If you don’t find a womens football (soccer) team in Qatar newsworthy, you should. In Qatar women wear black garments covering every inch of skin and leave only centermost part of their face exposed. Families are so protective of females and their exposure, one argument to having women play sports is leaving them ‘alone.’
But times are changing. Women are being inspired and families are opening up. The team has already seen, in their first game, a huge amount of support which has aided to their progress. They have a coach, a place to practice and a country behind them. They are planning to participate in the 2011 Asian Cup.
“This is the first national team for ladies in our country and it is a positive development because many ladies in Qatar like football,” young Qatar right-back Mesaad Ali al-Hamad said, “This will show the world that we have ladies playing football as well, and we will support them.”