Afghanistan Women's Development Team

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Born

2003

From

Herat, Afghanistan

Currently in

United Kingdom

Former Team

Herat Women

Current Team

SJR Ladies A Team

Favourite Player

Alexia Putellas

Fun Fact

I’m an avid reader and can often be found with my nose buried in a good book. I enjoy reading everything from fiction to biographies.

My Story

I started playing football when I was 15 years old, and it quickly became more than just a game for me. Growing up in a very traditional community, it wasn't easy to pursue my passion for football. There were many obstacles and challenges I faced just to play the sport freely. People often held conservative views about girls participating in sports, and I had to fight against those norms to get on the field, but I had a big dream to join the Afghan Woman National Team. Every time I stepped onto the pitch, I felt an incredible sense of freedom and joy and I was so lucky enough that I had support of my parents in every single aspect. The moment the whistle blew, all my worries faded away, and I was fully immersed in the game. Football allowed me to express myself and connect with others who shared the same passion. Despite the difficulties, football became a vital part of my life, teaching me resilience and the importance of following my dreams.

My journey from Afghanistan to the UK was full of challenges and danger. When the Taliban took power, my life and my family’s lives were in serious danger, so we had to leave our home. This trip was not just about escaping threats and violence, it was about finding safety and a better future. Every step was uncertain, but the hope of finding security and rebuilding our lives kept us going. It showed our strength and determination to overcome tough situations.

We were in danger because, with the rise of the Taliban, our security and freedom were seriously threatened. The Taliban quickly implemented strict laws based on their interpretation of Islamic Sharia, violating many human rights, especially those of women and girls. As a family, we were worried that we might become targets of violence or persecution due to our beliefs, lifestyle, or simply being outspoken. The fear of losing our lives and the desire to protect our future drove us to leave Afghanistan in search of safety and a better life. Khalida Popal helped us a lot through this journey and she faced so many challenges to evacuate us from Afghanistan to UK. 

Currently, I play football at a local club SJR Ladies A Team, where I train and compete with other passionate players. Being part of this team has improved my skills and created a strong sense of community.

Football means a lot to me; it’s not just a sport but a way to express myself and escape from everyday challenges. It has taught me the importance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. On the field, I feel empowered and free, and the friendships I’ve made are incredibly valuable.

Born

1999

From

Herat, Afghanistan

Currently in

United Kingdom

Former Team

Harirud Storm

Favourite Player

Ronaldo

My Story

I started playing football when I was younger, and loved watching football games. I wished that I could play football on the green field, and this was an amazing feeling for me. Watching Ronaldo's attractive game made me more interested in football. All my internet is football, it's all I saw and all I still see!

The evacuation was my best trip because I was able to continue my football and achieve my dreams in another country. Of course, it was also very difficult for me because I had to leave my country and the most important people in my life. My journey started from Herat until I reached England, but now I feel very happy.

In England, I trained for a while with the SGR team, and now I had three or four training sessions with the Rossington team, and it is the best feeling ever, because I am getting closer to sports and football and I believe that I will succeed.

Born

2003

From

Daykundi, Afghanistan

Currently in

United Kingdom

Former Team

Herat Women

Current Team

Rossington

Favourite Player

Mapi Leon

My Story

When I was little, I learned football with the boys playing in the alleyways and fell in love with it. I thought there might be a team for girls too. Football gave me a sense of freedom and dreaming, and my family supported me to become a professional athlete, which is why I was able to progress a lot. I became a member of the Herat Team and was selected for the national team.

I am currently playing in Rossington, Doncaster, and football is not just a sport for me. When I play football, I feel like a bird released from a cage, feeling safe and free, and all my memories of my country come to my mind, reminding me of my homeland. The only valuable thing I was able to bring with me from my country was playing football, and every time I miss my country, I play football.

