Sports

Women feel empowered by the changes

‘Many of my preconceptions were proved wrong’

September 24, 2018
David Walker
David Walker

By David Walker

The message from the female reporter on stage was compelling and emotional.

She was taking part in a workshop at the 21st Congress of AIPS Asia, which was staged in Jeddah over the weekend. She was joined on stage by delegates from as far afield as Chinese Taipei, India, Jordan and Dubai.

The lady who captivated her audience was from the host nation. She revealed how the night before the congress she had covered an Al-Nassr match in the Saudi League as a working journalist and had driven herself to the stadium by car. Six months ago she would not have been able to do this. It would have been against the law.

But the law has changed. And the women involved in the AIPS debate explained how they feel empowered by the changes. It’s a start.

In England our first female national newspaper sports writer was Julie Welch. A fine writer, she was appointed in 1973. But 45 years later we still have much work to do in the UK regarding equality, not just about opportunities for women but also race equality and ensuring disabled journalists have access to work.

The key fact is that you have to make a start somewhere and that’s what the AIPS Asia women were so happy to talk about over the weekend. They’ve made a breakthrough and appreciate that.

The fact that women can now drive in Saudi Arabia also reminded me how my dear old mother used to drive — very badly. In her old age she admitted she’d never actually passed a driving test. During the Second World War she had volunteered to be a driver and without any formal qualification was handed a license that put other road users at risk for years.

This was my first trip to Saudi Arabia and I must admit many of my preconceptions were proved wrong. It did help that the congress was being staged during the weekend when Saudis celebrated their national day. It was a weekend long party in Jeddah.

And it was certainly the best street party I’ve attended since the World Cup was staged in the United States in 1994. Back then the fans of Mexico, Holland and the Republic of Ireland were all in Florida at the same time. I remember on one unforgettable night Church Street, Orlando was the scene of a party in which the supporters from all three countries sang their songs, danced and partied together. They were football fans and their sport united them as friends. There was no hint of the curse of hooliganism.

The street in downtown Orlando was a sea of green with Mexico and Ireland fans wearing their teams’ colors. Well, in Jeddah this weekend I saw the green of Saudi Arabia being proudly worn by people happily singing and dancing as they celebrated their nation day.

It was great to stroll along the Corniche Saturday night and enjoy my first bowl of balilah, watch the laser show from the roof of the Ritz Carlton hotel and savor the sights, sounds and smells by the Red Sea. The parades were spectacular and fun.

But I must admit that with the temperature still soaring around 34 degrees at midnight, this ageing Englishman did find the climate a little hot. My guide and Saudi mentor Norah Alhaqbani smiled sagely and pointed out: “David, you must come back in the summer — when it’s really hot!”

(David Walker is the former chairman of the Sports Journalists’ Association of Great Britain)


September 24, 2018
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