Women in action, women in sports

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com Zahra Ayaz

Reported by Zahra Ayaz

In celebration of International Women’s Day, a gathering of influential female athletes and sports stakeholders recently convened in Bahrain.

Organised by the French Embassy in partnership with the Royal University for Women and the Bahrain Paralympic Committee, the round-table discussion aimed to address the opportunities and challenges faced by women in sports.

Under the patronage of His Excellency Eric Giraud-Telme, the Ambassador of France, the event welcomed esteemed guests such as Prof. Riyad Y. Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, and Mr. Ali Mohamed Al Majed, Secretary General of the Bahrain Paralympic Committee.

Her Highness Shaikha Hussa bint Khalid Al Khalifa, a researcher and board member of the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC), kicked off the conversation by sharing her personal journey.

She acknowledged the limited opportunities for women in football and recounted how she established Bahrain’s first women’s national football team to create more avenues for female athletes.

She stated, “The initial challenges were significant, as societal perceptions often discouraged women from engaging in football. However, over time, we witnessed a positive shift.”

Mrs. Dana Zubari, founder of Lettuce Run & Cycling Bees and an athlete herself, emphasized the transformative power of sports in boosting confidence and fostering discipline. She highlighted, “Setting and achieving goals through sports instills self-assurance and resilience.”

Positive impact

Mrs. Fajar Al Bin-Ali, a Taekwondo champion and founder of Sports to Door, expressed gratitude for the positive impact of sports on her life. She credited sports for cultivating healthy habits and providing opportunities for personal development and international competition.

She shared, “Sports enabled me to effectively cope with stress while providing opportunities to travel and compete internationally.”

Mrs. Eman Hassan, a Paralympic Coach, shared her mission to empower girls with disabilities through sports. She highlighted the historical barriers faced by disabled girls and her goal to inspire and raise awareness about inclusivity in sports. She emphasised, “My goal is to bring these children out of their homes, inspire them, and raise awareness about inclusivity in sports.”

Personal transformation

Mrs. Fai Al Asfoor, another Paralympic Coach and founder of Run4All, recounted her personal transformation through sports. She stated, “Through running, I discovered newfound confidence and social engagement, and I want to encourage people of all ages, including the elderly and individuals with disabilities, to participate in races and walks.”

Mrs. Roba Alomari, a Paralympic Athlete and the first female wheelchair basketball player in the GCC, emphasised the power of determination in overcoming obstacles. She asserted, “Being in a wheelchair should never be an excuse to refrain from sports.”

Lastly, Mrs. Alexia Vanlaere, director of the forthcoming documentary “Women’s Game,” shared her experiences documenting the struggles and success stories of women in sports from around the world.