IN
THE CONFUSION AND TERROR caused by the stunningly swift fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban after the United States ’ formal withdrawal last summer , the most pressing question was , “ What will happen to the women ?” Journalists , doctors , politicians , teachers , athletes — any
women who had a profession outside their home would soon find they no longer did and that their lives , in many cases , were in danger . For members of the Afghan Women ’ s Youth Development Football team , who were well known in their communities , leaving the country was the only option .
The team members , support staff , and their families gathered in Kabul and , after weeks of trying to fly out , finally were able to enter Pakistan overland . It took an international effort led by Khalida Popal , the former Afghanistan women ’ s team captain who now lives in Denmark , and supported by Leeds United Football club chairman Andrea Radrizzani , various nonprofit organizations , and New York – based Tzedek Association ,
to get the team on a flight out that was chartered by Kim Kardashian . In all , 132 people , including 18 team members , coaches , support staff , and their family members , arrived in the UK last November .
“ I used the power of my network , the power of sport , to get them out . Now they are in a safe country and have support ,” says Popal . “ They left their dreams , but they want to learn English , go to university , engage in society , go to work .”
The team members are currently in temporary accommodations in the north of England , near Leeds . “ The players have been through a very difficult journey , living in a hotel for more than four months ,” says Valeria Ignarra , managing director of
Play for Change , the organization founded by Radrizzani that is supporting the team ’ s everyday needs . Play for Change has helped them enroll in school , organized their twice-a-week practices and social activities , and is aiding them with mental health support , job counseling , and permanent accommodations .
The team has been back on the pitch since December , practicing at Leeds United Academy . “ When the Taliban took over , I said to myself , ‘ Sevin , you are no more ,’” recalls Sevin Azimi , 20 , a right midfielder . “ My goal and dream in life was gone from one day to another . Now in the UK I ’ m happy I can continue to study and play football .”
Team captain Sabriah Nowroozi , 24 , who started playing football at 13 in her home province of Herat , was previously studying psychology in Afghanistan . “ Now I will captain my team , go to university , and get my coaching license .”
Part of outfitting the group who left Afghanistan with nothing — not even phones — included finding them laptops and other technology . A
call went out on LinkedIn , and HP was one of the companies that answered . “ We had the power to make this happen ,” says Dave Prezzano , Managing Director of Northwest Europe at HP . “ We all saw our role clearly , to provide the laptops that could help these courageous young women , who risked their lives to find a place of safety , to resume their education .”
HP UK ’ s Head of Ecommerce Rebecca Robinson says that once her group got the necessary approvals , they were able to get the laptops to the team and their families in just a couple of days . “ To be in a position to do something to materially support these brave young women who were denied basic freedoms and had to flee for their lives was humbling and gratifying ,” says Robinson , who is also cochair of the UK Women ’ s Impact Network at HP . “ There was never a question of if , just a question of how .”
The laptops were not only a way of helping the team with their education , but to stay in touch with family , friends , and teammates still in Afghanistan . As they adjust to life in the UK , they fear for the safety of the women and family members back home , and they ’ re resolute in their commitment not to forget them . “ I can keep up with my studies and stay in touch with my friends and family I had to leave behind ,” says captain Nowroozi .
By January the under-18s were fully vaccinated , and many of the team members have been able to start school and pursue their education on their way to their wide-open future .
And for a group who experienced the deep trauma of their country falling to the Taliban in mere days , and leaving everything they ever knew to live as refugees in an unfamiliar land , they are determined to dream big in their new lives .
“ In five or 10 years I see myself as a role model for women and girls in Afghanistan and coaching under-18s football teams ,” says Nowroozi . “ I am very passionate about this .” — Sunshine Flint
PHOTOGRAPH BY
HP / INNOVATION / SPRING 2022 44