The closure came after a video was circulated on social media.
A Saudi women’s gym has been closed by the country’s sports authority over the posting of a video deemed offensive.
The clip, shared by controversial Kuwaiti TV host Halema Boland on Friday, showed a woman working out in leggings and a singlet, The National reports.
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The woman, who was employed as a trainer at the gym, is described by Boland as a Tunisian kickboxer in the video.
“The gym had its licence suspended over a deceitful video that circulated on social media promoting the gym disgracefully and breaching the kingdom’s code of conduct,” Turki Bin Abd Al Mohsen, chairman of the Saudi General Sports Authority, said in a statement.
“The General Sports Authority asserts that it will put an end to such misdemeanours that deem offensive to society. All such irresponsible people will be under pursuit.”
The authority suspended the gym’s license and initiated legal proceedings, The National reports. Further, the woman in the video has lost her job.
Social change has come to Saudi Arabia under the kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for its post-oil economy. However, Princess Reema bint Bandar says there are still differing expectations among Saudis as to what forms that change should take.
The initiative, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to make Saudi a more modern, tourist-friendly destination.
Under the plans, King Salman issued a historic royal decree in September, allowing females the right to lawfully gain driving licences in the kingdom from June 2018.
Women will be able to attend sports events in stadiums in three cities from this year, and female students in the kingdom are now allowed to carry their phones while on campus.
Additionally, more Saudi females have been appointed to top jobs, a royal directive allowed women to use certain government services without a male guardian’s consent, and recent approval was issued for the go-ahead of women’s gyms.
Images: Getty
