Intisar Shanib Becomes First Woman to Lead Libyan Football Club

Intisar Shanib has now been appointed as president of Darnes Sports Club, which makes her the first woman to lead a football club in Libya. The appointment marks a significant development in Libyan sports administration, with Shanib set to take charge of one of the country's well-known football institutions based in the eastern city of Derna.

Moamed Abdel-Aty, the acting president of the club’s general assembly, said “Shanib is going to take over the role unopposed after three other rival candidates decided to withdraw their nominations”. In other words, her path is being prepared so the process can be finalized during the coming weeks, with fewer complications than anyone might have expected.

Shanib is a Member of Parliament for Derna and she also works as Chairperson of the Women and Child Affairs Committee inside Libya’s House of Representatives. Abdel-Aty said the support for her was not random, but tied to what she can do through her professional circle, her leadership track record, and the way she can connect people and resources.

“Our endorsement of  Shanib did not come out of nowhere, but rather to benefit from her strong connections that can contribute to advancing the club, Abdel-Aty stated. He also pointed out that the club is focusing on expanding investment opportunities, improving long-term financial stability, and backing youth development programmes, all at the same time.

Key Highlights

• First woman appointed to lead a football club in Libya.
• Rival candidates withdrew, leaving Shanib as sole contender.
• Focus on investments, finances, and youth football development.

Commenting on her appointment, Shanib acknowledged the challenges ahead. “The task is not easy, but it is an honor for me and an honor for any Libyan woman that a woman holds this position,” she said. She also stated, “I want to prove that Libyan women are capable of offering something, especially to the fans of Darnes Club.”

Founded in 1958, Darnes Sports Club is one of Derna’s old football institutions, sort of. It’s been known in Libyan sports circles as “The Elegant”. Over the years the club went through a bunch of internal rearrangements too, including a merger with another club, Al-Afriqi, and later it came back to its historic name after 2011. 

Shanib also pointed out that her link to the club stretches back to her childhood, with both her brother and her uncle having played for Darnes, earlier. She said the effort to rebuild the club will not belong to only one group; it will be shared between management, supporters, and the broader community as well. 

When asked about worries tied to women taking leadership roles in sport, Shanib replied that, “Leadership isn’t judged by whether a woman or a man leads, but by skills and usable capabilities.” 

Shanib said the club’s immediate priorities include addressing accumulated internal and external debts, improving organizational stability, and supporting long-term development efforts. Darnes Sports Club has faced multiple challenges in recent years, including the impact of armed conflict in the region and the aftermath of Storm Daniel, which struck Derna in September 2023 and caused extensive loss of life, and infrastructure damage across the city.

As Shanib prepares to lead Darnes Sports Club, her focus will be on strengthening the club’s finances, supporting youth development, and guiding its recovery following years of operational and regional challenges.