October 14 – The new Saudi Arabian Women’s Premier League kicked-off last night in Riyadh.
The eight-team competition is closely linked to the men’s game with traditional Saudi Pro League men’s clubs having established female sides to take part.
Next month the Saudis plan to launch First Division League, taking total number of teams in both competitions to 25.
The new league – the only professional women’s league in the region – has attracted players from overseas. Teams are competing for a prize pool of SAR 1.43 million ($380,500).
Premier League teams will compete in two-legged fixtures over the next 14 weeks. The First Division League, launching on November 11, will have 17 teams from across the Kingdom playing for a prize pool of SAR 660k (≈$175,580). The champion will be promoted to the Premier League.
Women’s football is developing fast in Saudi Arabia, from youth development and grassroots to the training of female coaches and referees.
Last month, the national team hosted their first-ever matches on home soil against Bhutan.
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