JEDDAH: Mashael Akram Abdulrasheed will on Thursday make history when she becomes the first Saudi woman to referee at the Mt. Everest International Yoga Championship.
The second edition of the event has been organized by the Nepal Yoga Association and the International Yoga Sports Federation.
Abdulrasheed was among Saudi Arabia’s first batch of 19 female and two male yogasana referees who graduated in October at an event in Riyadh.
Nouf Al-Marwaai, president of the Saudi Yoga Committee, said she was proud that Abdulmajeed would be participating alongside the Saudi team, competing for the first time in an international championship.
She noted that considerable planning had gone into helping more Saudis qualify as referees to officiate at local, regional, and international championships.
“With the increasing number of yoga practitioners and professionals in all parts of the Kingdom, there has been an urgent need to equip national cadres of male and female referees to supervise the arbitration of local championships.
“To achieve this goal, the Saudi Yoga Committee hosted experts from the Asian Yoga Federation to qualify young cadres of both sexes through training courses. Intensive training for referees,” Al-Marwaai added.
Abdulrasheed will be the first Saudi referee to participate in an international championship since the establishment of the yoga committee, although Nouf bint Muhammad Al-Maroui had officiated at the level prior its setup.
Saudi woman to become 1st female referee at Mt. Everest International Yoga Championship
https://arab.news/jes66
Saudi woman to become 1st female referee at Mt. Everest International Yoga Championship
- Abdulrasheed was among Saudi Arabia’s first batch of 19 female and two male yogasana referees who graduated in October at an event in Riyadh
- Nouf Al-Marwaai, president of the Saudi Yoga Committee, said she was proud that Abdulmajeed would be participating alongside the Saudi team
AlUla Trail Race 2026 opens for runner registration
- Open to beginners and experienced athletes worldwide
- Distances from 1.6km to 100km for children and adults
ALULA: Registration has now opened for the AlUla Trail Race to be held on Jan. 22 and 23 next year.
The contest offers local and international participants a selection of distances and challenges set against the dramatic landscapes and ancient heritage sites of AlUla, located in Madinah.
According to a Saudi Press Agency report on Wednesday, the race is open to beginners and experienced runners.
The series includes a Kids Run (1.6 km) for children aged 5 to 12, Sunset Run (3 km) for those 13 and above, and a 10 km and 23 km for more experienced participants.
There are also demanding 50 km and 100 km ultra trail races for the most resilient and skilled runners. All routes will end in Old Town, ensuring an exciting finish for both runners and spectators.
On the first day, runners will arrive to collect their race packs before taking part in the Kids Run and the Sunset Run. Race kits can be collected at the event village, which will be located at the amphitheater in Old Town.
Day two will host the competitive distances, beginning at sunrise with the 100 km, followed by the 50 km, 23 km, and 10 km. Medal ceremonies will take place throughout the day as runners cross the finish line.
The organizers said every participant will receive an official AlUla Trail Race 2026 pack, including a tote bag, buff, race T-shirt, timing chip, and bib number. Entry fees begin at SR100 ($26) and SR50 for children.
The contest is a part of the AlUla Moments 2025/26 calendar, a year-round schedule of events and festivals designed to promote the area as a premier destination for tourism, sports, culture, and heritage.
Other world-class sports events include the professional cycling AlUla Tour, AlUla Desert Polo, and the Al-Fursan Endurance AlUla — one of the most prestigious endurance races on the equestrian calendar.
