Saudi Arabia keeps pace with women's development by hosting first international tournament
January 13 - Saudi Arabia, which has launched a bid to host the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup, has taken another step forward with women's football in the country, with Dammam hosting the first-ever 11 against 1 women of the Kingdom. parallel international tournament.
The four-team tournament featuring Saudi Arabia, Comoros, Pakistan and Mauritius kicked off on January 11 and will run until January 19.
The opening matches, both played at Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium in Dammam, saw Saudi Arabia beat Mauritius 1-0 thanks to Myriam Al Tamimi's goal, while Pakistan beat Comoros 1- 0 thanks to the strike of Anmol Hira.
The Saudi women are making rapid progress in developing their women's football. They played their first Women's National Team games at home against Bhutan in September last year and kicked off the new Saudi Women's Premier League in October. The eight-team competition is closely tied to the men's game, with traditional men's clubs in the Saudi Pro League having established women's teams to participate.
A women's first division is expected to follow, while the Saudis have also launched a school league for young women.
Holding the tournament in Dammam is hailed as a major milestone for women's football as the country seeks a first FIFA ranking.
Monika Staab, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia, said: "This tournament offers enormous scope to advance football in the Kingdom. We are very proud to expand the opportunities for our team. of talented international footballers, while providing a pathway for future generations of Saudi girls.
"Our Green Falcons are working very hard to get into the official FIFA rankings, and the event we are hosting will help raise standards at all levels. These are exciting times for women's football in Saudi Arabia. "
The Saudis are back in action on Sunday January 15 against Comoros, while Pakistan take on Mauritius. Next Thursday (January 19), the tournament will conclude with Saudi Arabia taking on Pakistan, while Comoros take on Mauritius.
While the tournament is key to advancing the Saudi team's performance levels, it also marks the debut of Anoud Al Asmari, the first female Saudi referee to appear on the official FIFA List of Referees , who officiated his first match as an official FIFA referee at the tournament.
Lamia Bahaian, Supervisor of the Women's Football Department of the Saudi Football Federation, said: "The Saudi Football Federation is also delighted with the success of Anoud Al Asmari in refereeing his first match as the official referee of FIFA and looks forward to helping her develop her enormous potential on the international stage. Her appointment is an important moment for football in the country and the region and provides another example of a Saudi woman in a prestigious position that can inspiring girls across the Kingdom and beyond.”
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1673611873labto1673611873ofdlr1673611873owedi1673611873sni@n1673611873osloh1673611873cin.l1673611873uap1673611873
January 13 - Saudi Arabia, which has launched a bid to host the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup, has taken another step forward with women's football in the country, with Dammam hosting the first-ever 11 against 1 women of the Kingdom. parallel international tournament.
The four-team tournament featuring Saudi Arabia, Comoros, Pakistan and Mauritius kicked off on January 11 and will run until January 19.
The opening matches, both played at Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium in Dammam, saw Saudi Arabia beat Mauritius 1-0 thanks to Myriam Al Tamimi's goal, while Pakistan beat Comoros 1- 0 thanks to the strike of Anmol Hira.
The Saudi women are making rapid progress in developing their women's football. They played their first Women's National Team games at home against Bhutan in September last year and kicked off the new Saudi Women's Premier League in October. The eight-team competition is closely tied to the men's game, with traditional men's clubs in the Saudi Pro League having established women's teams to participate.
A women's first division is expected to follow, while the Saudis have also launched a school league for young women.
Holding the tournament in Dammam is hailed as a major milestone for women's football as the country seeks a first FIFA ranking.
Monika Staab, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia, said: "This tournament offers enormous scope to advance football in the Kingdom. We are very proud to expand the opportunities for our team. of talented international footballers, while providing a pathway for future generations of Saudi girls.
"Our Green Falcons are working very hard to get into the official FIFA rankings, and the event we are hosting will help raise standards at all levels. These are exciting times for women's football in Saudi Arabia. "
The Saudis are back in action on Sunday January 15 against Comoros, while Pakistan take on Mauritius. Next Thursday (January 19), the tournament will conclude with Saudi Arabia taking on Pakistan, while Comoros take on Mauritius.
While the tournament is key to advancing the Saudi team's performance levels, it also marks the debut of Anoud Al Asmari, the first female Saudi referee to appear on the official FIFA List of Referees , who officiated his first match as an official FIFA referee at the tournament.
Lamia Bahaian, Supervisor of the Women's Football Department of the Saudi Football Federation, said: "The Saudi Football Federation is also delighted with the success of Anoud Al Asmari in refereeing his first match as the official referee of FIFA and looks forward to helping her develop her enormous potential on the international stage. Her appointment is an important moment for football in the country and the region and provides another example of a Saudi woman in a prestigious position that can inspiring girls across the Kingdom and beyond.”
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1673611873labto1673611873ofdlr1673611873owedi1673611873sni@n1673611873osloh1673611873cin.l1673611873uap1673611873
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