Fencing for Balance: A Saudi Athlete in a Nation Finding Its Footing

As Saudi Arabia turns to sport as a tool for social, cultural, and even diplomatic change, Suha Alosaimi belongs to a generation shaping its meaning from within. Her path into the Saudi Olympic Committee began not with ambition, but with affinity — a quiet commitment to fencing, a sport that taught her balance, focus, and how to steady her breathing when life accelerates.

She entered the organisation through an administrative role, unaware that it would become a calling. A trial contract led her into the International Relations Department and soon to her first major assignment: the Islamic Solidarity Games. For three weeks, she slept no more than four hours a night, navigating logistical crises that never appear on a résumé. When a referee arrived at 3 a.m. without a hotel booking, Suha gave up her own room.

“This is what I like about my job,” she says. “I can do.”

Outside her professional responsibilities, she pursued diplomacy courses in Riyadh to deepen her understanding of politics, economics, and international affairs. A master’s degree remains a goal, though not an urgent one. In the meantime, she fences — not competitively alone, but as a form of mental clarity. The sport, she says, has strengthened her posture and her mental health, both literally and figuratively.

Q: Saudi Arabia Has Made Sport a National Priority, From Grassroots Initiatives to Major International Events. Why Is the Kingdom Investing So Heavily in This Area?

A: Sport is one of the healthiest investments a country can make — not just in terms of medals, but in shaping culture, the economy, and international perception. Every country invests in itself, of course, but what is interesting about Saudi Arabia is how sport is being used strategically.

When people come here for international events, they often arrive with assumptions shaped by headlines or films. They do not expect to meet Saudis who are disciplined, welcoming, and curious about the world. Sport changes that perception quietly but effectively. It allows for interaction without speeches or formal diplomacy, and people leave with a different understanding of the country than they had before.

By treating sport as a lens into society, Saudi Arabia is not only building infrastructure but reshaping its global image — a subtle form of influence that extends well beyond stadiums and arenas.

Q: Has Saudi Arabia Achieved Its Goals Yet, or Is There Still Work to Be Done?

A: There is always work to be done, but the pace of progress in recent years has been remarkable. Development has accelerated in areas where we were previously behind, especially for women. Five years ago, opportunities to drive, participate in sport, or enter certain industries were limited. Today, Saudi Arabia is catching up at a speed that surprises even neighbouring countries.

Sport consistently produces positive outcomes. It channels energy, builds discipline, and teaches patience. Before structured sports were widely accessible, some young men turned to risky activities such as car drifting or reckless stunts. Now, that energy can be directed into football, basketball, fencing, swimming, or gymnastics.

Each sport carries its own lessons. A gymnast develops flexibility and patience, a swimmer endurance and precision, and a fencer strategic thinking and composure. This transformation in sport reflects a broader social recalibration — one in which ambition is channelled more safely, collaboration is encouraged, and the balance between individual drive and collective responsibility is slowly taking shape.

Q: How Did You Personally Come to Fencing, and What Keeps You Committed to It?

A: Fencing is rare in Saudi Arabia, so choosing it was deliberate. I was drawn to the mental and physical challenge. If a month passes without practice, I feel as though something essential is missing from my life.

Fencing teaches balance, timing, and control, but also self-awareness. You learn how to react under pressure, to trust your instincts, and to anticipate what is coming. It has taught me about my strengths and my limits.

I hope to become a certified coach within the next four years. One challenge in our sports culture is that athletes are not always supported as future mentors. Too often, people leave the field once they retire and their knowledge disappears. I have experienced coaching that lacked proper guidance, and that made me realise how important it is to build local expertise — not only athletes, but trainers and leaders as well.

Q: How Well Are Saudi Athletes Supported in Developing Their Skills and Long-Term Careers?

A: There has been clear progress. At the Olympic Committee, programs now encourage athletes to invest in themselves not only as competitors, but as professionals who can become coaches, trainers, or advisors. The idea is to build a career in sport that extends beyond active competition.

Saudi Arabia has identified many young talents through initiatives such as the Saudi Games and school-level programs. These provide access to training, competition, and international exposure. Still, the culture must continue to evolve. Sport should be viewed as a lifelong profession, not a temporary pursuit.

What is emerging is a shift from short-term achievement to long-term development — an understanding that a sustainable sports culture depends on pathways, institutions, and mentorship, not medals alone.

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