SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Reuters – Khartoum’s Equestrian Club struggles amid Sudan upheaval

9/8/19: Reuters – Khartoum’s Equestrian Club struggles amid Sudan upheaval

 Reuters feature piece explores the changing fortunes of Khartoum’s Equestrian and Racing Club, which has had to cut back activities since the uprising, and “dampened” higher society life.

 Rafat Awad, the club’s treasurer said, “the main problem is that people don’t have enough cash (for the club), they’re keeping it to live on, not to bring children to ride horses.”

 Awad added that, with people dying in Sudan, “you can’t just go and race. Some people are sad, some are angry, some still waging revolution, so we found it wasn’t right to stage competitions.”

 Despite a “modest” resurgence following the political transition deal, Reuters highlights female club members describing social disapproval of women participating in sport.

 Einas, 18, said that racing is considered a man’s sport with women often practicing show-jumping. Sagda, 18, noted those who disapprove of women in the tight-fitting equestrian garb.