womanthismonth.com | AUGUST 2026 SPORTS 112 Changing the Game Sporsista is making sport more accessible for women in Bahrain by creating a welcoming community where women feel confident getting active. When CEO and Co-founder Maram Hakeem and Co-founder Bayan Hakeem launched Sporsista, they were not trying to build another sports academy. They wanted to solve a problem they had experienced themselves: finding people to play sport in a relaxed, welcoming environment without the pressure of competition. “We wanted to play sports for fun, but it was difficult to find enough people to play with, especially in a comfortable and private environment for women,” they explain. “We also weren’t looking for the structure or commitment of sports academies, we simply wanted casual games where anyone could join.” As they spoke with more women across Bahrain, they realised the challenge was widely shared. That insight became the foundation for Sporsista, a community designed to make sport more accessible and enjoyable. As the platform has grown, the founders say their most important decision has not been expanding the number of activities but protecting the culture they set out to create. They wanted women to associate Sporsista with a sense of belonging rather than performance. “We never wanted Sporsista to be known only for sports, we wanted it to be known for how it makes women feel,” they say. “Women know they’ll be welcomed and respected.” That trust is reflected in mothers confidently allowing their daughters to join adventure trips and activities, as well as newcomers who arrive believing they are “not sporty enough” before discovering a supportive community. The founders have also learned that facilities alone are not enough to encourage participation. While Bahrain offers excellent sporting venues, they believe community is often the deciding factor. “People are much more likely to try something new when they know they’ll be surrounded by friendly, encouraging people rather than feeling pressured to perform,” they explain. This philosophy shapes every aspect of Sporsista’s programme. Activities range from badminton and basketball to cycling, kayaking and adventure experiences, with many new ideas suggested directly by members of the community. Women’s sport in Bahrain has gathered significant momentum in recent years, something the founders welcome. However, they believe the greatest opportunity lies in creating more opportunities for women to participate recreationally. “Not everyone wants to join a league or train professionally,” they note. “Many simply want sports to be an enjoyable part of their lifestyle.” Looking ahead, the founders hope to create a dedicated Sporsista Hub bringing multiple sports facilities together in one purpose-built space designed around the needs of their community. That impact is already evident. In just two years, Sporsista has organised more than 500 activities involving over 7,000 participants. For the founders, the numbers only tell part of the story. “Seeing women make lifelong friendships, discover a sport they never imagined they’d enjoy, or tell us that Sporsista helped them become more confident and active reminds us why we started in the first place.” sporsista
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