Born

2006

From

Herat, Afghanistan

Currently in

United Kingdom

Current Team

Rossington Main

Favourite Player

Ronaldo

My Story

I started playing football in Afghanistan when I was really young. My friends and I would gather in the streets after school, using whatever we could find as a ball. The excitement of the game and the joy of being with friends made me feel alive.

Football became a way to escape the challenges around us. It brought us together, regardless of our backgrounds, and gave us hope. Every goal scored felt like a victory, not just in the game but in life. 

Playing football was important to me because it taught me teamwork, discipline, and resilience. It was more than just a sport; it was a way to dream of a brighter future amidst difficult times.

Born

2003

From

Herat, Afghanistan

Currently in

United Kingdom

Former Team

Herat City

Current Team

SJR Worksop Women

Favourite Player

Ronaldo

My Story

When I was 14 years old, I used to play football in my school with my friends, and we got support from my family and friends. I started playing football in a small area on the street, and then we found a coach and learned more and practiced our skills. That’s how I found football, and I still proud of myself that I continue despite there being lots of pressure in my community.

When the Taliban arrived, everything changed overnight and we had to leave our home country to find peace and freedom for myself and my family. It was a situation where we had no choice. We suffered from a lot of stress and depression at that time. We found Khilda Popal as a hero. She changed our lives and we went to Pakistan for our visa, and then we moved to UK in 2021. Me and my teammates are very happy to live and play in peace and we are grateful for everything.

I play in SJR Worksop Women’s team at the moment. For me, football means so much. It gives me power confidence and freedom, and I work hard to achieve my goals. 

Born

2001

From

Herat, Afghanistan

Currently in

United Kingdom

Former Team

Tofan Harirud

Favourite Player

Saka

My Story

همیشه تنها بودم و تنها دوستم توپ فوتبال بود. مثل یک دوست هر روز باهاش بازی میکردم و باهاش حرف میزدم و کمی که بزرگ تر شدم داخل شهر من (هرات) تیم فوتبال تاسیس شد و رفتم اونجا ، همه غم و ناراحتی م از بین میرفت و حس میکردم که ازاد ترین پرنده آسمان هستم ، و وقتی فوتبال بازی میکنم از هرثانیه  لذت میبرم و هنوزم که هنوزه تنها دوست واقعی من توپ فوتباله.

وقتی طالبان افغانستان گرفتن قصد داشتم واقعا دست به کارای خطرناکی بزنم هرات اولین شهری بود که سقوط کردن خونه منم نزدیک جنگ بود هرشب ساعت سه جنگ و تیر هوایی و صدای انفجار شروع میشد تا دوازده ظهر دقیقا یادم نیس ولی چند هفته ادامه داشت برق و اب قطع کرده بودن و من هر شب بجای شمردن ستاره ها صدای تیر های که میومد و میشمردم همه چی رنگ سیاه گرفته بود هیچی دل خوشم نمیکرد و هر روز به مرگ فکر میکردم ولی در پی سیاهی نوری تابید به نام خالده خانم که یک امید در ناامیدی های همه ما بودند و کمک کردن سیاهی ناپدید بشه و سفر خطرناکی بود یادم میاد زمینی از هرات تا میدان هوایی کابل رفتیم کل راه به این فکر میکردم ک اگه نشد از افغانستان خارج بشم یک واسکت انتحاری پیدا میکنم و میزنم به دل طالبان هرچقدرشون که بمیره با خودم مهم نبود برام (گرچه مسخره به نظر میرسید ولی خیلی مسمم بودم) میدان هوایی کابل رسدیم ک بسته بود و همان شبش سه انفجار شد در داخلش. انقدر افسرده شده بودم که حس میکردم افغان بودن یه نفرینه برای همه افغان ها ن تنها من ،و حال خیلی ناامید بودم و بعد چند هفته خالده خانم راه دیگه ای برای ما پیدا کرد و دخترا صبح حرکت کردن سمت پاکستان اون روز واقعا روز بدی بود من و بابام مسموم شده بودیم و نرفتیم وساعتایی یازده حرکت کردیم سمت مرز و همه چیز بعد اومدن طالبا بد بود ادما چهر شهر وقتی خیابون که میگذشتیم پسرهای جوانی میدم که تفنگ به دست دارند که حتی نمیتونن وزن تفنگ و تحمل کنن و من درحال افسوس خوردن فقط نگاه میکردم وقتی رسیدیم اونجا بابا م‌نمیتونست راه بره ویلچر گرفتیم و رفتیم سمت مرز که بازم دیدن چهر طالبا حالم خراب میکرد شب ساعت دوازده مرز رد شدیم و وقتی برای اخرین باز سمت افعانستان نگاه کردم و مثل کسی که درحال مرگه کل خاطراتم از بچه کی تا همون لحظه جلو چشم امد با خودخو گفتم یعنی تموم شد؟یعنی آخرین بار که میتونم هوای افغانستان نفس بکشم؟ 

