Intisar Shanib to lead Darnes SC as Libya’s first female club president

Intisar Shanib has been selected to lead Darnes Sports Club in Derna, becoming the first woman to head a sports club in Libya. Club officials said on June 2, 2026, that three rival candidates withdrew, leaving Shanib as the sole contender. The club expects her to be installed unopposed within the next two weeks following endorsement by the general assembly. The move comes as Darnes seeks stability, investment and a stronger youth pathway during a rebuilding period.

Shanib is a Member of Parliament for Derna and chairs the women and child affairs committee in Libya’s House of Representatives. The acting president of Darnes’ general assembly, Mohamed Abdel-Aty, cited her wide-ranging connections as a key asset for the club’s future and highlighted a plan centered on investment development and the academy. Club figures view her leadership as a chance to professionalize operations and attract resources as the team navigates financial and logistical pressures.

Darnes faces significant headwinds. Officials and club figures have pointed to internal and external debts, as well as damage sustained during fighting with armed groups and from Storm Daniel in September 2023, which caused widespread destruction in Derna. Shanib is expected to prioritize financial restructuring and infrastructure repairs while keeping competitive football activities running.

Founded in 1958, Darnes is a mainstay of eastern Libyan football. Known locally as “The Elegant” for the aesthetic style associated with its teams, the club underwent periods of renaming and a past merger with a side known as Al-Afriqi before reverting to its historical identity after 2011. Its base in the coastal city of Derna gives Darnes both a strong local following and an important symbolic role as the city continues recovery efforts.

Darnes’ priorities under new leadership

Financial restructuring and facilities

Club leaders have framed investment projects as crucial to reducing reliance on ad hoc funding and servicing debt. Officials said the new administration aims to repair damaged venues, ensure safe training environments and restore basic infrastructure so teams can prepare and compete without disruption.

Youth development and investment

Emphasis on the youth pathway is expected to be central, with the objective of sustaining Darnes competitively while rebuilding facilities. Shanib’s parliamentary role and local profile could help unlock partnerships and administrative support for these goals, according to club officials.

Women in football leadership

Regional and international examples

Shanib’s rise aligns with a gradual increase in women holding leadership roles in football. In Saudi Arabia, Hanan Al-Qurashi became the first woman to preside over Taif-based Wej Club in June 2023 before a change in leadership the following year. In Uganda, Anisha Muhoozi has served as CEO of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) since 2018, guiding one of the country’s most successful clubs.

In Kenya, Doris Petra was the first woman to serve as deputy president of the national football federation between 2021 and 2025. From Comoros, Kanizat Ibrahim joined the Confederation of African Football’s executive committee in 2021, later serving as CAF’s fifth vice president and now sitting on FIFA’s Council. In Italy, Claudia Rizzo drew attention as one of the few female presidents in the professional ranks when she took charge of Ternana Calcio in Serie C in September last year.

The formal installation process will be the first milestone to watch. After that, attention will turn to how quickly Darnes implements investment plans, addresses debts and restores facilities while keeping results on the pitch competitive.