JEDDAH: Princess Adela, daughter of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, has called for the introduction of physical education and athletic programs for girls at the Kingdom’s public schools as quickly as possible.
“It’s high time to look into the matter of introducing sports at girls schools seriously, following the teachings of Islam,” Al-Riyadh Arabic daily quoted the princess as saying.
Princess Adela made this comment while opening a health program in the Faisaliyah district of Riyadh.
She said introduction of athletic programs was essential to control obesity and prevent related diseases among women.
A study conducted by researchers at the College of Medicine in King Faisal University in Dammam showed that obesity is a common problem among intermediate and secondary school girls.
The study focused on social and economic factors that cause obesity among students. The study surveyed 2,339 students 30 private and public schools.
There have been calls from different quarters to introduce sports in girl’s public schools. Religious scholars participating in the Abha Cultural Forum last year also stressed the need for opening sports clubs for women.
Meanwhile, a sports and recreation center for women will be built at Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh. Work on the project has already started and will be completed within in two years.
