Simultaneous with the qualification of the Afghan National Futsal Team for the World Cup, several women and girls are demanding the removal of restrictions on women’s sports in the country. They wish to create opportunities for female athletes to showcase their abilities at the national and international levels.
Razia Mirzaee is a female athlete who used to play volleyball in the past. Now, after the lifting of restrictions on women’s sports in Afghanistan, she has put aside volleyball but urges authorities to create the conditions for girls to return to sports.
She states: “Sport can be as important and prestigious for girls as it is for boys. When the boys’ national futsal team can qualify for the World Cup, undoubtedly girls have the same capabilities. I have been away from sports for about two years and have not been able to play volleyball with my teammates as before, which is very painful for me. I urge officials to remove these restrictions so that we can play sports like in the past.”
Mursal Raha is another female athlete who, along with the country’s National Futsal Team qualifying for the World Cup, calls for the removal of restrictions on girls’ sports in Afghanistan.
She says: “Sport is one of the essential needs for human health, but unfortunately, girls in the country are not allowed to participate in sports. When sports, along with health, help us overcome mental illnesses, I hope that alongside the opening of school and university doors, sports restrictions will also be lifted.”
Meanwhile, some psychologists believe that sports can be one of the best solutions for mental illnesses, including depression, which unfortunately women and girls in Afghanistan have always faced, and this statistic has increased in the past two years.
In the past two years, Afghanistan has witnessed significant changes, especially in the presence of women and girls in society, and the deprivation of girls from sports, education, and learning has been one of the biggest challenges during this time.
- نویسنده : Afghanistan Women News Agency
- منبع خبر : Afghanistan Women News Agency
