Okaz/Saudi Gazette

MADINAH – Saudi authorities have intensified their efforts to improve sports facilities for girls and women in the country. Education Minister Ahmed Al-Isa recently announced his ministry’s plan to introduce physical education at girls’ schools from next academic year.

Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz University in Madinah, meanwhile, declared its intent to hold a series of sports programs for girls and women of different age groups in the first two weeks of August. It has organized taekwondo and fitness courses and football and basketball courses for boys and girls.

“The university organized a course in shuttle game for girls,” a senior official, who requested anonymity, told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. Its sports hall is provided with advanced equipment and facilities while trainers have obtained international certificates from Canada and Germany.

Sports programs are organized by the university for girls in the age groups of 5-15, boys in the age-group of 5-9, young women aged 16 and above and women of all ages. In the morning hours courses will be held from 8 to 12 noon and in the evening from 4 to 7 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday.

The lady in charge of sports at the university, who requested anonymity, said the university decided to organize these courses after learning the desire of girls and women to practice various sports activities. The idea was developed after organizing a summer sports camp for the university staff.

“That camp was a big success,” said the official. The university conducted two courses during the last summer and this year it wanted to accommodate children, girls and women. “This is the first time Prince Muqrin University is holding such sports courses for women, following Shariah rules,” she added.

The university intends to establish a sports academy to train trainers and develop various skills of its students to take part in national and international sports events. “We are planning to host the first open shuttle tournament this year in the Kingdom,” said the official.

The university has been conducting women sports courses since it was established three years ago. It has an integrated sports building and special courts for basketball and shuttle, the official said, adding that the hall can accommodate more than 100 spectators.

“The university has also set up a sports club. It intends to expand its services to women by holding a camp during summer for the welfare of the community,” the official said.

Shada Amir, who wanted to join the sports camp, said women sport clubs required experienced trainers to teach various sports. Mariyam Sulaiman stressed the importance of creating a sports environment for girls and women. Women’s sports clubs should have vast areas to conduct physical exercises and expand their areas for public sports activities.

Zahra Al-Johani spoke about the growing interest of girls and women in sports. This will encourage investment in women sports, she added. Experienced trainers are required to make women’s sports clubs effective and successful all over the Kingdom.

Prince Muqrin University is the first charitable civil university of high international standards and is keen to provide knowledge in the fields of engineering, computer science, information technology and business management for young Saudi men and women.

While opening the university, Prince Muqrin said it would contribute to the preparation of a generation aware of its responsibilities and duties toward their religion, king and homeland. Madinah Governor Prince Faisal Bin Salman, who participated in the opening ceremony, said the new university would bring about educational renaissance in the region.

“The role of Prince Muqrin University will not be limited to graduating qualified students for the labor market,” said Princess Mashael Bin Sultan. “It is seeking to gain global distinction and become competitive in its fields, and to play a significant role in serving the community,” she said, adding that it would consolidate research links with various educational institutions and support scientific research locally, regionally and internationally.

Khidr Al-Qurashi, its president, said the university has three main colleges for engineering, business administration and computer science. “It will provide specialized courses in cyber crimes and information security. It will also offer courses in architectural engineering and interior design for girls.”