JEDDAH – Saudia Cargo has signed a sponsorship agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s first female, accredited rally driver at Rally Dakar, Mashael AlObaidan, as part of the company’s continuous contributions to the Kingdom’s various entertainment and sporting events.
She is the first Saudi and Arab female to obtain a rally license in Saudi Arabia. Soon after becoming the first female licensed rally driver in KSA, Mashael placed 1st in the T3 category at Sharqiyah Rally and 5th overall out of 19 racers.
To sponsor Mashael AlObaidan was greatly welcomed by Saudia Cargo CEO Teddy Zebitz, who believes this step will support Saudis and enhance their performance in worldwide sporting tournaments while presenting the image of the empowered Saudi woman who proudly achieves successful national milestones with remarkable outcomes.
“We realize the importance of all events hosted by the Kingdom and the active role we play by utilizing our capacities and logistics services to ensure the success of such premium and challenging races,” Teddy Zebitz stated. “It is important to recognize the shared values and attributes between rally drivers and Saudia Cargo, where both face challenging routes, undergo long-haul races, and recognize the necessity of overcoming obstacles with great elegance under pressure.
This requires agility, flexibility and unwavering resilience and commitment. These are the qualities and standards that drives us daily, as we deliver our services around the world. Clearly, the common values between Saudia Cargo – that exists to serve our global community – and rally driver Mashael AlObaidan are distinctly recognizable.”
With pride, Mashael stated, “It is an honor to participate in one of the toughest rallies in the world, with Saudia Cargo as a partner. Thanks to Saudia Cargo’s sponsorship, I have reached a major milestone in my career. This is an exciting time for me on several levels, primarily as having the opportunity to represent my country, and to honor the tenets of Vision 2030 in progressing the Kingdom forward.”
Mashael AlObaidan became the first Arab female driver from GCC to take part in the international Rally Dakar following her participation in the Spanish Baja Aragon Rally – the fifth stage of the World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas organized by FIA. Mashael also managed to finish second in the T3 category of the Hail International Rally in Saudi Arabia – the final round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies – making her way through as the first Arab female rally driver to win a title in this race.