Riyadh: A princess has been named to head a Saudi multi-sports federation, in a first for women in the country where men dominate all sports, an official said.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP on Saturday that Princess Rima Bint Bandar Bin Sultan has become “the first woman to lead a federation” covering sporting activities for men and women.
In August 2016, the princess scored another first for women in Saudi Arabia when she was named by the Cabinet to a senior post in the kingdom’s equivalent of a sports ministry.
A daughter of a former Saudi ambassador to the US, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, Princess Rima is a graduate of George Washington University, and is also known for her fashion business and philanthropy.
Saudi Arabia does not allow women to practise sports in the public sphere.
King Salman recently lifted a ban on women drivers from next June as part of a reform push. World leaders — from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to US President Donald Trump — have joined a chorus of international voices in welcoming the decision.
Other changes introduced this year include the announcement that physical education classes for girls would be introduced in schools, and a review of the guardianship system.
More Saudi women into top jobs
In February, three women were appointed to top jobs in Saudi Arabia’s financial sector in the space of just one week:
Sarah Al-Suhaimi was named chair of Saudi Arabia’s stock exchange, the Tadawul
Rania Nashar became the CEO of Samba Financial Group
Latifa Al-Sabhan was appointed chief financial officer of Arab National Bank (ANB).
