Meet an Omani entrepreneur who is a politician and heads a sports club


Lujaina Mohsin Haider Darwish Al Za'abi has always been a fearless competitor. Whether it has been running business or contesting the Majlis As'Shura elections. Now in the poll fray for the second time, she became the youngest woman to be elected in the last elections. And of the three throughout the country.

But she is not resting on her laurels. "This time the elections are different. They are open," she says. She is confident that all her good work in the last term would give her an edge over the nine contestants in the Muscat area, where she is the only woman candidate for the October 2 elections.

"People in Oman now don't discriminate when it comes to electing their representative, they see work and ability of a candidate to voice their needs."

Lujaina believes His Majesty Sultan Qaboos' support for women in the country has inspired men in the country to give women equal respect. "Being a woman is not a problem in Oman as His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has accorded equal rights to us," she says.

"Women are not longer the traditional housewives in Oman. They take part in the official as well as business affairs," she says.

Eldest of three sisters, Lujaina has always ventured into so-called male bastions.

In the Majlis, Lujaina looks beyound issues concerning women. She stressed that they were equally active in discussing the other larger issues.

The political side of her life does have its tense moments, but she manages to overcome them. She attributes this inherent strength to her upbringing. "Our father never treated us as special and at the same time he never let us feel that we were daughters."

One of the things that also helps relieve the stress of politics is Lujaina's role as top sports administrator.

She is the first woman in the Gulf and only the second in the Arab world to head a football club. "On the political field one has to be restrained and diplomatic, while sports gives a total freedom."

Lujaina says by taking over as the presidency of the Sidab Club, she opened a new door for women of this country. "I took it up as a challenge and, I must confess, initially I was nervous but the respect they (players and other officials) gave me, made me comfortable."

She has also refused to be a figurehead. "I am involved in everything, from the drawing board to the implementation stage. We have a four-year plan to take Sidab to the number one spot," Lujaina says.

"We also want to attract more women to sports, either as administrators or athletes."

With the many firsts to her credit, the joint deputy managing director of Mohsin Haider Darwish— one of Oman's most successful business groups - epitomises the equality and freedom that women in Oman enjoy.

But the 33-year-old remains modest to the core. She says the numerous business awards for the company are result of the staff's hard work.

With so many responsibilities does she find time for workouts? "One needs good time management. I do that and also find time to read." Without reading she cannot get sleep, she adds.