Afghan Women Footballers Train in Australia After Fleeing Taliban Rule
2 years, 7 months ago

Afghan Women Footballers Train in Australia After Fleeing Taliban Rule

News 18  

Eight months after fleeing Kabul as the Taliban swept to power in Afghanistan, Farida trains at a suburban Melbourne pitch, dreaming of one day playing soccer for her country while lamenting the fate of fellow women players back home. “But in Afghanistan, after the Taliban took control, everything has been turned upside down.” Girls and women’s sport has been crushed by the Taliban government’s hardline policies. “There are no women’s rights in Afghanistan,” said Farida, who is studying at a local university and found work at a local telecommunications firm. I get text messages from them saying they want to get out of Afghanistan.” Melbourne Victory, four-times champions in Australia’s top-flight A-League, have shown their commitment to the squad by drafting in their successful professional women’s coach Jeff Hopkins to train them while providing support staff and physiotherapists.

Women Australia Afghanistan Taliban Train Reuters Melbourne Afghan Kabul Farida  australia  taliban  afghanistan  team  train  footballers  soccer  rule  told  local  afghan  fleeing  women  training  womens  melbourne

History of this topic

'Afghanistan needs educated women too': Top cricketers demand reversal of Taliban's ban on women education
Trending News
2 weeks, 5 days ago

'Afghanistan needs educated women too': Top cricketers demand reversal of Taliban's ban on women education

Firstpost  

The Taliban administration, earlier this week, banned women from pursuing nursing and midwifery courses. After they were barred from education beyond secondary school as part of restrictions labelled “gender apartheid” by the UN, women flocked to these health institutions, one of the only avenues left open for them A mother holds her child as she rests in her arms, while …

Afghanistan refugee women to feature in exhibition cricket match in Australia
1 month, 1 week ago

Afghanistan refugee women to feature in exhibition cricket match in Australia

The Hindu  

An Afghanistan Women’s XI will play an exhibition T20 match against Cricket Without Borders XI at the Junction Oval, Melbourne on January 30. The match will be facilitated by the Australian cricket community to help fulfill the ambition of the members of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team, who are now resident in Australia. This coincides with the start of the …

Afghanistan Women to play T20 match against Cricket Without Borders XI in January
1 month, 1 week ago

Afghanistan Women to play T20 match against Cricket Without Borders XI in January

India Today  

The Afghanistan women’s cricket team, now living as refugees in Australia, will reunite to play a T20 match against Cricket Without Borders XI in Melbourne on January 30. Earlier in 2023, 17 players from the Afghan women's team, previously contracted to play for Afghanistan, wrote to the International Cricket Council requesting assistance to form a refugee team. ICC Chief Executive …

How women’s football in Afghanistan redefined itself
1 month, 1 week ago

How women’s football in Afghanistan redefined itself

Live Mint  

One stifling afternoon in the early 2000s in Kabul, Afghanistan, violence came to the football haven Khalida Popal and her friends had conjured for themselves on the schoolground. It is just one of the harrowing pictures Popal paints in her recently released memoir, My Beautiful Sisters: A Story of Courage, Hope and the Afghan Women’s Football Team. View Full Image …

First Afghan woman to compete internationally after Taliban takeover seeks Olympic gold in Paris
4 months, 2 weeks ago

First Afghan woman to compete internationally after Taliban takeover seeks Olympic gold in Paris

Associated Press  

PARIS — Zakia Khudadadi has spent most of her life breaking through glass ceilings. I want to show strength to all women and girls in Afghanistan.” Khudadadi is competing for the Refugee Paralympic Team, while other athletes are seeking medals under Afghanistan’s flag, such as Olympic sprinter Kimia Yousofi. The International Paralympic Committee originally issued a statement saying the Afghan …

Afghanistan women want ICC to create refugee cricket team after Rashid Khan and Co. script history at T20 World Cup
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Afghanistan women want ICC to create refugee cricket team after Rashid Khan and Co. script history at T20 World Cup

