Players chosen for the first Saudi women's national football team, managed by veteran German Monika Staab, show off their skills at Prince Faisal bin Fahad bin Abdulaziz stadium in Riyadh.
The launch of Saudi Arabia's first women's football league on November 22 will open the door for hundreds of girls hoping to begin a professional career – and perhaps, one day, to take part in the Women's World Cup.
The country, which lifted a ban on women's football only a few years ago, wants to strengthen its women's national team in the hopes of taking part in international tournaments.
Among those excited by the move was Farah Jafri, who said she hoped to turn pro and play in England's top division for Manchester City, as well as represent her country on the biggest stage at the World Cup. "In the beginning of my football journey, I faced some difficulties in that not all people accepted it. But my family and friends used to encourage me a lot." Like many other girls who were passionate about football but unable to participate in competitions, Jafri played on the street with her relatives or at school with friends.
Saudi Arabia has so far set up three training centres across the country for girls between the ages of 13 and 17, with plans to establish up to nine by 2025
During a training session in Riyadh, the women in the national team took to the field at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, some of them without veils but wearing tracksuits under their shorts. Officials have yet to announce any sports clothing restrictions for the Saudi women, who in the past faced close scrutiny from the religious police, who enforced a strict dress code.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
BRAZIL%20SQUAD
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Result
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,950m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m; Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Adam McLean, Doug Watson.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,950m; Winner: Conclusion, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh100,000 1,400m; Winner: Pilgrim’s Treasure, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
4.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m; Winner: Sanad Libya, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
5.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,000m; Winner: Midlander, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Atalanta v Juventus (6pm)
AC Milan v Napoli (9pm)
Torino v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
Sunday
Bologna v Parma (3.30pm)
Sassuolo v Lazio (6pm)
Roma v Brescia (6pm)
Verona v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sampdoria v Udinese (9pm)
Lecce v Cagliari (11.45pm)
Monday
SPAL v Genoa (11.45pm)
