International Journal of Social Science & Interdisciplinary Research______ISSN 2277-3630 IJSSIR, Vol. 4 (8), AUGUST (2015), pp. 24-27 Online available at indianresearchjournals.com

WOMEN AND SPORTS IN

SAJEED K.P

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION, CALICUT UNIVERSITY CENTRE, KADMAT, LAKSHADWEEP, INDIA.

ABSTRACT

Saudi Arabia is the world's dominant oil producer and exporter while it controls world's second largest hydrocarbon reserves. Women’s rights in Saudi Arabia are limited in comparison to many of its neighbors. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that prohibits women from driving. Saudi Arabian law, women were, until recently, not permitted to compete in the . There were calls for Saudi Arabia to be barred from the Olympics until it permitted women to compete. In 2013 Saudi Arabia’s first dedicated sports center for girls was opened in Khobar, offering training programs that include physical fitness, karate, yoga and weight loss as well as special activities for children. That year it was also announced that Saudi Arabian girls are officially allowed to practice sports in private schools. However, following the International Olympic Committee pressuring the Saudi Olympic Committee to send female athletes to the 2012 Summer Olympics, in June 2012 the Saudi Embassy in announced this had been agreed and two young women from Saudi Arabia, WojdanShaherkani and Sarah Attar, who were the first Saudi women ever to compete in the Olympics. The issue of women driving remains unresolved. However, the recent decision on sports in Saudi Arabia is a step in the right direction that might eventually inspire athletic leadership among young women who have yet to even play sports.

KEYWORDS: Olympic, Saudi Arabia, Sports, Women.

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