Naomh Alee Riyadh GAA
Naomh Alee Riyadh GAA has carried Gaelic games into the heart of Saudi Arabia since 1994. Recognised as the longest-established affiliated GAA club in the Middle East, it brings together men, women and young players from Irish and international backgrounds in Riyadh.
Gaelic Games in Riyadh Since 1994
Naomh Alee was formed in Riyadh in 1994, becoming an early pioneer of organised Gaelic games in the Arabian Peninsula. The club was initially built around hurling and camogie before Gaelic football grew as the expatriate community in Saudi Arabia expanded.
Player numbers became difficult during the early 2000s, but the club survived and returned strongly to competition during the 2010/11 season. It developed men’s and women’s football teams while continuing to promote Gaelic games within Riyadh and across Saudi Arabia.
A Pioneer of the Regional Game
Naomh Alee competes within Middle East GAA, travelling across the Gulf for league and championship tournaments. The club also took part in the inaugural GAA World Games in 2015, joining teams from around the world in an important celebration of the international game.
The 2025/26 season brought further progress. The senior men collected silverware in regional competition, while the senior women earned promotion and another Middle East League title after reaching the final in all three league tournaments.
A Club for Riyadh’s International Community
The Naomh Alee academy was established in 2013 to introduce younger players to Gaelic games. Its sessions have welcomed children of many nationalities, making the club a meeting point for Irish culture and Riyadh’s wider international community.
Development reaches beyond the capital as well. Naomh Alee has supported domestic competitions and emerging Gaelic games groups elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, helping create opportunities for new players to learn football and hurling.
A Presidential Visit
During its 21st-anniversary year in 2015, Naomh Alee welcomed GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail to Saudi Arabia. It was the first visit by a serving GAA president to the country and recognised the work being done to sustain and grow Gaelic games in Riyadh.
The club’s name begins with the Irish word Naomh, meaning “saint”. Use the full name Naomh Alee Riyadh GAA when searching for the club, as it clearly distinguishes the Saudi Arabian side.
Green, White and Blue
Green and white are prominent in Naomh Alee’s modern jersey identity, while blue has also featured across club kits and historic team imagery. Designs can celebrate both the club’s Irish sporting roots and its distinctive home in Saudi Arabia.
This FanFile covers Naomh Alee Riyadh rather than one particular jersey. Colours, sponsors, crests and patterns can change between seasons and special editions, so check the manufacturer label and product details on your own shirt to identify it.
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