” Prince Turki told presenter Christiane Amanpour. “The problem in Palestine is not the Palestinians. It is the Israeli occupation. And this has been clear and understood by everybody.”

Prince Turki said Trump’s comments upended previous US policy that favored a two-state solution based on land for peace.

He said Trump’s plan was based on the position of Israeli extremist politician Itamar Ben-Gvir, “the ultimate ethnic cleanser,” who recently resigned as national security minister over the Gaza ceasefire.

Trump’s words were a “total acceptance of the Israeli position by the American government,” Prince Turki said, adding that this approach had been gaining support in US political circles over the past two years.

Prince Turki said that if Trump visited Saudi Arabia, he is likely to receive “an earful” from the Saudi leadership about “not just the wisdom of what he is proposing, but the downright unfairness and injustice.”

Trump has had close relations with Saudi Arabia and made the Kingdom his first foreign visit during his first term. Prince Turki said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had pledged last month to invest $600 billion in the US.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry strongly condemned threats to displace Palestinians from their land and reiterated the Kingdom’s position that there would be no normalization of relations with Israel until the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

“This has been the position of Saudi Arabia from the beginning,” Prince Turki said.

He said that Trump’s Gaza plan on top of the “destruction and the devastation” of the territory during Israel’s campaign would only lead to more support for militant groups such as Hamas.

“Everybody has been telling the Israelis that if you repress these people, that if you punish them, if you inflict death and destruction and mayhem and genocide on them, all you are going to do is create more opposition,” Prince Turki said.

“That’s why they want to use ethnic cleansing to get the people out of the territory.

“So, their policy is clear cut and, unfortunately, we hear this reflected now in what Mr. Trump has said.”


Quality of life, economy, culture in Madinah improving under Vision 2030, authority says

Updated 05 February 2025
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Quality of life, economy, culture in Madinah improving under Vision 2030, authority says

  • Local GDP, tourism and investment on the rise in region
  • New opportunities for entrepreneurs expected

RIYADH: Quality of life, the economy and culture in Madinah are improving under Vision 2030, according to the Madinah Region Development Authority.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, officials from the authority said they are aiming to highlight regional achievements and the transformation taking place there.

Ihab Salem, chief strategy officer at Madinah Region Development Authority, said: “With the support of the emir of the region, we will achieve (Vision 2030 goals) through all relevant sectors of work in the region.

“This also helps in achieving developmental mobility, economic growth, and increasing investment opportunities and local content in the Madinah region, thus opening many opportunities for male and female entrepreneurs in various sectors.”

Economically, local gross domestic product reached SR118 billion ($31 billion) in 2023, with SR53 billion in foreign investment, while the second quarter of 2024 saw a decrease in unemployment.

Tourism is the rise, with 18 million visitors to the region in 2024. Visitors stayed an average of 10 days in 2023. The region was ranked 88 globally on Euromonitor International’s 2024 index of the world’s top 100 city destinations, ranked seven globally on the Tourism Performance Index, and 3,200 locations are registered in the National Urban Heritage Register.

It was recently announced that foreigners can now invest in Saudi-listed companies owning real estate in Makkah and Madinah, following a landmark decision by the Saudi Capital Market Authority.

Al-Madinah Smart City has also gained a number of achievements, including an advancement in 11 ranks in the International Institute for Management Development Smart City Index, ranking 74th globally after ranking 85th in 2023, alongside a number of other milestones.

Other notable initiatives implemented in collaboration with the Vision Realization Program include the King Salman Project to expand Quba Mosque, which aims to expand the area tenfold and develop 57 historical sites to reach a capacity of 66,000 worshipers; and the Dar Al-Hijra project in Madinah, which aims to retrace the steps of the Prophet Muhammad’s journey.

Madinah is considered one of the most accessible regions in the Kingdom through land, sea and air. Its three airports transported 10 million passengers in 2024, across more than 72,000 flights operated by 77 airlines to 36 local and international destinations.

Public buses in Madinah now have 123 stations, and the Haramain High Speed Railway Depot has transported 9 million passengers, according to the authority.

Salem added that a number of projects can be attributed to private investors and entities like Maqsad Quba, Jabal Ayr and As Safiyyah Museum & Park.

The authority is highlighting Madinah’s economic diversification through the agriculture and mining industries, its global connectivity through tourism and cultural heritage offerings, and the vision achieved by its residents in the health, education private and nonprofit sectors.

Officials said that 58 initiatives have been launched under the Pilgrim Experience Program, 104 under the Quality of Life Program and 30 under the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program.