RIYADH: Women are breaking new ground in various industries as the kingdom sets diversity and inclusion targets, and football is no different.
There are currently 1,100 female footballers registered with Saudi clubs through the league, three regional training centers and four active national teams.
Today, the women’s football department focuses on various areas of grassroots development, such as five upcoming local competitions including the Premier League.
Aliya Al-Rashid, head of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s women’s football department, told Arab News: “Today, when it comes to the country in general we are seeing a complete transformation with Vision 2030. The Sports Ministry has reported a 150 percent increase in women’s participation (since 2015). The game is growing every day.”
The Al-Awwal Park stadium lit up with fireworks on Sunday night as Al-Nassr were crowned champions against Al-Ittihad, ending their season with a 1-0 victory.
As the 2023-2024 Premier League comes to a close, a sense of celebration is still in the air. Hiwar, PepsiCo’s signature annual event for women empowerment, saw leading women players from the football field come together on Monday to champion the incredible women of the state who are breaking boundaries in the field of football.
At the 2024 Hiwar, organized in collaboration with SAFF’s Women’s League, industry drivers spoke about their experiences in pushing the boundaries of women’s inclusion in the sport, during a panel discussion moderated by Mo Islam that evening, which included Al- Al-Rashid was also involved with Nasser. Goalkeeper Sarah Khalid, Al-Ittihad women’s team head coach Kelly Lindsay and PepsiCo senior marketing manager, Anfal Al-Duhilan.
Khaled, one of the Kingdom’s star women’s footballers, reflected on her current, vivid reality of notching up her team’s first international win last year, winning the Premier League twice in a row and taking the industry to the international arena.
But when Khalid quits his day job to pursue a football career, he realizes he has an example to set and a responsibility on his back.
She told Arab News: “Today, I can say that I am one of the first players to represent the national team and my country at the international level, and now that we are winning the league and participating in the AFC Champions League So this is definitely one.” Heavy weight on my shoulders.
“Whatever decision I take, I must take it thoughtfully and keeping everything else in mind, and always inspire and motivate the people around me.”
As a coach, Lindsay said the biggest struggle is finding balance within a team. Recognizing the importance of nutrition, sports psychology and family values within the Saudi League, his coaching approach combines physical preparation with cultural understanding.
While some members of the Al-Ittihad team struggled to even pass the ball five times last summer, they have now managed to compete in the first tier of the Saudi football pyramid.
He praised Saudi Arabia’s massive investment in women’s sport, with the SAFF allocating SR49.9 million ($13 million) to women’s football cross-country programs last year alone.
Lindsay told Arab News: “By investing in sports, women not only come forward in society, but they are front and center for everyone to watch, decide and support.
“The conversation will change about all the things that need to happen around them so that more women can pursue their passions, live out their passions in work and music and art and culture and sports. This will create a natural dialogue and push for more infrastructure for women’s success.”
Last October, that support grew even further in the form of PepsiCo. And the SAFF announced that Lay’s Potato Chips, a subsidiary of the multinational company, will sponsor the 2023–24 Saudi Women’s Premier League.
“Our sponsorship is in line with the company’s vision to promote diversity and inclusion, fundamentally aligning with the Saudi 2030 Vision. We wanted to drive change and truly give every Saudi woman the opportunity to pursue their dreams in any field and continue to empower and support them,” Al-Duhilan said.