Saudi Arabia: Women watch football match in stadium for first time
Jeddah, Jan 13 (IBNS): A rare event was witnessed by a stadium in Jeddah when female football fans, for the first time in the history of the ultra-conservative Muslim country, were allowed to attend the match.
The King Abdullah Sports City stadium recorded history when it was for the first time that a major sporting event was open to women in the kingdom.
Women could attend the match after strict gender segregation was eased by authority in October last year.
The decree opened the King Fahd stadium in Riyadh, King Abdullah Sport City stadium in Jeddah, and Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd stadium in Dammam to women and families. All three stadiums were previously male-only, CNN reported.
Friday's match was played between Al-Ahli F.C. and Al-Batin F.C.
Al-Ahl beat their opponents 5-0 in the Saudi Professional League clash.
In the stadium, keeping in mind the women spectators, a 'family entrance' was created.
"Today, you brought happiness to every Saudi family and woman who attended the first game," said Reema Bandar Al-Saud, a deputy at the General Sports Authority and part of the Saudi Royal family was quoted as saying by CNN.
Reema said the day marked a historic moment for the kingdom.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
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