Hindustan Times  

With Rashid Khan's Afghanistan side scripting history at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, a group of Afghan women’s cricketers have again reached out to the sport’s international governing body to help them reform as a refugee side based in Australia. The Afghanistan men’s team made it to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup for the first time in …

Afghan women cricketers seek ICC help to form refugee team
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Afghan women cricketers seek ICC help to form refugee team

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Afghan women cricketers have asked …

Afghan women cricketers ask for international support for a refugee team
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Afghan women cricketers ask for international support for a refugee team

Associated Press  

SYDNEY — A group of Afghan women’s cricketers has again approached the sport’s international governing body asking for backing to reform as a refugee team based in Australia. Many have continued playing in domestic competitions in Australia but haven’t had access to international cricket, despite ICC regulations requiring all test-playing members to support men’s and women’s national teams. Through this …

In Afghanistan’s fairytale, let’s not forget its women in exile
5 months, 3 weeks ago

In Afghanistan’s fairytale, let’s not forget its women in exile

Hindustan Times  

Bengaluru: The streets from Kabul to Kandahar and Khost were filled with men in celebration over the past week. The fairytale of the Afghanistan men’s cricket team, which saw them oust Australia from the T20 World Cup, ended with a nine-wicket defeat to South Africa in the semifinal. All of it stands starkly against the backdrop of one half of …

Australia pull out of cricket series against Afghanistan over women’s rights concerns
9 months ago

Australia pull out of cricket series against Afghanistan over women’s rights concerns

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our …

Women’s rights row hangs over Australia-Afghanistan Cricket World Cup match
1 year, 1 month ago

Women’s rights row hangs over Australia-Afghanistan Cricket World Cup match

Al Jazeera  

Afghanistan eye a semifinal place in a rare match against Australia, who have cancelled several bilateral fixtures over the Taliban’s policies on women. Why can’t we beat Australia who have won it the most times?” But there is an underlying political conundrum surrounding Afghanistan’s match against Australia, whose governing body has cancelled bilateral fixtures between the men’s side twice in …

Asian Games: Taliban send all-male team but Afghanistan women come from outside
1 year, 3 months ago

Asian Games: Taliban send all-male team but Afghanistan women come from outside

Firstpost  

Taliban have barred women from most areas of public life such as parks, gyms and work and cracked down on media freedoms. One, sent from Afghanistan where women are now banned by the Taliban from participating in sports, consists of about 130 all-male athletes, who will participate in 17 different sports, including volleyball, judo and wrestling, Atel Mashwani, a Taliban-appointed …

Taliban send all-male team to Asian Games but Afghan women come from outside
1 year, 3 months ago

Taliban send all-male team to Asian Games but Afghan women come from outside

Associated Press  

HANGZHOU, China — In the first Asian Games since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, two teams of athletes are arriving in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, looking very different. One, sent from Afghanistan where women are now banned by the Taliban from participating in sports, consists of about 130 all-male athletes, who will participate in 17 different sports, including …

Afghanistan’s female cricketers plead with the ICC: ‘Help us play again’
1 year, 3 months ago

Afghanistan’s female cricketers plead with the ICC: ‘Help us play again’

The Hindu  

Just over two years ago, Firooza Amiri was an 18-year-old batter for the Afghanistan women’s cricket team, ready to take on the world if given the chance. Similarly, the authority to field men’s and women’s national teams lies solely with the member board in any country, not with the ICC.” Amiri said the Afghan women’s team took heart from Australia’s …

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Afghan players watch Morocco’s team practice, hoping to get their chance
1 year, 5 months ago

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Afghan players watch Morocco’s team practice, hoping to get their chance

The Hindu  

Over the next month, 32 national football teams will compete across Australia and New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup. “This is a huge chance for the Moroccan team to show the world that Muslim women in every single country can participate,” Afghanistan’s Farida Mohammadi said. “We’re living in a modern era, and we don’t have to follow the old-school …

