JEDDAH, 7 December 2007 — For the first time women athletes were allowed to participate at the recent 11th Pan-Arab Games in Egypt, another breakthrough in the campaign for women to have wider representation not only in sports but in other areas of society as well in these parts.
The source of inspiration and role model for these women was, of course, Moroccan Nawal Al-Moutawakel, who became the first Arab woman to win a gold medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics when she bested the field in the women’s 400 meters.
In Saudi Arabia, there is a whole lot of sports activity involving women though it’s not officially recognized and not a single body formed to look after Saudi women in sports.
But there is hope, what with Prince Alwaleed bin Talal at the helm of promoting the women causes. In fact, his Kingdom Holding company sponsored a women’s equestrian team that did well in international competitions.
In addition to equestrian, basketball, table tennis, tennis and bowling are the games that Saudi women play in colleges and universities and private venues. They do sports behind the scenes under the watchful eyes of qualified professional instructors.
The women at the Pan Arab Games expressed the hope that their Saudi counterparts would one day join them in a competition.
Among these sportswomen was Bahraini bowler Yassmen Al-Awadi, who have been bowling for 13 years. “Of course we are all here to win, but so as the other competitors.
Its really hard not knowing how it would go,” said the winner of the ladies singles and doubles events.
Training is always tough and they have been training for five months for this competition.
“But when you play it’s all gone so we really have to focus very well,” she said.
The school where Al-Awadi graduated with a degree in Business Administration is flexible “when it comes to sports things and this made it easier.” Her interest in bowling came naturally having been raised in a family where the parents used to bowl and an older sister is an Arab champion too. Her younger sister also bowl but was unable to make the Egypt trip due to her studies.
Sportswomen are progressing, she assured. “I’ve seen some in previous competitions who did not really know how to bowl right and now they became tough competitors.”
“The competition in the Gulf is good but different, we wish of course to improve more and to reach international level,” she said.
“We are planning to go to Orlando soon for a training camp, these would hopefully help us improve,” she added.
“We better watch out for them. It would be nice to compete with them and train every once in a while specially since we are only across the border,” said Al-Awadi of the Saudi women bowlers.
She longs to have more Arab women compete in bowling and in sports in general.
“When we get the gold its to show people we could do it even in sports.
At the 15th Asian Games it was overwhelming to meet many Arab women and speak about our experiences and encourage each other whether we play bowling, tennis, or badminton.” Sudanese Muna Jabir Adam, women’s 400- m hurdles gold medalist, was also pleased with encouraging number of Arab women in the Egypt event. She said, “the competition was very difficult because the performance has progressed massively but it is good for us for sure.” “Since 2005 Sudan has been making their presence felt in athletics and I’m glad I managed to win the gold in this event. It is all because of the support of my coach and family,” said the 21-year-old who reached the semifinals in the 11th IAAF Championship in Athletics in Osaka in August placing 6th.
Since Osaka she kept training in Sudan and abroad continuously aiming at the gold in the Arab Games and in 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“I want the gold but a top 8 finish would be also great for me in the Olympics.”
Living in Sudan, a country with a conservative culture similar to the Kingdom, it was not easy for her to do sports. Despite the lack of reasonable and needed financial support she managed to emerge champion in the African Championship this year, and placed 4th in 11th IAAF World Junior Championships.
Adam said Saudi women have the potentials to excel in sports. “Any difficulties will be swept away given the right support and appreciation. Anything could be achieved with support,” she said.
