A group of Afghan refugee players participated last month in the first of three global talent identification camps in Sydney as part of the efforts to build a women’s team of 23 players this year for friendly internationals, said World Football Body Fifa on Friday.
Many players from the national team of the women fled the country for fear of persecution after the Taliban had taken over control of the government in 2021 and they fought for their right to play internationally again after they are excluded from the qualifying halls of the World Cup.
The Afghan football federation controlled by Taliban has prohibited women’s sports and crushed the dreams of the team that require recognition by a national federation to compete internationally.
The Taliban say that they respect the rights of women in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic law and local customs and that internal matters must be tackled locally.
However, there was a spark of hope in May, after FIFA had approved the establishment of an Afghan refugee team for women and called Pauline Hamill as a coach, with the former Scotland International giving the first talent camp of the team from 23 to 29 July in Sydney.
«It’s great to have the players here,» the 53-year-old Hamill told the FIFA website.
Pauline Hamill was appointed coach of the Afghan women’s refugee team in May. | Photocredit: Gianni Infantino/Instagram
Pauline Hamill was appointed coach of the Afghan women’s refugee team in May. | Photocredit: Gianni Infantino/Instagram
“Now we have the opportunity to work with them and try to evaluate their performance, and they can all come together again in an environment where they always wanted to be part of.
«I think it’s an incredible project. It gave the players the opportunity to play and play again. I think they will create memories that they would otherwise not have created, and making memories with your team is really special.»
FIFA is hopeful that players from the tests can participate in approved friendly competitions later this year, so that Afghan women’s football will be returned to the international stage.
It said that it would also offer equipment and help them build connections with local clubs and gain access to counseling, media and social media training and to identify potential educational paths and opportunities within sport.
«I am convinced that we have taken an important step in the right direction by offering these women the opportunity to play internationally while giving priority to their safety and well-being,» said Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
«We are proud of this to bring this pilot project to life, and our goal is to expand it in the future to also take women from other countries.»
Nilab, one of the players in July, said that football helped her a lot.
«My goal is not just about me,» Nilab said. «It’s about all Afghanistan, especially women and girls. This project helps and supports me and teaches us how to help each other and how we can represent Afghanistan.»
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