Saudi princess becomes first woman to head sports federation

A princess has been named to head a Saudi multi-sports federation, in a first for women in Saudi Arabia where men dominate all sports, an official said Saturday.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP 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 Washington, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, Princess Rima is a graduate in museology from an American university.

Saudi Arabia does not allow women to practise sports in the public sphere and even the introduction of private sports centres for women has aroused criticism.

The kingdom recently announced it will lift a ban on women drivers from next June as part of a reform push.

Under the country's guardianship system, a male family member - normally the father, husband or brother - must grant permission for a woman's study, travel and other activities.

Source: Khaleej Times