DUBAI: Princess Reema Bint Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud, winner of the Arab Sports Personality Award at the 9th Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, wants to see more women take up top positions in Saudi Arabian sports federation and inspire the generations that follow.

The first female to lead a Saudi sports federation when she took over as president of the Federation for Community Sports in October, Princess Reema is also Deputy President of Saudi Arabia’s Sports Authority for Planning & Development.

Her pioneering role in the founding and regulation of women’s sport in Saudi Arabia, including the introduction of sports among girls in public schools, has seen Princess Reema bag the prestigious Arab Sports Personality award at the 9th Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, which comes under the umbrella of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.

Thanking His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for his “pioneering approach to sports and athletes, not just local but the wider Arab region”, which has seen the MBR Creative Sports Award become the “dream of every Arab athlete and official”, Princess Reema is hoping to see many more Saudi women follow her lead.

“I am hoping to see women in the top hierarchy of every sports federation in Saudi Arabia, for they will then become role models for the women who follow,” said Princess Reema as she spelt out her dreams for sports in Saudi Arabia in the main session of the 9th Sports Creativity Forum on Tuesday at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers’ Godolphin Ballroom.

“It is important that women take up these positions, learn on the job and then pass on their knowledge to the next generation.” Women’s sports, however, is not the principal focus of Princess Reema. As head of Community Sports, she is trying to reach out to a wider segment of the society and hoping to increase the pool of people playing sports.