The Presidency of Youth Welfare has issued a license to the the first sports center for under 13 girls. The club provides gymnastics, karate and fitness exercises and more, all practiced in accordance with specific standards. Other children clubs have started implementing girls' sports programs under the supervision of women experts. Mowaffaq Abdullah Al-Dabbag, children's sports club owner, said he obtained the approval of Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, President of Youth Welfare, to establish a sports center for under 13 girls. The club has virtually started operating, he said, adding centers for girls aged between 13 and 20 will be opened after getting formal permits from the authorities. He said he had applied for license for such clubs for girls above 20 as a part of his plan generated three years ago. Dunya Bahamdain, Director of Sports Kids Club, called for expediting granting permits for girls' sports centers. “With today's world of video games and negative entertainment that affect children's minds and bodies and with the perceivable, worrying increase of obesity rates, sports clubs mean building a healthy generation,” she said. A sport environment for girls, without conflicting with Shariah, would enhance their energy and build their character, she added. The rate of obesity and weight increase is close to 70 percent in Saudi Arabia according to recent studies. Obesity among children is 30 percent.
