Latifah she is 19 and when you ask her what football means to her, she has no doubts: “It’s like breathing.” Striker of Bastan Football Club, the women’s soccer team from Herat, Afghanistan, arrived in Italy in early September thanks to the intervention of spit, an international NGO engaged in Afghanistan since 2008 to help women, girls and children, LGBTQ + people, human rights activists.
Today, to support Latifah here in Italy and offer support to the population who remained in the country, Cospe has activated the awareness and fundraising campaign #One team and invites everyone to take action with a donation, from 24 January to 13 February, by calling from a landline or by sending a solidarity sms to number 45583 to support projects and initiatives in their defense.
Before the withdrawal of Western troops from the country and the return of the Taliban regime, Latifah, who left his family in Herat, she was a young university student, in the first year of computer science and the promise of women’s football in Afghanistan.
How was your first day in Italy?
«I remember the moment when my teammates and my coach were sitting at the airport together and thanking God for surviving, despite all the pain and difficulties. But from that day I also keep the image of the green hills covered with trees and flowers, beautiful clouds with the sun, and long roads, from when we left the airport. They made me feel good. ”
Who did you leave in Afghanistan?
“I left my family, my other teammates, my friends and everything I had there.”
Are you in contact with your family today?
“Yes, I am in contact with some of them, but they are not doing well. My closest family is forced into hiding. I hope and ask the Italian government to help them too and get them to Italy as soon as possible ».
How did you imagine your future before August 15th?
“Before that date, I imagined my future like this: winning my freedom, having a job, studying, playing football, building my country and living a normal life”.
And today?
«Today, I have all my goals that I had before, in my head, and now that Italy is my country, I not only imagine, but I believe I can achieve my goals. Studying, playing football and becoming a better player, having a job, being a symbol of strength for women and being the real person I’ve always wanted to be ».
What do you miss about your country?
“I miss family gatherings and outings with friends, my hometown, Herat and its beautiful buildings and historic sites, and the taste of delicious Afghan food. But I miss every piece of the soil of my homeland, nobody wants to leave his homeland with all the memories he grew up with. I hope one day to be able to see my country as I dreamed of it as a child, in peace, true peace and prosperity “.
What did it mean for you to start playing football again here in Italy?
«For me, playing football is like breathing. I need it. Resuming playing also meant asserting my right, imagining my future and cultivating my hopes ».
Other stories of Vanity Fair that may interest you:
-Afghanistan, the end of freedom in 10 photos
-A future as a gift
Source: Vanity Fair
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