KABUL: The first global talent scouting camp for Afghan refugee women’s football has been held in Sydney, Australia. This program is part of FIFA’s new strategy to support Afghan female footballers in exile. According to Reuters, the camp aims to form a team of 23 Afghan women players to facilitate their participation in international friendly competitions. Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the Afghan women’s national football team has been barred from participating in all official international competitions. The Afghan Football Federation, now operating under Taliban oversight, has banned women’s sports, forcing many female players to flee the country. FIFA approved the creation of the Afghan women’s team in exile in May of this year. According to the organization, former Scotland national team player Pauline Hamill has been appointed as the team’s coach. FIFA has expressed hope that this team will be able to participate in international friendly matches by the end of this year, marking a step towards the return of Afghan women’s football to the global stage.