بعد اونم پاکستان حس یه زندانی داشتم و وقتی رسیدم انگلیس نمیدونستم خوشحال باشم یا ناراحت،و هنوزم که هنوزه وقتی فکر میکنم دلم برای هرکسی که در افغانستانه تیکه تیکه میشه.

در تیم (Netherton United) بازی میکنم درشهر پیتربورو در حقیقت خیلی تجربیات جدید بدست اوردم ازین بابت خوشحالم و‌ درسته که فوتبال برای من معنی احساس ازاد،خوشحال بودن،راهی برای صلح و خیلی چیزهای دیگه را میدهد ولی الان فوتبال تنها راهی برای فقط خوشحال و یا تنها آزادی داشتن نمیبینم معنی بسیار فراتری برای من دارد،اینکه چطور داشته ها و دانش خود را به یکی دیگه منتقل کنیم یا چطور از طریق 

فوتبال میشود به بقیه کمک کرد یا چطور فوتبال میتونه کل زندگی یک نفر تغییر بده و خیلی چیزهای دیگه.

Born

2004

From

Kabul, Afghanistan

Currently in

Portugal

Former Team

Setara hay Banin ستاره های بنین 

Current Team

Ayende FC & SC Falscheid 

Favourite Player

Christiano Ronaldo

My Story

مه از دوران مکتب فوتبال شروع کدم و بعدا راه به فدراسیون پیدا کردیم و تانستیم از لیگ های خورد تا لیگ های برتر را بازی کنیم و بعد از تقریبا دو و یا سه سال به تیم ملی راه پیدا کردم. 

عد ازی که افغانستان به دست طالبان سقوط کرد ما توانستیم به کمک فرخنده محتاج از کابل به مزار و از مزار به پرتگال بیاییم ولی چون وضعیت پرتگال چندان خوب نبود تصمیم گرفتم با خواهر و بیدر هایم به جرمنی بیاییم و تقریبا سه سال میشه که ده جرمنی زندگی 

می‌کنم

برای من فوتبال معنی زندگی را می‌دهد   

Born

2001

From

Herat, Afghanistan

Currently in

United Kingdom

Former Team

Herat Provincial Team

Current Team

Rossington Main Firsts

Favourite Player

Sam Kerr

My Story

I started playing football at the age of 15 in a local club called Sorkh Pushan (Red wearers), then when I turned 17, I started playing for the Montekhabe Herat (Herat selected team). When I was 20 years old, I was asked to play for the Afghanistan women’s football team. 

I have been in love with football since I was a kid. I remember that I used to play football on the street, in the parks, at school with my friends and it has been the only joy in my life so far. Back in Afghanistan, football was like a pure freedom for me. It was a tool to fight for our rights, our basic rights. It was a tool to empower myself and women around me. Playing football was really important for me because it helped me to get rid of my thoughts and my weaknesses. It was always like a friend for me. I could speak in football, I could raise my voice, I could forget what is going on in the world, it was me and my only world (football pitch) and that’s it.

