Winners Crowned at First INDIVISA Saudi Women’s Football Awards Presented by ROSHN Group
The best of women’s football in Saudi Arabia, both on and off the pitch, was celebrated at the INDIVISA Saudi Women’s Football Awards presented by ROSHN Group - the first awards of its kind in the Kingdom.
On-pitch winners were decided through a public vote following a shortlisting process led by a panel of industry experts. In total, 97,382 votes were cast.
INDIVISA is the largest women’s football and culture media brand dedicated to women’s football in the Middle East and is part of football media and culture company, Footballco.
Footballco’s Arabic women’s football coverage extends across its portfolio in the region, which includes GOAL and KOOORA, the first and only Arabic digital show designed for the women’s game, Yalla Girl.
The awards event took place at The Venue by ROSHN Group in Riyadh’s SEDRA community, which hosted prominent female leaders, athletes and influencers. ROSHN Group is Saudi Arabia's leading multi-asset class real estate developer and the Exclusive Presenting Partner of the INDIVISA awards, with a focus on healthy, active lifestyles in its integrated communities, and deep involvement in Saudi football from grassroots tournaments to ROSHN Saudi League.
Lana Abdulrazak (Al-Ittihad) - national player of the year, said: "This ceremony means a lot to me and to us as players, because there are finally honour awards for female football players in Saudi Arabia, and this serves as motivation for us and for future generations."
Kheira Hmraoui (Al-Hilal) - international player of the year, said:"I believe that the existence of an event like this is good for the image of women's football. Additionally, there is great interest in Saudi Arabia in women's football."
Seba Tawfiq (Al-Ittihad), fashion icon of the year, said: "Honestly, I am very happy to be here tonight at this ceremony, the first year it is held in Saudi Arabia. I am very proud of the development of women's football here in my country, and I feel that Saudi Arabia has remarkably given women's football its value, and also, it gave us a chance to prove ourselves—that we as girls are capable of being part of this great change happening in our Kingdom."
Andy Jackson, Footballco’s SVP Middle East, said: “This is a landmark moment for women’s football in the Kingdom, and with the support of ROSHN Group, we have created a new and impactful annual fixture in the women’s football calendar.
“I would like to congratulate all the winners this year. Fans have embraced the awards, casting nearly 100,000 votes, and clubs and players have shown these are awards they want to win.”
The winners are:
On-Pitch
Player of the year
Adriana Silva, Al-Qadsiah
Young player of the year
Layan Amir Al-Yafei, Al-Ittihad
International player of the year
Kheira Hamraoui, Al Hilal
National Team player of the year
Lana Abdel Razek, Al Ittihad
Team of the year
Goalkeeper
Muna Abdelrahman (Al Nassr)
Defenders
Kathellen Sousa (Al Nassr)
Rayanne Machado (Al Qadsiah)
Sara Al-Hamad (Al Nassr)
Midfielders
Lea Le Garrec (Al Qadsiah)
Lina Bousaha (Al-Ittihad)
Kheira Hamraoui (Al Hilal)
Maria Eduarda (Al Nassr)
Forwards
Clara Luvanga (Al Nassr)
Naomi Kabakaba (Al-Ahli)
Adriana Silva (Al Qadsiah)
Goal of the year
Sara Al-Hamad, Al Nassr
Off-Pitch
Most influential woman of the year
Maram Al-Butairi - CEO, Eastern Flames
Style Icon of the year
Seba Tawfiq - Al Ittihad & Saudi Arabian National Team Player
Local hero of the year
Sara Alawwad, founder of the Never Too Late initiative, which has encouraged wider female participation in football and sport
Female football executive of the year
Dona Rageb - Head of the Women’s Football Academy at AlUla SC for her work leading the women’s academy at AlUla club and helping nurture emerging talent.
Outstanding contribution to women’s football
Aalia AlRasheed, Head of Women’s Football Department, Saudi Arabian Football Federation
For her role in expanding opportunities and structures for women’s participation nationwide.
Read more in Arab News.
