Women’s football in Saudi Arabia is “breaking records,” the first-ever female Vice-President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) Lamia Bahaian said at the FIFA Women’s Football Convention in Sydney, Australia.
“When it comes to women’s football in Saudi Arabia, we are breaking records. Each step we take is a historic one, breaking down barriers and forging a new era for women’s football on our terms,” she said on Friday.
“While we may be at a different stage in our football journey, we are happy and proud of our everyday progress,” she added.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has achieved significant milestones in women’s football, including the establishment of the Women’s Premier League, Women’s First Division League and the development of various national teams, spanning different levels.
Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 are ranked 171st in the FIFA Women's World Rankings, but did you know the women's national team was only formed in 2021? The next challenge? Qualify for the @FIFAWWC 🏆
In 2022 alone, SAFF recorded an 86 percent increase in the number of registered female players, compared to 2021, with the numbers rising from 374 to 694.
The number of women’s clubs nationally also rose by 56 percent, from 16 percent to 25 percent, during the same period, as did the number of coaching courses conducted, up a whopping 557 percent – from 7 to 46.
More than 48,000 players competed in the 2022/23 Schools League across 3,660 teams – all of which highlights the emerging talent that can take the game to new heights in the coming years.
SAFF also has 90 female beginner referees, more than 1,000 qualified coaches and 50 international players from 20 countries, competing in the Women’s Premier League.
The Saudi women’s national team entered the FIFA rankings for the first time, five months ago, with Anoud al-Asmari becoming the first Saudi woman international referee recognized by FIFA.
SAFF has also introduced a new funding scheme for local women’s clubs, estimated at over $13 million, to help clubs attract talent, establish new teams and have the necessary means to participate in official competitions.
From grassroot beginnings to professional leagues
According to Bahaian, women’s football in the Kingdom has transformed over the last 15 years.
The journey, fueled by an unwavering passion and love for the game, started with a community league initiated by women who were passionate about the sport, she explained.
Vice-President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) Lamia Bahaian. (Supplied)
The SAFF Vice-President said the association’s recognition of women’s football as the key to formulating a successful, long-term strategy was also central to this transformation and it signifies a shift in mindset and priorities within the sporting landscape of Saudi Arabia.
Football is ingrained in Saudi Arabia’s culture, transcending gender barriers, she added.
Mass participation in sports by both men and women has increased from 13 percent in 2015 to close to 50 percent in 2022, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
More than 80 percent of the population in the Kingdom either plays, attends or follows football, SPA reported.
“This World Cup has been amazing, especially when you think about all the girls who are watching and dreaming about playing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup one day,” Bahaian said at the FIFA convention.
“Millions of girls in Saudi Arabia are watching and dreaming too. Through football, you empower and educate. Through football, you build leaders and role models, and it is the perfect platform to do so,” Bahaian added.
The evolution of the Women’s Premiere League from grassroots to its current well-organized state reflects the remarkable dedication of these women, according to the SAFF VP.
“If we want real change – cultural change – the football community must collaborate and connect wholeheartedly to drive transformation, understand each other, accept differences, and extend mutual understanding. It’s all about fostering meaningful conversations based on facts, leaving aside mere opinions.”
FIFA and SAFF unveil new documentary
At the Sydney session, Bahaian unveiled plans for a documentary, produced collaboratively by FIFA and SAFF.
The documentary tracks the journeys of Saudi Arabia’s own role models and key players – highlighting the themes cultural transformations, reshaping of perceptions and dismantling of stereotypes.
“The first pass. The first cross. The first save. The first everything.” 🇸🇦👊 ‘Destined to Play: the untold story of Saudi Women’s Football’. 🔜 on FIFA+ 📺@saff_wfd | @saudiFFpic.twitter.com/LNVkY9CKKe
“The documentary unveils our untold story and introduces pivotal Saudi female players, aiming to inspire girls – not just in Saudi Arabia, but around the world – to embrace their differences and unite through their shared love for football,” Bahaian commented.
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies
H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.
During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.
He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.
The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.
At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books
As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”
Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.
Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.
Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.
Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.
Automation
The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.
Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.
US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79
US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.
In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.
He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.
President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.