Afghan players watch Morocco’s team practice for Women’s World Cup, hoping to get their chance
1 year, 5 months ago

Afghan players watch Morocco’s team practice for Women’s World Cup, hoping to get their chance

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — Over the next month, 32 national soccer teams will compete across Australia and New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup. “This is a huge chance for the Moroccan team to show the world that Muslim women in every single country can participate,” said Afghan player Farida, who wanted to use one name. “We’re living in a modern …

Citing Taliban, Australia nixes Afghanistan cricket series
1 year, 11 months ago

Citing Taliban, Australia nixes Afghanistan cricket series

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — Afghanistan cricket officials blasted Australia’s decision on Thursday to cancel their men’s one-day international cricket series. Cricket Australia cited recent heavier restrictions on women’s rights in Afghanistan by the Taliban government for axing the three ODIs in March in the United Arab Emirates. The Afghanistan Cricket Board said it was “extremely disappointed and saddened by the pathetic …

Australia cancel Afghanistan tour due to Taliban restrictions on women’s rights
1 year, 11 months ago

Australia cancel Afghanistan tour due to Taliban restrictions on women’s rights

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our …

Afghan women athletes barred from play, fear Taliban threats
1 year, 11 months ago

Afghan women athletes barred from play, fear Taliban threats

Associated Press  

KABUL, Afghanistan — Noura’s determination to play sports was so great that she defied her family’s opposition for years. “Since the Taliban came, I feel like I’m dead.” A number of girls and women who once played a variety of sports told The Associated Press they have been intimidated by the Taliban with visits and phone calls warning them not …

Afghan women athletes barred from play, fear Taliban threats
1 year, 11 months ago

Afghan women athletes barred from play, fear Taliban threats

The Hindu  

Noura’s determination to play sports was so great that she defied her family’s opposition for years. “Since the Taliban came, I feel like I’m dead.” A number of girls and women who once played a variety of sports told The Associated Press they have been intimidated by the Taliban with visits and phone calls warning them not to engage in …

Afghan women athletes barred from playing sports, fear Taliban threats
1 year, 11 months ago

Afghan women athletes barred from playing sports, fear Taliban threats

India Today  

Noura’s determination to play sports was so great that she defied her family’s opposition for years. “Since the Taliban came, I feel like I’m dead.” A number of girls and women who once played a variety of sports told The Associated Press they have been intimidated by the Taliban with visits and phone calls warning them not to engage in …

Afghan Olympians resettle in Australia to start afresh
2 years, 4 months ago

Afghan Olympians resettle in Australia to start afresh

The Hindu  

Olympic sprinter Kimia Yousofi has arrived in Australia to start afresh just over a year after carrying the Afghan flag into the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games, competing in the 100-meters, and then having to watch from afar as the Taliban regained control of her country. The Australian Olympic Committee on Wednesday said Yousofi and Asian Games taekwondo medalist …

Afghan Olympians resettle in Australia to start afresh
2 years, 4 months ago

Afghan Olympians resettle in Australia to start afresh

Associated Press  

SYDNEY — Olympic sprinter Kimia Yousofi has arrived in Australia to start afresh just over a year after carrying the Afghan flag into the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games, competing in the 100-meters, and then having to watch from afar as the Taliban regained control of her country. The Australian Olympic Committee on Wednesday said Yousofi and Asian Games …

‘No domestic league, no women’s football, Afghanistan's future is uncertain’, says men's coach Anoush Dastgir
2 years, 6 months ago

‘No domestic league, no women’s football, Afghanistan's future is uncertain’, says men's coach Anoush Dastgir

Firstpost  

Kolkata: The images of the brawl between Indian and Afghanistan footballers during an AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers group match recently were no different from that of any other fight in a match that helps sell headlines and creates social media buzz. No Afghan Premier League — an eight-team league founded in 2010 — match has taken place since 2020, leaving …

