Saudi Arabia’s first women’s football league begins

Saudi Arabia’s first ever women’s football league began on Tuesday evening, with more than 600 players in 24 teams competing for the championship cup.

The Women’s Football League has been lauded as an important step for women’s participation in sport.

“This is a very happy day for all athletes, be they male or female,” said Abdullah Alyami, a Saudi football coach and sports journalist. “Based on what we’ve seen, and how beloved the sport of football is all over the Kingdom, I believe we will see many more of our sisters getting involved in professional sports.”

For many years, the authorities cited cultural norms and religious teachings in denying women’s sports. It was only in 2018 that women were first allowed to watch football matches in stadiums in the kingdom.

Full story at BBC News