The Ministry of Interior will now permit the licensing of sports clubs for women.

The decision came following a study conducted to verify the status of the existing centers. The study found that there are several irregular practices in such businesses.

Before issuing licenses, the Interior Ministry and other government agencies are expected to establish strict guidelines and controls to eliminate violations previously discovered at other sport club centers.

The government agencies working with the Interior Ministry are the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Health, and the General Presidency of Youth.

The recommendations of the above-mentioned study include an item suggesting that sports clubs for women be allowed to open, subject to certain regulations, because women do need these kinds of activities.

Shoura Council member Thurayya Al-Urayyid said this week that it is important for women to have access to sports and health clubs, especially since these activities will be more disciplined and regulated.

The International Olympic Commission had earlier mandated that all member countries establish sports clubs for women. The Shoura Council recommended that sports clubs for women be established in all provinces according to legal and Islamic controls.

Lina Almaeena, cofounder and director of the Jeddah United Sports Company and captain of the Jeddah United basketball team told Arab News that she is optimistic.

“After being in this sector for 10 years, I feel excited about being finally able to obtain a legal permit,” she said. “This decision is very thrilling because it is going to help with unemployment issues and it will help decrease the amount of money that the Ministry of Health is paying to nurse Saudis back to health.”

The problem that prevented authorities from providing women gym permits was that the Youth Welfare did not employ women, according to Dr. Badr Al-Shibani, CEO of KAI fitness center.

“There were no women inspectors, supervisors or managers who would keep an eye on women-only gyms and make sure they are not breaking any laws,” he said. “Once this news is announced in the open I will be the first to apply for a permit because the demand is high and the supply is really low. This is a great investment.”

He added: “Women in Saudi Arabia desperately need gyms because obesity in adults reached 54 percent and in children 63 percent. We all know that obesity drags other diseases along and I believe that going to the gym can help with this problem.”