In Saudi Arabia, sport is now a women’s sport. Long frustrated at not being able to practice a sporting activity, Saudi women, like Rasha al-Khamis, are devoting themselves more and more to this new leisure activity.
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Times are changing in Saudi Arabia. A few years ago, sports were banned for women. At the 2012 London Olympics, two representatives from the kingdom were allowed to compete, Sarah Attar in the 800 meters in athletics and Wojdan Shaherkani in judo.
Since the arrival of King Salman on the throne in 2015, and under the leadership of his son, Mohamed Ben Salman, known as “MBS”, sporting activities have opened up to women. Since 2019, they can now attend football matches in stadiums.
Rasha al-Khamisi, 32, boxing champion, is a pioneer in the field. She is today vice-president of the Saudi Boxing Federation and trains the new generation in this combat sport. She is also a sports consultant to promote sports disciplines in the kingdom for women.
