Ghoroor Abdulwaheed, Health and Sports Specialist at Qatar Foundation
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Foundation actively supports sports exclusively for girls and women and fencing were recently included to its Creating Pathways Program – an initiative of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 legacy plans.
Fencing has a long history in the Arab world. According to the Olympic website, sword fighting dates back to Ancient Egypt in 1190 BC, with duels continuing until the 18th century. Fencing, which began as military training, started to develop into a sport in the 14th or 15th century.
Qatar’s evolving approach to sports is fostering greater interest, particularly in fencing, with a growing number of women embracing the sport, according to Ghoroor Abdulwaheed, Health and Sports Specialist at Qatar Foundation.
In an interview with The Peninsula, Ghoroor shared her journey into fencing and her efforts to inspire future generations of female athletes.
“Fencing was not a sport to me. It was a passion, a thing that I enjoy,” said Ghoroor, whose love for fencing began at age 10 after watching a guest match at her school. It lead her pursue the sport and to become one of the first Qatari girls to practice fencing and represent Qatar at the national level.
Despite facing societal challenges as a girl involved in a sport considered unconventional for women, Ghoroor found unwavering support from her family and community, helping her break through barriers. “I hope to inspire future girls to pursue unique sports and excel in them, despite societal challenges,” she added.
Ghoroor believes that fencing imparts valuable life skills like quick thinking, planning, and preparation—lessons she thinks are vital for personal growth. She also pointed out that the sport’s costume style aligns with cultural traditions, making it accessible and comfortable for women in Qatar and the region to participate.
A graduate of Cornell University in New York and Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Ghoroor has committed herself to health and wellness, launching her platform NutritionByGhuroor to share nutrition knowledge with the community. In 2024, she was selected for the US Department of State’s Global Sports Mentoring Program, further emphasising her commitment to empowering the next generation of female athletes.
Speaking about women’s interest in sports in Qatar, she said the ‘narrative’ has changed, especially after Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup, compared to about 10 years ago.
“At present it’s normal to practice a unique sport or a competitive activity that you enjoy, whether it’s competing with friends, or as part of a larger community, such as representing Qatar on national teams. There has been a significant shift for Qatari girls and women in sports. From my experience, I can see that this is their era to lead in the field,” said Ghoroor.
She emphasised that Qatar Foundation offers numerous opportunities for women to excel in sports, particularly through specially designed programmes and by designating the Education City Stadium for women’s sports. She also expressed her hopes for an academy that would allow women to continue their education while pursuing sports.
