JEDDAH – Saudi women are looking forward to having a strong presence in the Kingdom's sports clubs soon. They pin great hopes on a study, which is being carried out in this regard in line with the directives of Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal, head of the Youth Welfare Presidency. The outcome of the study would be unveiled in the near future, according to reliable sources. Confirming this, Ahmad Rawzi, director of the Presidency's office in Jeddah region, said that this is one of the most important issues that are under the consideration of the presidency at present. “We are seriously considering the matter of giving membership to women in sports clubs, irrespective of whether the membership is either an ordinary or honorary one. Anyhow, the outcome of the study will be out in the near future,” Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat reported Saturday while quoting him. Rawzi noted that as of now there is no specific laws that allow or prevent women to have membership in the clubs. “However, he said, Saudi women can support sports clubs morally and materially through extending specific services or facilities even without any formal order in this regard.” Meanwhile, speaking to Saudi Gazette, a number of Saudi men and women expressed happiness over the prospect of women playing an active role in the Kingdom's sports sector through getting a berth in sports clubs. Dania Almaeena, co-founder and captain of Riyadh United, a basketball team in the capital, said it is a step in the right direction. “However, what is more important is to have female sports facilities that improve their well-being,” she added. Neda Alolayan, project manager of Financial Support Projects at Al-Nahda Philanthropic Society in Riyadh, said it is right step even if this is a first step to have female-only clubs competing against each other. Yasin Alireza, a Jeddah-based businessman, said women should be allowed to join any organization or club with equal rights and privileges that their male counterparts have. Sahar Naseif, a retired lecturer from King Abdul Aziz University and an honorary member of Al-Ittihad Club said that its a great step to give women full membership in the Youth Welfare. “We want to be a part of sports and also be active members not only honorary members,” she said. Naseif also said that its time to include sports for women especially with the high obesity rate here. Another captain of a women's basketball team believes that starting membership for women is a preliminary step in women sports. “Everything starts with stages and I think this is the first step into the implementation of a full membership. I think women will add a lot to the General Presidency of Youth Welfare and sports,” she said. She also said that including women in sports has to happen with studied measures since Saudi Arabia and the system is still at the beginning. “I hope we do it right. We have a chance and we also have the upper hand to build a well-grounded system for women in sports,” she said. Saudi Arabia participated in the Olympics for the first time in 2012 with Wojdan Shaherkani competing in judo and Sarah Attar in the 800 meters in the London Games last year. Still, Saudi woman have yet to become a member of any sports club in the Kingdom. But off late, there have been hectic movement to give women a berth in sports clubs as well as to have active participation in sports activities. The authorities are now serious in allowing women to have a strong presence in sports clubs through their involvement in games or taking a membership or at least supporting these clubs. Many women are pinning their hopes on the sports authorities' serious initiative to ensure women's participation. Two months ago, Prince Nawaf disclosed that the concerned authorities were carrying out studies on the issue of allowing women to take part in sports. “God willing, clear steps and a working mechanism in this regard will be announced in the near future,” the prince announced.
