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Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has announced the launch of its “She’s Next in Football” program in Saudi Arabia. Building on the success of the She’s Next programs in fashion and gaming in the Kingdom, this initiative is designed to empower and support women footballers in the Kingdom through mentorship, training, and exclusive opportunities with world-class football experts. In partnership with Saudi Awwal Bank and AC Milan Women, this program provides female athletes with a platform to develop their skills, gain mentorship, and experience world-class football training.

Women football players in Saudi Arabia are invited to apply for She’s Next in Football by completing and submitting the form available on Visa’s website, until May 5.

The finalists will be announced on May 21, and will participate in a training camp in Riyadh, where they will receive expert training and a certificate signed by Elisabet Spina, head of women’s football, AC Milan, and Suzanne Bakker, women’s coach, AC Milan. They will also have the unique opportunity to train with Farah Jefry, a distinguished Saudi footballer and midfielder for Al-Ittihad Women’s Football Club in Jeddah, who serves as the program’s brand ambassador.

In addition, the winner of the program will travel to Milan and enjoy a “Training with the PRO” two-week experience at the Puma House of Football, home to the women’s team’s training center, where they will train with professional athletes and coaches. The runner-up will receive a VIP visit to AC Milan’s training facilities, gaining behind-the-scenes access to one of football’s most renowned development programs.

Ali Bailoun, Visa’s regional general manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, said: “Women are driving change across industries, sports, and business, shaping the future through their contributions. As women’s football continues to grow, new pathways are opening for female athletes to access professional training, resources, and career development. As one of the world’s most active sponsors of women’s football, Visa is committed to strengthening the sport’s ecosystem at every level. By partnering with AC Milan Women and SAB, we are contributing to the long-term development of women’s football in the Kingdom. Investing in women’s sports is an investment in inclusion and economic empowerment, ensuring female athletes receive the recognition and opportunities they deserve.”

Rania Alsharyoufi, chief human resources officer, SAB, said: “At SAB, we believe in the power of sports as a driver for empowerment, inclusion, and long-term growth. Our partnership with Visa and AC Milan Women in the She’s Next Football program reflects our commitment to fostering opportunities for women in Saudi Arabia, helping them reach their full potential on and off the field. By supporting initiatives that promote skills, mentorship, and visibility, we are proud to contribute to a more inclusive and dynamic future for women’s football in the Kingdom.”

Spina, AC Milan’s head of women’s football, added: “At AC Milan, we are deeply committed to fostering the growth of women’s football worldwide, and we are proud to be part of the She’s Next in Football initiative. As a club with a rich history in developing and promoting the women’s game, we believe in the power of football to inspire and empower.

“This program represents a unique opportunity to support the next generation of female footballers in Saudi Arabia, providing them with world-class training, mentorship, and a pathway to grow in the sport.”

Jefry said: “I’m genuinely energized by this initiative and the remarkable opportunity it presents to ignite the passion of aspiring football players, empowering them to reach new heights in their athletic journey.”

The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association, the voice of the chemical industry in the Gulf region, will explore the role of innovation in driving value creation and growth at the 14th GPCA Plastics Conference taking place on April 20-21 at JW Marriott Hotel, Riyadh.

Innovation is a driving force behind value creation in the GCC plastic industry, contributing to sustainability, economic growth, and technological advancements. Accelerating innovation plays a crucial role across product design, business models, and resource management, and can support efforts to achieve a circular economy in the GCC. Continuous innovation in polymer production and conversion technologies has enabled the GCC region to maintain a competitive edge in the global market. This includes advancements in recycling technologies and the development of new, sustainable materials.

Opportunities exist to leverage innovation for more sustainable production and economic growth. Research estimates say that every 1 million tonnes of recycled plastic produced in the GCC region can generate approximately 1,500 jobs and $650 million in direct GDP impact.

According to another study, advancements in chemical recycling technologies can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50 percent compared to traditional plastic production methods. The 14th GPCA Plastics Conference will provide an ideal platform to spotlight innovations in plastics recycling and discuss the role of regulations in creating an enabling environment for growth.

Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, secretary-general of GPCA, said: “In the pursuit of the next paradigm of plastics growth, fostering innovation and collaboration will be essential to address the sustainability challenges of our time, while meeting the demand for sustainable plastics and ensuring socioeconomic growth. By fostering cutting-edge advancements and sustainable practices, we can enhance the plastic industry’s position as a dynamic driver of economic growth and environmental stewardship. The 14th GPCA Plastics Conference will serve as a beacon for visionary leaders and innovators from across the region and the world to collaborate and redefine the future of plastics for generations to come.”

Held under the theme “The Next Growth Paradigm: Value Creation through Innovation,” the conference will open with a welcome address by Khalfan Al-Muhairi, SVP regional MEAE, Borouge and vice chairman, plastics committee, GPCA, followed by a ministerial address outlining regional policy priorities.

Deena F. Al-Khayyal, managing director, LyondellBasell, will deliver a keynote address on “The Future of Plastics: Trends and Disruptions Shaping the Regional Industry.” A leadership dialogue moderated by Steve Jenkins, vice president, chemicals consulting, Wood Mackenzie, will explore “The Business Case for Sustainability: Turning Plastics Innovation into Profit.” The session will discuss how investing in green technologies, materials, and processes can be profitable in the long run and drive shareholder value, featuring insights from Khalid Al-Dawood, MD, NATPET; Unmesh Nayak, president — polymer chain, Reliance Industries, and Dr. Apostolos Krallis, vice president, innovation center, Borouge.

The program will continue with an in-depth panel discussion on “Building Sustainable Value — Innovation and Investment in Plastics Ecosystems,” which will highlight how seamlessly integrated ecosystems in production, feedstock, and logistics are crucial for driving innovation and value creation. The discussion will bring together senior industry executives, including Faisal Alsolami, executive vice president, finance and strategic planning, SIRC, and Dimitri Van Eekelen, vice president — commercial, SOHAR Ports and Freezone, to examine investment trends and new growth pathways. Another key session, “Turning Low-Value Plastic Waste into High-Impact Solutions,” will address the technical and economic challenges of collecting and processing lower-value plastic waste, featuring Don Thomson, founder and CEO, CRDC Global, and Peter Wang Hjemdahl, chief innovation officer and founder, rePurpose Global.

The afternoon sessions will advance the circularity agenda through a series of case studies, covering topics such as science-driven materials innovation, product design for a leaner plastics footprint, advanced recycling technologies, and consumer behavior change programs.

On Day 2, Naser Aldousari, CEO, EQUATE Group and Chairman, plastics committee, GPCA, will deliver the opening address. A multi-stakeholder dialogue will further explore regulatory trends shaping plastics waste management, focusing on policy innovations accelerating circularity, extended producer responsibility implementation, and the role of industry in compliance and sustainability progress. The discussion will be moderated by Noor Balfaqeeh, head of corporate affairs and communications, Unilever and chair, National Circular Packaging Private Committee — Federation of Saudi Chambers, who will be joined by senior policymakers and industry executives.