Saudi Arabia launches women-only sports centre

Sarah Attar of Saudi Arabia at 2012 London Olympics. Saudi Arabia was one of the 3 countries fielding female athletes for the first time at London Olympics

Riyadh - A pioneering “women-only” sports centre has opened in Saudi Arabia’s eastern city of Khobar.

The sports centre plans to recruit foreigners to work there, the al-Watan daily reported.

The centre will offer sports like karate, weight-loss courses and special courses for children.

Ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia in May gave the go-ahead for private sports lessons for girls.

Saudi Arabia was one of the three countries fielding female athletes for the first time at the London 2012 Olympics but only a minority of Saudi women practise sports regularly.