Girls competing for Saudi Arabia alongside boys for first time at ISF World School Summer Games

LONDON: Girls are representing Saudi Arabia alongside boys for the first time at the ISF World School Summer Games for U15s currently running in Rio de Janeiro.

The girls in the Saudi squad include Basma bint Ahmed Al-Zawawi, Lynn bint Abdul Rahman Al-Shnefi and Arin bint Hussein Tolba. They join Mishaal Abdullah Hazazi, Abdul Rahman Muhammad, Abdullah Al-Jaryan, Ali Al-Awami, Mubarak Al-Yami, Ali Al-Youssef and Musaed Al-Subaie.

The president of the Saudi Federation for School Sports, Ali bin Al-Shuaelan, said: “The school athletics team are prepared to participate in the competitions in Brazil and to represent Saudi schools in the best way, thanks to the support and great interest of Yusuf Al-Bunyan, minister of education and chairman of the federation’s board.”

Al-Shuaelan also said the high-level support had contributed to the growth and prosperity of sport in the Kingdom’s schools through various programs and activities, all part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program.

Al-Shuaelan wished all the athletes success, adding: “The participation of female (athletes) in the (competition) is the first time in the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as we have been keen in the Saudi Federation for School Sports to keep pace with the growth of women’s sports in schools and in national teams.”

The delegation leading the team is headed by Saleha Al-Ghamdi, accompanied by administrative and specialized technical staff carefully chosen to supervise and prepare the athletes.