Afghan Women Players Make Football Debut in Australia
2 years, 8 months ago

Afghan Women Players Make Football Debut in Australia

News 18  

Players from Afghanistan’s national women’s football team competed in a local league match in Australia on Sunday for the first time since fleeing the hardline Islamist Taliban. “We fled the country but we are still thinking of our country and we are still working for our victory for our country.” Australia helped dozens of Afghan national women’s team players and …

Four months on, Afghanistan's women's national team are finding family and freedom on Australia's pitches
2 years, 11 months ago

Four months on, Afghanistan's women's national team are finding family and freedom on Australia's pitches

ABC  

The heat sets in early – as it often does during Western Sydney summers. It's the final match day of the Afghan National Cup, a round-robin tournament run by the Australian Afghan Football Association in collaboration with local football organisations like Western Sydney Wanderers and Women Onside. It's also one of the first opportunities that several of Afghanistan's women's national …

Afghan women footballers: Safe and alive, but ‘traumatized,’ their future in the UK is still very uncertain
3 years ago

Afghan women footballers: Safe and alive, but ‘traumatized,’ their future in the UK is still very uncertain

CNN  

London CNN — They are safe and alive, and have the prospect of new lives in the United Kingdom, but for 130 Afghan female football players and their families it’s an existence still full of uncertainty. “These girls have no refugee status,” Popal, who lives in Denmark after she was forced to flee her home country in 2011 in fear …

Afghanistan women’s junior football team granted UK visas
3 years, 2 months ago

Afghanistan women’s junior football team granted UK visas

CNN  

CNN — Afghanistan’s women’s junior football team and their immediate families will be relocated to Britain from Pakistan “shortly” after being granted visas by the UK government. “We are working to finalise visas to the Afghan Women’s Development Team and look forward to welcoming them to the UK shortly,” a UK government spokesperson told CNN. On Saturday, former Afghanistan women’s …

Ban? No ban? Afghan cricket chief offers hope to women athletes
3 years, 2 months ago

Ban? No ban? Afghan cricket chief offers hope to women athletes

Al Jazeera  

Al Jazeera speaks to Afghanistan’s cricket chief on the future of female athletes in the country after the Taliban takeover. Al Jazeera spoke to the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s recently appointed Chairman Azizullah Fazli on the security situation, preparations for the World Cup and the future of women’s cricket in the country. Al Jazeera: There have been a lot of concerns …

Seven female Afghan taekwondo athletes resettle in Australia
3 years, 3 months ago

Seven female Afghan taekwondo athletes resettle in Australia

Firstpost  

One of the athletes, Fatima Ahmadi, was quoted as saying that she was grateful for the assistance of all parties who supported their evacuation. Melbourne: A sports association official says seven female taekwondo athletes who fled Taliban-controlled Afghanistan have resettled in Melbourne. Garriock said former Australia national football captain and humanitarian advocate Craig Foster worked with the Australian government, Australian …

Afghan female footballers evade Taliban, reach Pakistan
3 years, 3 months ago

Afghan female footballers evade Taliban, reach Pakistan

The Hindu  

Thirty-two women football players from Afghanistan, who were facing threats from the Taliban, have reached Pakistan along with their families after the government issued emergency humanitarian visas to evacuate them, according to a media report on Wednesday. The footballers belonging to the national junior girls' team had been originally due to travel to Qatar, where Afghan refugees have been housed …

Afghan female youth football players reach Pakistan
3 years, 3 months ago

Afghan female youth football players reach Pakistan

The Hindu  

Players from Afghanistan's female youth football teams have arrived in Pakistan and will seek political asylum in third countries amid concern over the status of female athletes under the new Taliban government in Kabul. Some 81 people, including female players of several youth teams, their coaches and family members reached Pakistan through the Torkham border crossing, Umar Zia, a senior …

