Five years ago women could not do sports Saudi Arabia. Now some of them are professional football players. they go on television. “Being born a woman in Saudi Arabia means being born with fewer rights than men and living under a system of male tutelage,” says Amnesty International. Despite this, they have been investing in the development of women’s football for two years and have applied to host the Women’s World Cup. Ana JunyentThe Catalan coach, who took over Eibar in the F League, has been managing Al-Riyadh for three months. He is the only Spanish coach in the Saudi women’s league.

“I said no at first” Ibérica welcomes Ana Junyent from the Prensa Group to El Periódico de Catalunya. But they finally convinced him: “My concept and idea of ​​Saudi Arabia changes a little when Soraya Chaoui, the organizer of the Barcelona Women’s Football School, goes to the country and explains to me how everything works. Three months later, The image I have is completely different from what I imagined.“, To explain.

From not exercising to being on TV

Saudi women have only been able to play football for five years and the league has been professional for two. Sport is one of the main axes of the ‘Vision 2030’ government plan, which aims to open up the Asian country to the rest of the world through ‘open’ social and economic measures. “For Saudi players, this is a dream. They couldn’t do sports, now they’re on TV“, states. Although there are still some players without a contract, the league’s base salary is net 10,000 Saudi riyals (2,450 euros per month), while in Spain players managed to agree on a minimum annual salary of 21,000 euros already this season after a two-day strike.

“I haven’t seen the screen behind each game yet. Spain, Except Barça and Madrid. “We play in stadiums where the first men’s teams play their matches and the matches are televised,” he says. Although “it is no different from what happens in the F League”, the attendance of the spectators in the matches is low: “Approximately 200-400 people come to watch the matches. There is no distinction between men and women, everyone is in the same stands” “Of course there are many veiled women, but there are many others who are not fully veiled anymore There are women too.”

Currently, there can be seven international players in the teams, four of them together. This figure may increase next year for improvement purposes. “The level in the league is still low. The difference between Saudi players and international players is huge. “They have a lot of work to do at all levels: coordination, cognitive, tactical… but they are so motivated and have so much interest, it is so rewarding to train them,” he says.

Players leaving due to family pressure

It’s not an easy job for these players. Some had to stop playing because their families wouldn’t let them. “There are families who do not want their daughters to appear on social networks and television. That’s why there are players who stop playing. All of this will change quickly, families need to get used to it. “These people live one way all their lives and in three or four years they make a big change, it’s not easy to assimilate,” he explains.

“I would say it’s almost a completely different country compared to five years ago. They have a very different culture and way of doing business, but things are changing a lot. Generally speaking, They will say it’s similar to behavior in Spain 50 or 60 years ago.A place where families don’t let you do anything…” says Junyent. “Our adventure is very normal, they welcomed us with open arms and great respect. “The development of the country will be very rapid and magnificent and we want to be a part of it,” he adds.

The Catalan coach, who played for Barça for nine years before spending time on the bench for Seagull de Badalona and Eibar, was also the coach of the men’s teams. She sees herself training in the First Division, where no women have arrived yet. “Of course it will happen, but there is still a lot to do. Inside F League There are only three coaches out of sixteen. “Most of our coaches had to go abroad,” he emphasizes. “There is a lack of courage to put a coach in the first team. “I guided men, I don’t see any difference, I even think it has added value,” he says.