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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (AP FILE PHOTO)
Starting 2018, Saudi Arabia would allow women into three sports stadiums for the first time, a landmark move that would open up the previously male-only venues to families, Saudi Arabia authorities said on Sunday.
The kingdom, which has some of the world鈥檚 tightest restrictions on women, has long barred women from sports听arenas by strict rules on segregation of the sexes in public.
The announcement is in line with powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman鈥檚 ambitious reform drive shaking up the ultra-conservative kingdom, including the decision to allow women to drive from June 2018.
鈥淪tarting the preparation of three stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah and Damman to be ready to accommodate families from early 2018,鈥� the General Sports Authority said on Twitter.
Last month, authorities allowed hundreds of women to throng a sports stadium in Riyadh, used mostly for football matches, for the first time to mark Saudi Arabia鈥檚 national day.
Under the country鈥檚 guardianship system, a male family member 鈥� normally the father, husband or brother 鈥� must grant permission for a woman鈥檚 study, travel, and other activities.
But the kingdom appears to be relaxing some norms as part of its 鈥淰ision 2030鈥� plan for economic and social reforms, which aims to boost female employment.
In July, rights campaigners welcomed an 鈥渙verdue鈥� reform by the education ministry to allow girls to take part in sports at state schools.听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 /kga