Saudi Arabia's efforts to boost female participation in sports have gained momentum since 2017, when physical education was introduced in girls' public schools for the first time. The following year, stadiums previously restricted to men were opened to women and families, marking a significant shift under Vision 2030.
Riyadh Marathon Sees Record Female Participation
According to the Saudi Sports for All Federation, female participation in the Riyadh Marathon rose from 18.7 percent in 2022 to 25.8 percent in 2026. Shaima Al-Husseini, the federation's managing director, told Arab News that this year's edition featured a 90-year-old runner in the 5 km race, highlighting the inclusive spirit of the event. She explained that the increase in women's participation reflects efforts to create a more inclusive sports environment through sustainable programs and flexible initiatives that consider cultural, social and physical considerations.
“Central to this effort is the creation of safe and welcoming spaces where women can engage in sports with ease, strengthening their sense of belonging and long-term connection to an active lifestyle,” said Al-Husseini. “What we see today is the result of this deliberate and sustained approach, where sport has become a conscious daily choice for women.”
Footballer Majd Al-Otaibi's Journey
Majd Al-Otaibi, a Saudi football player, began playing football at age six while living overseas but stopped after returning to Saudi Arabia. She shared her story with Arab News, expressing disbelief when she discovered football opportunities in the Kingdom. Her father signed her and her sister up, and she continued playing, hoping for a future in the sport. Al-Otaibi highlighted a marked shift from limited opportunities and less acceptance to a more supportive environment today.
“I feel like there’s a big difference from the opportunities before and to the opportunities now, because before, a lot of families were not very open to the idea of women playing football,” she said. “But with time, they accepted it, and this is what helped us open more opportunities. I think every year this gets better, and I feel like the Saudi Federation is doing an amazing job at opening up opportunities for Saudi women in sports in general.”
Al-Otaibi is optimistic for the next generation of athletes and hopes to develop her career internationally. “I’ve seen many young athletes who just started and they have an amazing talent, and I’m just excited for what Saudi women have to offer in sports in the future,” she said. “I would like to play outside of Saudi to come back better for the national team and to represent my country in the best way possible … I would like to become one of the best players.”
Growing Infrastructure for Women's Sports
More than 70,000 girls are competing in school leagues, according to the Vision 2030 website, while over 1,000 coaches support the development of women's sports. Sawsan Al-Hindi, a Saudi padel player, noted that it is becoming normal to see women competing and representing teams. “Before Vision 2030, these opportunities were limited and less accessible,” she told Arab News.
Al-Hindi began playing padel in 2022 while on a scholarship in Australia, initially to cope with academic pressure before transitioning to competitive play. She later ranked 13th in Saudi Arabia and first in the Eastern Province last year. “It wasn’t one specific moment, but more of a gradual shift. Once I started competing and seeing my level improve, I began to take it more seriously,” she said. Confidence was one of her main early challenges, along with finding a consistent group to play with. Access to tournaments and structured competition played a key role in her development, along with guidance from her coach, Lucas Ticera.
