Ahdia Haidari

I started playing soccer in 2018 with one of my friends, and I had to keep it secret from my Dad. It was really difficult for me to hide this from him. Then I started playing professionally in 2019 for the U17 Women's National Team. When I started playing soccer, many people around me said, "You can't play soccer because you're a girl, and playing soccer is just for boys, not for you." This is the opinion of many people in Afghanistan. 

I asked why girls can't play sports. They had no good reason as an answer. I chose not to listen to them. Instead, I told myself I could play and achieve my goals. 

I was always trying to find a solution for all the hardships I experienced, but finding a solution at that age when there was no possibility was really tough. Sometimes I had no hope for my goals and dreams. It was challenging, and I spent hours, days, months, and years thinking about what to do to overcome all these problems. I always told myself that I could, but life was getting harder every single day, and I had less faith that I could solve these things in my life. My older sister has always been my greatest source of wisdom and strength. She gave me the best advice I've ever received, "to be independent, strong, and never give up on my dream." Her words have guided me through the toughest times, reminding me that even when life is difficult, I have the power to overcome any challenge. This made me feel that nothing is impossible. If you want it and believe in it, everything is possible. I will keep going to prove this to the world, and not just for myself, but also for all of my sisters in Afghanistan. I want to show everyone that girls can also play soccer and make their country proud.

I came to Australia when I was just 16 years old. Moving here was a big change for me. I didn't know how hard it would be to live without my family and adjust to a new country, especially learning a new language. When I arrived, I didn't know any English, and studying it here was very difficult. Even now, every day is still a challenge for me. But I promise I will never give up, and I will try my best in everything I do.  After my country, Afghanistan, fell to the Taliban in August 2021, my life changed completely. I now play for Melbourne Victory AWT, but getting here was not easy. I remember hiding in one room for almost two weeks, feeling scared as the Taliban fired guns to frighten people. There were nights when I couldn’t sleep or eat properly, and all I could do was cry. I had no hope left. It was also the first time in my life that I saw adults who were scared and shocked, with everyone just trying to survive.  When the Taliban took over, it became too dangerous for me and my family to stay in Afghanistan. Continuing my soccer career and education there was impossible. Ever since the Taliban took over, girls in Afghanistan haven’t been allowed to go to high school, university, work, or even exercise. They do not respect girls and women in my country. I had to leave everything behind, including my medals and jumpers that represented my first trip to another country—things that I worked so hard to earn to show people that girls can succeed.  I dream of playing for my country again one day and raising our flag high. Everywhere I go, I see flags from different countries, but I don’t see the flag of Afghanistan, and that makes me feel so sad for my country. I will never forget all that has happened there. 

I am playing for Melbourne Victory FC Football team. Football means everything to me. It’s not just a game; it’s a part of who I am. Playing football has given me strength and hope, especially during the hardest times in my life. When I was in Afghanistan, football was my way of showing that girls can achieve their dreams, no matter what society says. It was my way of proving that we are strong, capable, and deserving of the same opportunities as anyone else. Even now, after leaving my country and facing so many challenges, football continues to be my source of inspiration. It pushes me to be better every day, to never give up, and to keep fighting for my dreams. When I’m on the field, I feel free and powerful, like I can overcome anything. Football is also a way for me to honour my country and all the girls back home who aren’t allowed to play or even go to school because of the Taliban. Every time I play, I think of them, and it motivates me to keep going, to represent them, and to show the world that Afghan girls are strong and resilient. 

My dream is that one day play for Afghanistan again and raise my country’s flag high. 

Football has taught me that nothing is impossible if you have the passion and determination to succeed. It’s my way of making a difference, not just for myself, but for all the girls who have been told they can’t. Football is my life, my passion, and my way of making the world see that girls can do anything.