Khurram Shehzad Awan :
The latest chapter in Saudi Arabia’s football evolution came to a close this past weekend as the 2024 West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Women’s Championship reached its conclusion – the first official 11-a-side women’s tournament ever held in the Kingdom.
A milestone occasion that attracted nationwide interest and engagement, this 8th edition of the Championship was staged in Jeddah throughout its 11-day duration from 19-29 February as seven countries competed alongside the host nation.
Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Nepal, Palestine, Syria, and Guam joined Saudi Arabia with fixtures played at the King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sport City stadiums. 15 matches were played in total across the group and knock-out stages. The final was played in front of over 4,000 fans at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sport City Stadium and ended 2-2 after full time, with Jordan winning the tournament via a penalty shoot-out against Nepal in Thursday’s final.
The final was attended by Adwa AlArifi Assistant Minister for Sport Affairs at the Ministry of Sport, Lamia Bahian Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), Khalil Al Salem WAFF General Secretary, and Aalia AlRasheed, Head of the Women’s Football Department at SAFF.
Lamia Bahaian, Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation said: “This incredible milestone will be forever etched in Saudi football history as the first official 11-a-side women’s tournament hosted in the Kingdom – and it is one we will build from moving forward. We promise that the 2024 WAFF Women’s Championship is the start of an exciting new era for professional women’s football in Saudi Arabia. Besides showcasing our hosting credentials to the region and wider world, it has paved the way for more competitions to make their way to our shores in the years ahead. For sure, this will be the first of many.”
Women’s football in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a massive transformation and the 2024 WAFF’s Women’s Championship was the latest illustration of nationwide growth and development. With thousands of fans in attendance throughout the competition, Bahaian insists the women’s game is inspiring audiences as a driving force for positive change – with the Saudi Arabia women’s national team “instrumental” to the direction of travel.
Aalia Al Rasheed, Head of Women’s Football Department at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, added: “Women’s football in Saudi Arabia is one of the most exciting stories in world football today – and the future is bright. We have a unique opportunity to be one of the catalysts for positive change in the global women’s game, and international tournaments are one of the many ways we can harness the full potential of this opportunity. Looking ahead, we can promise that the 2024 WAFF Women’s Championship is just the start of our hosting story.”
