Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA (the International Federation of Association Football), has welcomed the launch of the first-ever global talent identification camp for Afghanistan’s refugee women’s football team, calling it “an important step.”
According to a report by Al Jazeera, quoting FIFA, a number of Afghan female football players who fled the country after the Taliban takeover participated last month in the first of three global scouting camps held in Sydney, Australia.
The report states that this camp is part of FIFA’s plan to form a 23-member team of Afghan female footballers to take part in international friendly matches this year.
In addition to the training camps, the program includes support such as providing equipment, establishing connections with local clubs, offering guidance, media training, and helping players identify educational pathways.
Pauline Hamill, a former player for Scotland’s national team, has been appointed head coach of the team and led the first training camp in Sydney from July 23 to 29.
In an interview with FIFA’s website, she described the initiative as “an incredible project,” adding, “It’s amazing to see the players here. This project has given them the chance to play together again, build memories, and represent Afghanistan.”
It is worth noting that since the Taliban took power in August 2021, many members of the Afghan women’s national football team were forced to leave the country due to severe threats and restrictions.
The Afghanistan Football Federation has banned women from participating in sports, resulting in the women’s team being excluded from the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
