JEDDAH, 7 April 2008 — Arwa Mutabagani earned a board seat in the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation to become the first woman to hold the post, as the final names for the new presidents and board members of several Saudi sports federations were announced on Saturday night.
Mutabagani’s inclusion in the equestrian federation’s board was in recognition of her contribution to the sport.
Mutabagani who returned home yesterday from Rome, where she lives with her family and pursues the sport she loves, equestrian, along with her daughter Dalma, expressed her thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for his trust in her and his support. She also thanked Saudi Equestrian Federation Chairman Prince Nawaf ibn Faisal who helped fast-track the progress and development of equestrian especially the show jumping events.
Mutabagani, 41, promised to do her best in her new job with the rest of the board members.
Mutabagani is an accomplished equestrienne. She took up the sport at the age of six and had been in several equestrian competitions. Her passion in equestrian rubbed off on her 14-year old daughter Dalma Malhas, who did the country proud in countless competitions abroad.
Mutabagani is also a successful businesswoman who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from King Abdul Aziz University. She founded Trio Ranch in 1989, a 22-hectare sport complex in the east of Jeddah that includes a riding facility catering mostly to the youth.
Mutagabani was appointed in 2007 as member of the International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) Children Committee that supervises the riders in the 12 to 14 age group. She also has earned her credentials as a show jumping referee after completing a referees’ course in Italy.
