Persevering amidst turbulence, Afghan female refugees discover liberation and expression through their passion for soccer

Football Offers Hope for Afghan Refugee Team

In a significant development, an ID camp for an Afghan refugee team was held at St George's Park in England this week. The camp, part of FIFA's efforts to build a 23-player squad for international friendly tournaments, has brought hope to a group of young women who have faced immense challenges.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino called the initiative an "important step in the right direction." The camp's leader, coach Pauline Hamill, finds coaching the team an opportunity to make a difference and give the players an amazing football experience.

One of the standout players at the camp is Elaha Safdari, a goalkeeper for Afghanistan's women's football team. Safdari was forced to flee Kabul during the Taliban takeover in 2021, leaving behind her dreams of playing internationally.

Safdari clutches a goalkeeping trophy and an Afghan shirt, treasures her parents managed to ship to her. These items serve as a reminder of her homeland and the dreams she left behind. Safdari views playing football as representing all the women and girls told to be silent in Afghanistan. Every time she plays, she is playing for all those women who can't even go for a walk.

Defender Najma Arefi, who was 18 when she fled Kabul, shares similar sentiments. Arefi hopes to become a human rights lawyer, using her experiences to fight for the rights of others. Both Safdari and Arefi found safety in Doncaster, England, and football has provided strength and solace for both.

The Afghan refugee team aims to use football as a platform to represent the girls in Afghanistan who cannot play due to Taliban restrictions. Safdari expressed that she was close to her dream of playing internationally, but the Taliban took it away from her. Defender Arefi stated that Afghan women will not stop fighting for full international status.

Neither Safdari nor Arefi spoke English when they arrived in England. Coach Hamill, a former Scottish footballer and coach, is deeply moved by the players' stories and wants to support them in their journey. The team's goal is bigger than just participating in friendly tournaments. They aim to be recognised and play on the international stage as a team in exile.

This story is a testament to the power of football to bring hope and change lives. Despite the challenges they face, the Afghan refugee team remains determined to use their passion for the game to make a difference. Their journey is a reminder that football is more than just a sport - it's a platform for change, unity, and hope.

Persevering amidst turbulence, Afghan female refugees discover liberation and expression through their passion for soccer