By Mehr Jan
The news that the International Cricket Council would support Afghanistan’s exiled female crickets were overwhelmed by Firooza Afghan. Orum I can’t describe my emotions, ”he said, fighting for recognizing the sound that carries the weight of the years. “It’s not just three years, it’s more than 20.”
Nahida Sapan in Melbourne took the news with tears. “We texted and called each other – some girls were crying,” he said. “We really worked hard for this. Now we feel inspiration and valuable.”
For these two women, in a country erasing the right to play once, teammates pointed out more than corporate progress of the ICC’s announcement. Visibility, dignity and Afghan women have been rejected for a long time to belong to the field.
The ICC announced that it would create a mission force to support Afghan female cricketists who escaped after the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The decision for many people, including Afghan and Sapan, is an important turning point in a long and exhausting war.
“When we were in Afghanistan, the women before us have been fighting to build this team since 2010.” He said. “They wanted us to represent our country like women from Pakistan, India and Australia. This is not just the news for us – for all Afghan women in the world.”
Following the taking of the Taliban, women were banned from almost all areas of public life, including sports. Six months after the national contract, Afghan had to flee to Australia.
In addition, in 2020, the Afghanistan Cricket Board contract was found in exile among 25 women.
The Human Rights Monitoring Organization and other advocacy groups put pressure on the ICC to prohibit it from international competition, as it did not meet Afghanistan’s membership and meet the need to support a male team. Although there was no action against the men’s team, the announcement in April pointed to a long -term shift.
Financing, facilities and desire to play
The ICC’s task force will be established in cooperation with jack boards from India, England and Australia. It includes a special fund for direct money aid and a high -performance program that offers a special fund and coaching, access to first -class facilities and special mentoring.
“This is not the end. We just started, Af Afghan said. “I believe that the future of a happy point. We were fighting for our rights before, but with this support, we can make history for all Afghan women.”
Earlier this year, Afghan and his teammates took a step to regain this future. In January, they played their first matches in Exile – an exhibition game organized by Cricket in Australia, which is not boundary.
Although symbolic, the match underlined his devotion to sports even in exile.
Uz We feel what we see, Sap Sapan said, leading the team in that game. “This gave us hope and confidence that we still have a future in the cricket.”
Nevertheless, ICC did not confirm whether these exiled players could not officially be recognized as Afghanistan’s national women’s team.
Between politics and field
Despite global pressure, the Afghan Men’s Men’s Team continues to receive ICC financing and compete internationally.
Countries, including Australia, rejected the systemic restrictions on women and girls, including the Taliban’s secondary and higher education, employment and public mobility, and rejected bilateral series with the male team.
Taliban said that they support women’s rights in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic law and Afghan cultural values. Meanwhile, the silence from male Afghan cricketists was another reminder of the Gulf, where these women faced.
“It’s hard, S Sapan said. “We know the situation in Afghanistan. Cricket board cannot support us because if they do it, they may lose the chance to play the male team.
However, despite politics, threats and isolation, Singan and his teammates remain determined.
“I remember when I first saw the cricket – only men were playing, Af Afghan said. “Now, I want the new generation of girls to see us and believe that they can do.”
