For young women in Afghanistan, the dream of a football career is buried. They are forbidden to play football under the Taliban regime. Farkhunda Muhtaj (23) is the captain of the Afghan women’s national team, but has lived in Toronto (Ka), 10,000 kilometers away, since she was two years old. Nonetheless, she experienced the suffering of young women footballers first hand.
On the “orato.world” portal, she describes the dramatic evacuation of the women’s junior team from Kabul. “The task seemed insurmountable,” she thought at first when asked for help. Muhtaj didn’t know any of the juniors, let alone anyone from their families.
Operation “Soccer Balls”
But that wasn’t an obstacle. She wanted to act and does it. Muhtaj contacts lawyers and authorities, but they turn her away. Since many of the 14 to 16 year olds have no passports or other identification documents, it is hardly possible to leave the country. The situation seems hopeless. But the 23-year-old doesn’t give up.
A total of 26 junior women and their 54 family members are to be evacuated. The US military, a senator and a former CIA agent agree to help with the escape. Operation “Soccer Balls”, as Muhtaj calls them, is launched.
Despair, fear and panic
They help organize accommodation and find flights out of Afghanistan. Muhtaj is in contact with the desperate juniors every day. “The girls called me and asked, ‘Where are we going? What shall we do now? Who is on the refugee list? ” Questions she is not allowed to answer. Because Taliban spies could listen: “One small mistake and the whole operation would be endangered.”
A flight from Kabul has been booked for August 26th and the rescue seems to be assured. The 80 people are waiting in their accommodation to be transported to the airport. But that doesn’t come. Fortunately for her. Because a suicide bomber blew himself up at the airport that day. Panic breaks out, Muhtaj needs a new plan.
Asylum in the country of a world footballer
The juniors and their relatives are brought to Mazar-e Sharif, around 400 kilometers away. The situation is getting worse and the fear is growing. Then the redemptive phone call: Portugal granted the group asylum. One month after the attack on Kabul airport, they land in the country of world footballer Cristiano Ronaldo (36).
The joy is indescribable: “The girls and I had a video call after they landed. They expressed their joy and hopes for the future. ” On September 29th, Muhtaj flew to Portugal to meet the footballers in person for the first time. “The journey up to then has been tough, but a new chapter is now beginning for these girls and their families.”