Taliban will allow hundreds of sports – provided you're a man
3 years, 3 months ago

Taliban will allow hundreds of sports – provided you're a man

Firstpost  

Last week, the deputy head of the Taliban’s cultural commission, Ahmadullah Wasiq, said that it was “not necessary” for women to play sport. Kabul: From swimming to soccer, running to horse riding, Afghanistan’s new sports chief said Tuesday that the Taliban will allow 400 sports – but declined to confirm if women can play a single one. “Please don’t ask …

Taliban has banned women's sports in Afghanistan: Report
3 years, 3 months ago

Taliban has banned women's sports in Afghanistan: Report

India TV News  

Australia's SBS TV has quoted a Taliban spokesperson as saying that women's sports — and women's cricket specifically — will be banned by his group in Afghanistan. Islam does not allow women to be seen like this," the network quoted Ahmadullah Wasiq, the deputy head of the Taliban's cultural commission, as saying. Players from Afghanistan's women's soccer team are among …

Afghanistan women to be banned from playing sports, says Taliban
3 years, 3 months ago

Afghanistan women to be banned from playing sports, says Taliban

Firstpost  

The Taliban had promised an inclusive government and a more moderate form of Islamic rule than when they last ruled the country from 1996 to 2001. Australia’s SBS TV has quoted a Taliban spokesperson as saying that women’s sports — and women’s cricket specifically — will be banned by his group in Afghanistan. Islam and the Islamic Emirate do not …

Australia will cancel Afghanistan test if Taliban bans women's cricket
3 years, 3 months ago

Australia will cancel Afghanistan test if Taliban bans women's cricket

The Hindu  

Australia's cricket board said on Thursday that it will scrap a planned test match against the Afghanistan men's team if the Asian country's Taliban rulers do not allow women to play the sport. Australian broadcaster SBS quoted a Taliban representative as saying he did not think women would be allowed to play cricket because it was "not necessary" and it …

Taliban bans women's sport in Afghanistan
3 years, 3 months ago

Taliban bans women's sport in Afghanistan

The Hindu  

Australia's SBS TV has quoted a Taliban spokesperson as saying that women's sports — and women's cricket specifically — will be banned by his group in Afghanistan. Islam and the Islamic Emirate do not allow women to play cricket or play the kind of sports where they get exposed.” READ: Wasiq last month told SBS that the Taliban would allow …

Cricket Australia to cancel Afghanistan Test if Taliban bans women's cricket
3 years, 3 months ago

Cricket Australia to cancel Afghanistan Test if Taliban bans women's cricket

The Hindu  

Cricket Australia on Thursday said it will not host Afghanistan for a one-off Test at Hobart later this year, if the new Taliban regime fails to support women's cricket. The CA in its statement said: "Driving the growth of women's cricket globally is incredibly important to Cricket Australia. An update on the proposed Test match against Afghanistan ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/p2q5LOJMlw — …

ICC concerned about future of women’s cricket in Afghanistan
3 years, 3 months ago

ICC concerned about future of women’s cricket in Afghanistan

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our …

Gender equality key to Australia-Afghanistan historic Test going ahead: CA's Nick Hockley
3 years, 3 months ago

Gender equality key to Australia-Afghanistan historic Test going ahead: CA's Nick Hockley

India TV News  

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley has said that "gender equality" and the new Afghanistan regime's stand on women cricketers hold the answers to the whether the historic men's Test between the two countries will take place as planned in November or not. "What is absolutely unequivocal is our stance on cricket as a sport for all, driving gender equality," …

Afghan cyclist’s fears realized as Taliban aims to forbid women from playing sport
3 years, 3 months ago

Afghan cyclist’s fears realized as Taliban aims to forbid women from playing sport

CNN  

CNN — The United Arab Emirates welcomed 41 Afghan evacuees arriving from Tajikistan on Monday, including 25 members of the Afghan girls’ cycling team. I was doing sports in Afghanistan, but nowadays, that is not safe … I was forced to leave my country.” Following nearly two decades of conflict, the Taliban reclaimed Afghanistan’s capital and took over the country’s …

