Khalida Popal, former captain of Afghanistan's national women's football team, calls for a boycott of sport in Afghanistan to highlight the plight of women under Taliban rule.
Ex-footballer Khalida Popal says 'the stadiums we played in are being used for executions - a boycott would show our sisters their suffering is not forgotten' But even Khalida Popal – the former captain of the country’s national football team and one of Afghanistan ’s most vocal proponents for change – admits that she’s shocked at the extent that governing bodies such as the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Fifa have been complicit in marginalising women’s sport in the country.
“They have their own rules and do what they want while giving the impression that they don’t listen to the western world. But the reality is very different. “A boycott would send out a strong message to the women of Afghanistan that you’re not forgotten and you’re not alone. That’s what we want. We want the world to remember the women of Afghanistan and not forget “As a former athlete and a woman who started playing sport as a tool for activism, that’s our foundation. “We want to use our platform to be the voice for our sisters who are under the oppression of the Taliban. We want the world to stand with us. I really appreciate that the politicians and the media are with us.”Now based in Denmark, Popal herself fled Afghanistan in 2011 following continual threats to her safety as a result of her role in transforming women’s football in the country. As a child, Popal was introduced to the sport by her mother, a PE teacher, and played regularly with her brothers – who often paid a heavy price for encouraging her to join in their kickabouts.Popal says the sporting world must send a message to the Taliban (Photo: Getty) “My brothers were bullied, they were beaten, just because they were supporting me and allowing me this opportunity. In a society that’s male dominated, the man who stands and supports human rights is seen as weak. That’s the taboo and we’re still dealing with that today – we need to break that cultur
Afghanistan Taliban Women's Rights Sport Boycott
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