Jordan's Prince Feisal thinks softball has the power to advance women's rights in the Middle East. The 45-year-old royal - who is the younger brother of King Abdullah - has spoken out in favor of including the sport in the 2016 Olympics, after it was dropped after the 2008 Games.

Feisal thinks the ball game should be reinstated as an official Olympic Sport because it promotes equality of the sexes.

He explained: "I came across a woman recently from the United Arab Emirates, in her late 40s, who told me that by playing softball it was the first time she had been on a playing pitch with men."

"It is a sport that is extremely inclusive where anyone of any age can play and there is no dress code. It is neither elitist and has a good grass roots support. With regard to cultural sensitivities it is an ideal game. The sport seems to have outstanding appeal."

"Yes, it could advance those women's rights. In a more general sense, it is a sport that genuinely brings adults and children together and for the Middle East that is a case of breaking down barriers, which is rare for a sport but this one achieves that."

The International Olympic Committee Executive Board is meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, this week to decide which sports will be included in future Games.

Softball, rugby union, golf, baseball, rollersports and squash all competing for two spots on the list of official sports.

The final decision is likely to be announced at the Athletics World Championships in Berlin in August.