Saudi girls hope to become kingdom’s first licensed ice hockey team

A group of Saudi girls are hoping to become the country’s first licensed ice hockey team, according to reports.

Saudi Gazette said the team, led by coach Sultan Salama, was seeking an official licence from the General Sport Authority (GSA).

“The girls are hoping that the hockey teams will be supported and provided with an Olympic arena (with an ice rink) for practicing,” Salama was quoted as saying.

Team member Dajana Bahader said she had been practicing ice hockey for almost two years, using YouTube tutorials for training.

Economic and social reforms are opening up new opportunities for women and girls in the kingdom.

Last September, Saudi schoolgirls began taking physical education classes for the first time under a decree set to take effect across the kingdom this academic year.

Read: Saudi schoolgirls to take physical education classes from September

The first licences for female-only gyms were also issued last year.

Boutique gym firm NuYu received an investment from Bahrain-based Arcapita earlier this week, which will be used to grow the company’s network from seven to 30 gyms across the kingdom.

Read: Saudi women-only gym chain NuYu to expand after Arcapita investment

The kingdom also lifted its female driving ban in June and allowed women to attend football games for the first time at the start of the year.

Read: Saudi women are back in the driving seat