Saudi Arabia Grants Citizenship to Three Female Athletes
Saudi Arabia has granted citizenship to three female athletes under a royal decree aimed at recognizing outstanding contributions in the field of sports. According to Arab News, the recipients include American footballer Maryam Al-Tamimi, French tennis player Maïssan Hussein, and Muay Thai fighter Tasneem Al-Qusabi.
Maryam Al-Tamimi was selected by the national team head coach Monica Staab and is registered with the Saudi Football Federation. In 2021, she led her former team, the Eastern Flames, to first place in the Eastern Province League.
Fifteen-year-old French tennis prodigy Maïssan Hussein, who has won several championships for girls in Saudi Arabia, ranked 41st in the Asian Tennis Federation’s U14 category and triumphed in the U16 category at the Mehdiya Open Tennis Championship.
Tasneem Al-Qusabi, a Muay Thai fighter from Thailand, also joins the recipients. She clinched the Saudi Women’s Championship in Riyadh in 2021 and secured third place in the Virtual World Championship amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, representing Saudi Arabia.
The royal decree aims to honor individuals with exceptional skills contributing significantly to various sectors in Saudi society. Saudi Press Agency reports that the initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote its economy and culture by attracting talented professionals from around the world, including renowned figures like Pakistani-born scientist Dr. Mahmood Khan, known for his ancestral ties to Pakistan and exceptional achievements.
Saudi Arabia continues its program to grant citizenship to individuals who can contribute uniquely to its economy and society, reflecting its commitment to global talent acquisition and development.
