In a new sporting achievement reflecting the development of women's sports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Al-Nasr badminton player, Yasmin Abduljawad, won the gold medal in the Kingdom's Junior Championship 2025. The sports hall at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh hosted the championship events over three days, and witnessed strong competition with the participation of 85 players representing 28 Saudi clubs from different regions.
The renaissance of women's sports and Vision 2030
This achievement comes within the context of the significant sporting development taking place in Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030, which has placed great emphasis on empowering women in the sports sector. Recent years have witnessed a qualitative leap in the establishment of women's teams within popular clubs such as Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ittihad, contributing to increased competitiveness and the discovery of young talent. Badminton is one of the sports that has received substantial support from the Saudi Badminton Federation, with the aim of building a strong base of male and female players capable of representing the Kingdom in international competitions.
The joy of the coronation and the pivotal role of the family
In an exclusive interview with Okaz newspaper, champion Yasmin Abduljawad expressed her overwhelming emotions after her victory, saying, "I felt indescribable joy, and I wished everyone could have been there to share in this happiness and witness my pride in my achievements." Yasmin also emphasized the crucial role of her family in her success, stating, "My family plays a very important role, especially psychologically. With each stage I go through, I feel a greater responsibility and a greater need for their support to maintain my progress and excel.".
The Al-Nassr player addressed an awareness message to Saudi families, saying: “Supporting children is a great responsibility, and leaving them or not involving them causes frustration and may lead to a desire to withdraw. My advice to every family: even if you find that your children do not want you to be present during their participations and tournaments, your presence is very important and psychologically influential for them and the administrative staff. Your presence is strength and support, so do not underestimate their feelings.”.
Psychological challenges and global aspirations
Regarding the behind-the-scenes aspects of the tournament and the most difficult moments, Yasmine explained: “The pressure and tension before one of the important matches was the hardest, especially with the high expectations. But I tried to calm myself down and focused on playing point by point, remembering my intensive training.” She also pointed out the importance of technical support and psychological preparation, which boosted her self-confidence and helped her manage the matches intelligently.
Regarding the future of the sport, Yasmin expressed her optimism, saying, "I see women's badminton developing beautifully and rapidly, and there's a clear interest in the sport. The next stage needs more support, more tournaments, and opportunities for international competition to gain more experience." She concluded with high aspirations: "My ambition doesn't stop at gold; it's just a new beginning, and I look forward to continental and international participation and representing my country in the best possible way.".
Family support and praise for administrative efforts
For her part, the player's mother, family and social specialist Duaa Zahran, emphasized that the gold medal holds a symbolic value that transcends its precious metal worth. Speaking to Okaz newspaper, she said, "The medal means a great deal to me; it's the result of long years of hard work and sacrifice, and a message confirming that the path was the right one and that the effort was not in vain." Dr. Duaa also expressed her gratitude to the Al-Nassr Club management, especially Mr. Abdulkarim Al-Rabeeah, as well as to the coaches and team manager, Ms. Amira Al-Aryani, for their efforts in motivating the players.
Victory sweeps gold
In terms of overall results, Al-Nasr Club dominated the tournament, topping the medal count with three gold, one silver, and one bronze. Yasmin Abduljawad and Al-Batoul Al-Mutairi secured first place in the girls' doubles, while Raeda Mohammed claimed first place in the girls' singles, and Al-Batoul Al-Mutairi earned the bronze medal in the singles. In the boys' competitions, Amer Mohammed won first place in the singles, while the duo of Yamen Bashahab and Saeed Al-Mutairi won the silver medal in the doubles. This success reflects the outstanding grassroots work undertaken by Saudi clubs to prepare a promising generation of athletes to compete in elite championships and upcoming regional events.