I have started playing foorball at Rossington Main Ladies FC since I arrived in the UK. I am feeling pleased and excited to carry on with this team. Football means pleasure, freedom and home for me.

Born

2008

From

Herat, Afghanistan

Currently in

United Kingdom

Former Team

Herat Province FC

Favourite Player

Lionel Messi

My Story

I first started playing football in the streets of Afghanistan, until I met one of my friends who played football with girls in a safe place, and she introduced me to the Herat women's football team and I started from there.

We were not in the right situation in Afghanistan until we met someone named Khalida, and with her help we were transferred from Afghanistan to Pakistan and then to finally to England.

Now I try to play football and I am always ready to play. Football has always had a special meaning in my life. I feel relaxed when I play football.

Born

1998

From

Kabul, Afghanistan

Currently in

United Kingdom

Former Team

Meiwand FC

Current Team

SJR Worksop Ladies Team

Favourite Player

Viv Miedema

My Story

من وقتی کلاس هفتم مدرسه بودم علاقمند فوتبال شدم و فوتبال کردن را در مدرسه شروع کردم چند سال تویی تیم مدرسه  بازی کردم بنابر شرایط که داشتم رفتم یه شهر دیگه ونتونستم از فوتبال دست بکشم و دوباره شروع کردم  در آنجا یه تیم فوتبال از دختران مدرسه تشکیل دادم با شرایط سختی که داشتم خانوادم هیچ وقت دوست نداشتن من فوتبال بازی کنم و از نظر آنها فوتبال فقد برای پسر ها بود و تمام دختران که در اطرافم فوتبال بازی میکردن با این شرایط سخت میجنگیدن و نبود امکانات باز هم به بازی فوتبال ادامه دادم تا اینکه به تیم منتخب هرات رفتم  چند سال در تیم منتخب هرات بازی کردم 

دلیل که من فوتبال دوست دارم  اینکه من در زمین حس قدرت و آزادی را تجربه میکنم و تمام مشکلاتم را در آن مستطیل سبز فراموش میکنم

 فوتبال خیلی برایم مهم اس وقتی میبینم خیلی از دختران از کشورم دوس دارن که فوتبال بازی کنند اما نمیتوانند با شرایط بد که تویی کشورم است خیلی از دختران از این حق محروم شدن و بازی کردن فوتبال برایشان فقد یک رویا باقی مونده 

من میخواهم بجنگم برای این حق تا رویای دختران کشورم را به واقعیت مبدل کنم و کسی باشم که بتونم به دختران کشورم کمک کنم و الگوی باشم تا دختران با تمام سختی و مشکلات که دارن تلاش کنند 

I became interested in football when I was in the seventh grade of school and that was when I started playing football in the school team, which I did for a few years. Due to difficult  circumstances, I went to another city, but I  could not keep myself from playing football and so I started playing again. There, a football team was formed from school girls. I tried to ignore all these difficult conditions that I faced. My family never liked me playing football because in their opinion, football was for boys. All the girls who played football around me were fighting with these difficult conditions too, as well as the lack of facilities. I continued to play football until I went to the Herat, where I played with players from the National Team for a number of years.

One night in 2021 though, suddenly everything changed when the Taliban returned to Afghanistan. It forced me leave my country, I couldn't stay anymore in my country  in such a difficult situation, especially for women. With the team, I started a journey from Afghanistan to Pakistan. A lady named Khalida Popal helped us to get out of the country. We were in Pakistan for a while with very difficult situations but we had to leave our country for a better life and freedom, and we ended up beoming refugees in England. I am very happy that as a girl I can study in this country and most importantly, I can play football and live freely.

The reason I like football is that I experience a sense of power and freedom on the field and forget all my problems in that freeing green rectangle. 

Football is very important to me because when I see that many girls from my country that want to play football, but they can't because of the bad conditions in my country, it makes me want to fight for this right to play. I want to make the dream of the girls of my country a reality, and be someone who can help the girls of my country by being a role model, to help them face all the difficulties and problems they have.