Women’s sports are thriving in Saudia Arabia, thanks to the government’s Vision 2030 plan

Women’s sports are increasingly popular globally, and athletes from the Middle East are increasingly making their mark on the global stage.

As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 development plan, the state has supported women athletes and encouraged participation in everything from mixed martial arts (MMA) to motorsports. During the Fortune Most Powerful Women conference in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, three women athletes spoke on the importance of sports in the Middle East and beyond.

Thanks to government support, women’s sports are thriving in Saudi Arabia, said MMA athlete Rasha Alkhamis.

“Fom year 2021 to 2024, women’s boxing grew by 460%,” she said. “Women are registered across 84 government clubs where they’re competing with men,” she said.

By competing, especially in combat sports such