Afghanistan’s women’s soccer team knew it had to get out. ‘Burn your Jerseys’
3 years, 3 months ago

Afghanistan’s women’s soccer team knew it had to get out. ‘Burn your Jerseys’

Live Mint  

The first voice message was from a 16-year-old forward, knee-deep in a trench filled with sewage and panicking in the crowds swarming Hamid Karzai International Airport. It was from the team’s captain, who had been stuck in sewage for hours: “Tell us what to do!” Sleep-deprived and wearing the same clothes she had worn since the Taliban reached Kabul, Ms. …

Afghanistan girls football team 'devastated and hopeless' after Kabul bombing derails exit
3 years, 3 months ago

Afghanistan girls football team 'devastated and hopeless' after Kabul bombing derails exit

Firstpost  

An international effort to evacuate members of the Afghanistan national girls football team, along with dozens of family members and football federation staff, suffered a crushing setback last week after a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport killed 169 Afghans and 13 US service members during a harrowing airlift. But the girls, ages 14-16, and their families also could be …

Afghanistan Female Cricketer Dejected by Lack of Support from ICC
3 years, 3 months ago

Afghanistan Female Cricketer Dejected by Lack of Support from ICC

The Quint  

"In the last year, it was not so difficult for us. Before that it was difficult, people would not accept us, the ACB said that we must not go out with the cricket equipment. Samim and her two sisters fled Afghanistan two days before Taliban took over the country. "Leaving Afghanistan, it was a sad day for me. I really …

Afghanistan women’s national team soccer players leave country on evacuation flight
3 years, 4 months ago

Afghanistan women’s national team soccer players leave country on evacuation flight

LA Times  

Khalida Popal, the former Afghanistan national women’s team captain, heads the ball in 2016. Players from Afghanistan women’s national soccer team had an “important victory” on Tuesday when they were among a group of more than 75 people evacuated on a flight from Kabul. Global soccer players’ union FIFPRO thanked the Australian government for making the evacuation of players, team …

Afghanistan's female athletes find refuge in Australia
3 years, 4 months ago

Afghanistan's female athletes find refuge in Australia

ABC  

That's how August 17, 2021, should be remembered. The women athletes of Afghanistan had no idea it would be a small group of Australians, led by former athletes, who would not only hear their call but would carry off a painstaking, difficult, absorbing rescue mission that spanned multiple countries and went to the highest levels of power in sport, intelligence, …

Football Officials Trying to Evacuate Players from Afghanistan, Concerns over Women Players' Safety
3 years, 4 months ago

Football Officials Trying to Evacuate Players from Afghanistan, Concerns over Women Players' Safety

News 18  

Soccer officials are liaising with governments to try to evacuate players from Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control, the world players’ union said Friday. “As a champion of activists, we are greatly concerned about those athletes who have, for many years, been outspoken advocates for improved human rights in the country,” world players’ union FIFPRO said on Twitter. “FIFA has …

FIFPRO liaising with governments to evacuate football players from Afghanistan
3 years, 4 months ago

FIFPRO liaising with governments to evacuate football players from Afghanistan

Firstpost  

Concerns have been raised about the safety of female players who have spoken up for women’s rights and against the Taliban. Football officials are liaising with governments to try to evacuate players from Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control, the world players’ union said Friday. “As a champion of activists, we are greatly concerned about those athletes who have, for …

Football officials trying to evacuate players from Afghanistan
3 years, 4 months ago

Football officials trying to evacuate players from Afghanistan

The Hindu  

Football officials are liaising with governments to try to evacuate players from Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control, the world players' union said on Friday. “As a champion of activists, we are greatly concerned about those athletes who have, for many years, been outspoken advocates for improved human rights in the country,” world players' union FIFPRO said on Twitter. “FIFA …

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