Lamia bint Bahian replaces Adwa Al-Arifi on Saudi Arabian Football Federation board

Adwa Al-Arifi has played a major role in the establishment of women's football in Saudi Arabia. (File/Arriyadiyah)
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  • Federation confirms financial aid for clubs in the top three tiers of Saudi football

DUBAI: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has appointed Lamia bint Bahian as a member and director of the Women’s Football Department after accepting the resignation of Adwa Al-Arifi, Arabic sports daily Arriyadiyah reported.

The announcements came during the 12th regular meeting of the federation on Thursday.

The council thanked Al-Arifi for the work she carried out during her tenure, including her role in the establishment of women’s football in the Kingdom.

Al-Arifi, who last year was appointed undersecretary of planning and development at the Ministry of Sports, attended Al-Yamamah University in Riyadh, where she gained a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2011.

As an undergraduate student, Al-Arifi established the Al-Yamamah Female Football Club in 2007 and acted as president of the university’s student council.

In 2008, she founded the Riyadh Female Football Committee, with the aim of developing regulations and rules for football leagues, management and planning, as well as training and referee workshops.

The council set Oct. 6 as the date for the next general assembly to be held in Jeddah, and also approved funding of SR300,000 ($80,000) in support of all third-tier clubs, to be paid in two instalments.

Clubs from the top two tiers will continue to be supported, with 50 percent of an agreed grant to be paid upfront.