The takeover of power by the Taliban meant anxious days for Afghanistan’s national girls’ soccer team. Now there is good news: the 26 soccer players have been given refuge in Portugal.
26 soccer players from the Afghan national junior team and their families were granted asylum while fleeing the Taliban in Portugal. As the US news agency AP reported on Monday, citing senior national team captain Farkhunda Muhtaj, the group comprises a total of 80 people.
By joining forces and also with the participation of US aid organizations, the departure on Sunday was successful. “They have left their home and everything behind,” said Muhtaj, who lives in Canada and has kept in touch with the 14 to 16-year-old girls for the past few weeks.
Taliban threatens sporting women with consequences
During their rule in the 1990s, the Taliban banned women from all sports. Even after they recently came to power, the Islamists have indicated that women who play sport are threatened with consequences. Tens of thousands of Afghans have already left the country for fear of repression by the Taliban. At least 75 members of the women’s national team and family members were flown to Australia last month.
Since the Taliban came to power, the players had not only worried about their sporting future, but also about the chances of a good professional training. A safe life should now begin in Portugal. The girls want to continue playing football and hope to one day meet Portugal’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
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