Over the past six years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a remarkable surge in female participation in sports, with an astounding growth rate of nearly 150 percent since 2015. This incredible transformation in the sports landscape of the kingdom can be attributed to several key factors, including the comprehensive reforms outlined in the Saudi Vision 2030 plan and the inspiring influence of Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan.Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, the Saudi Minister of Sports, acknowledged the pivotal role played by Princess Reema in this sporting revolution. Princess Reema’s remarkable achievements and her commitment to promoting mass participation in sports have made her an iconic figure, serving as a source of inspiration to countless individuals in the kingdom.Princess Reema’s active involvement in sports, including her contributions as a member of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) women and sports committee, has not only paved the way for her peers but also encouraged many Saudi women to participate in international sports organizations.Numerous Saudi women have taken prominent roles in international sports organizations, affirming their commitment to the world of sports. Among them, Princess Haifa bint Mohammed assumed the role of chair of the women’s committee of the Arab Union, and Princess Reham bint Saif Al-Islam was appointed as a member of the Arab Swimming Federation’s women’s committee.Saudi Arabia’s first female boxing coach, Rasha Al-Khamis, became a member of the women’s committee for the Asian Boxing Organization. Abrar Bukhari joined the women’s committee of the Asian Taekwondo Federation, and Sarah Al-Fayez was elected as a member of the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) media committee.Other notable appointments include Asma Al-Yamani, who became a member of the World Tennis Tour Committee, Aseel Al-Hamad, nominated as a member of the Women in Motorsports Committee at the International Motorsports Federation, and Haya Al-Dossary, who took on the role of a marketing committee member for West Asia at the International Table Tennis Federation.Adwaa Al-Arifi also became a member of the AFC and Arab Football Confederation, and Dr. Razan Baker was appointed as the chairperson of the International Bowling Federation’s women in sports committee.Saudi sportswomen have showcased their talent on both regional and international platforms, earning approximately 100 medals in various events. Fencing emerged as a standout sport for Saudi female athletes, with the Saudi Fencing Federation investing in training programs for women across different age groups. The federation’s efforts resulted in approximately 29 medals, including four bronzes in the epee event at the 2016 Arab Games held in Riyadh.
In 2018, Saudi fencers clinched one silver and three bronze medals at the Juniors Arab Fencing Championship in Jordan. The same year saw them secure a bronze at the Arab Fencing Championship in Tunisia. Notably, Saudi fencers achieved a remarkable feat in Kuwait’s 2019 junior fencing championship, winning one gold, one silver, and five bronzes. They also claimed a gold and two bronzes in the Asian Qualifying Round of the Fencing Championship held in Riyadh in the same year.In 2020, Saudi female fencers made their mark by winning two silver medals at the Arab Women Sports Tournament in Sharjah. They further secured one silver and two bronze medals in Manama’s Junior and Youth Fencing Championship.
Their success continued at the Virtual Confederation Championship, where the women’s fencing team earned a gold, silver, and bronze medal.Judo emerged as another prominent sport, with judokas securing 15 medals in 2019, including two golds, two silvers, and eight bronzes in various championships. Taekwondo athletes added to the medal tally with one gold, two silvers, and four bronzes from the 2019 and 2020 GCC and Arab Taekwondo championships.Female equestrians and weightlifters also made their mark, each securing four medals. Equestrienne Dalma Malhas notably earned Saudi Arabia its first bronze medal at the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore. Weightlifters clinched two golds, one silver, and one bronze in Gulf tournaments and the West Asian Championship.Saudi women also achieved success in other sports, including rowing, boxing, kickboxing, and archery, securing medals and recognition for their remarkable accomplishments.Moreover, Saudi Arabia inaugurated women’s football leagues, with ten teams participating in three cities in November.
The football federation, in collaboration with the Leaders Development Institute, provided coaching courses to empower Saudi women aspiring to become professional football coaches, eliminating the need for overseas training.The Saudi Archery Federation played a pivotal role in promoting women’s participation in sports by organizing a tournament featuring over 25 women archers, further enhancing the presence of women in sports.These achievements underscore the incredible progress made in female participation in sports in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the vision of Saudi Vision 2030 and the inspirational leadership of figures like Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan.
