New SAFF president unveils plans to grow sport in Kingdom

Mr Alfawaz has ambitious plans that include raising the national team's global ranking to the 40th place from the current 70th.

Quassay Alfawaz was elected President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) on Wednesday, October 3, during the federation's Extraordinary General Assembly Meeting (2018 to 2022). The meeting was held at the King Fahad Cultural Centre in Riyadh.
Mr Alfawaz has ambitious plans that include raising the national team's global ranking to the 40th place from the current 70th. He has also appointed the first female board members. They include Adwa Al Arifi, previously a member within the commission of social responsibility of SAFF; and Reham Al Onaizan, who brings rich experience in planning and project management from the private sector.
Mr Alfawaz said he planned to send more players from the Kingdom to top foreign leagues - a move that took effect this year - and to place Saudi Premiere League - rechristened MBS League - among the top 10 in the world. His programme, called "The Rise of Saudi Football", will also see an increase in the number of national coaches and specialized football scouts for recruiting to discover more new talent in Saudi Arabia.
He said his plan was inspired by Vision 2030, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He said the plan would support all three pillars of the Vision: creating a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation.
Football is one of the most popular sports among women in Saudi Arabia.
Football stadiums were opened to women last year when tens of thousands of women flocked to watch at different stadiums to watch football matches. Now, the SAFF leadership has set the tone for its future with the new appointments, which mean 20 percent of its board members are women. The General Sports Authority (GSA) itself, which was set up two years ago, has 10 percent women on its staff at the leadership level.
Princess Reema bint Bandar, the Deputy of Planning and Development for the Saudi Arabian General Sports Authority, who championed for family inclusion in the sport, attended the meeting.

• Saudi Arabia