RIYADH: Five Saudi women have been recognized among the world’s most influential figures in women’s sport, highlighting the Kingdom’s growing role in shaping the sector both regionally and internationally.
Adwa Al-Arifi, Rasha Al-Khamis, Princess Nouf Al-Saud, Alanoud Althonayan and Lamia Bahaian have been named in the 2026 RAISE Power 100, an annual global list honoring leaders whose work is driving the growth of women’s sport through governance, investment, marketing and innovation.
Published each year by RAISE, the Power 100 recognizes executives, athletes, investors, entrepreneurs and industry leaders making a significant impact across the global sports ecosystem. The list is compiled through industry nominations, independent research and advisory input, and is intended as a snapshot of those accelerating progress rather than a ranking.
The recognition comes as Saudi Arabia continues to expand opportunities for women in sport under Vision 2030, with growing participation rates, professional leagues and an increasing presence on the international sporting stage.
Among those honored is Adwa Al-Arifi, assistant minister for sport affairs at the Ministry of Sport, who has been at the forefront of the Kingdom’s sports transformation. She co-founded Saudi Arabia’s first women’s football club, helped to establish the country’s first women’s national football team, and became the first woman appointed to the board of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. She also played a key role in bringing the WTA Finals to Riyadh as Saudi Arabia expanded its portfolio of major international sporting events.
Rasha Al-Khamis, chairwoman of the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation, was recognized for advancing women’s participation in combat sports. She also founded the women’s committee at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, helping to broaden opportunities for female athletes across the Middle East through policy-driven governance and institutional development.
The list also includes Princess Nouf Al-Saud, general manager of marketing at the Ministry of Sport, whose work has helped to elevate Saudi Arabia’s international sports profile. Having previously led the ministry’s external communications, she has played an important role in promoting the Kingdom’s sporting ambitions to global audiences.
Alanoud Althonayan, director and head of events and sponsorships at the Public Investment Fund, was honored for leading sponsorship and event strategy at a time when PIF has emerged as one of the world’s most influential investors in sport. Her work supports the fund’s growing portfolio of domestic and international partnerships across multiple sporting disciplines.
Also recognized was Lamia Bahaian, vice president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and a member of FIFA’s Women’s Club Competitions Committee. Through her leadership roles at both national and international levels, she has contributed to the governance and continued development of women’s football in Saudi Arabia and globally.
The 2026 Power 100 features leaders from the UK, Europe, the US, the Middle East and other regions, reflecting the increasingly global nature of women’s sport and the diverse group of individuals helping to shape its future.
The inclusion of five Saudi women on this year’s list underscores the Kingdom’s growing influence in the international sports landscape as investment, participation and leadership opportunities for women continue to expand.
