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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will allow women into three sports stadiums for the first time from 2018, in a landmark move that would open up the previously male-only venues to families.

Having long barred women from sports arenas to abide by strict rules on segregation of the sexes in public, the Kingdom's General Sports Authority announced on Twitter "starting the preparation of three stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam to be ready to accommodate families from early 2018."

The announcement is in line with powerful Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s ambitious reform drive in the nation, including the decision to allow women to drive from next June.

In September authorities allowed hundreds of women to enter a sports stadium in Riyadh for the first time to mark Saudi Arabia’s national day.

Under the country’s guardianship system, a male family member - normally the father, husband or brother - must grant permission for a woman’s study, travel and other activities.

But the Kingdom appears to be relaxing some norms as part of its 'Vision 2030' plan for economic and social reforms, which aims to boost female employment.

In July, rights campaigners welcomed an 'overdue' reform by the Saudi Education Ministry to allow girls to take part in sports at Government schools. 

14th August 2017 - HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP WELCOMES SAUDI ARABIAN REFORM ON SCHOOL SPORT FOR GIRLS

17th March 2017 - FITNESS FIRST MIDDLE EAST TO OPEN WOMEN-ONLY GYMS IN SAUDI ARABIA

9th March 2017 - NIKE LAUNCHES HIGH-PERFORMANCE SPORTS HIJAB FOR MUSLIM ATHLETES

23rd February 2017 - ASIAN FITNESS CLUB MERGER SEES CREATION OF EVOLUTION WELLNESS 

15th February 2017 - SAUDI ARABIA TO START GRANTING LICENCES FOR FEMALE GYM OPERATIONS 

25th January 2015 - AFC OFFICIAL ‘HAPPY’ TO BAR WOMEN SPECTATORS FROM STADIA 

15th October 2014 - WOMEN’S SPORTING RIGHTS PUT SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAN ON THE DEFENSIVE 

7th July 2014 - SAUDI ARABIA ANNOUNCES PLANS TO BUILD 11 STADIA

19th November 2013 - MAJORITY OF SAUDIS FAVOUR WOMEN’S RIGHT TO SPORT

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