LIBYA - Intisar Shanib, Member of Parliament for Derna and Chairperson of the Women and Child Affairs Committee inside Libya’s House of Representatives, made headlines as the first woman to be appointed as president of Darnes Sports Club in eastern Libyan City Derna.
Mohamed Abdel-Aty, acting president of the club’s general assembly, said Shanib would take over the role unopposed after three rival candidates withdrew their nominations.
He explained that the decision reflected Shanib’s leadership experience, public position, and ability to connect with people and mobilize resources.
The club’s next phase is expected to focus on expanding investment opportunities, improving long-term financial stability, and supporting youth development programs.
Shanib’s connection to Darnes Sports Club goes back to her childhood, as both her brother and uncle played for the club. Reflecting on the significance of her appointment, Shanib described the role as “an honor for me and an honor for any Libyan woman who holds this position".
She also expressed her ambition to prove that Libyan women can contribute meaningfully to sports leadership, saying: “I want to prove that Libyan women are capable of offering something, especially to the fans of Darnes Club".
Despite being the first woman to hold this position at the club, Shanib emphasized that leadership should not be judged by gender. “Leadership isn’t judged by whether a woman or a man leads, but by skills and capabilities,” she said.
Founded in 1958 in the coastal city of Derna, Darnes Sports Club is known in Libyan sports circles as “The Elegant,” a nickname linked to the aesthetic performance of its players. In recent years, however, the club has faced major setbacks, including internal and external debts, the impact of armed conflict, and the consequences of Storm Daniel, which struck Derna in September 2023, killing thousands and causing widespread destruction to infrastructure.
Shanib is not the first Arab woman to hold such a title, in June 2023, Hanan Al-Qurashi was the first woman in Saudi Arabia to become president of the Taif-based Wej sport club.
Across the African continent, women’s leadership in football and sports administration is also not new. In Uganda, for example, Anisha Muhoozi has served as CEO of Kampala Capital City Authority Football Club since 2018, one of the country’s most successful clubs.
