Shabnam Mobarez, the captain of the Australian Women team shed light on the current situation, and evacuation of the girl’s football team by the Australian government.

An evacuation flight arranged by the Australian government took 70 people and help them escape the Taliban in Afghanistan. Under the current situation, the evacuation rescue operation resulted in the help of coaches, teams, and family members taking them from Kabul to Australia on Tuesday.

AFGHANISTAN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM FORMATION

Back in 2017, Afghanistan women’s football team was established and was due to play qualifying matches next month for Asian Cup

Since Taliban control of Kabul, the Australian government has evacuated almost 4100 people from Kabul. The captain of the football team Shabnam Mobarez is trying her best to be in touch with the co-players.

Talking to SBS News, Afghanistan women’s football team Shabnam Mobarez said, “they had the shift from potentially getting skilled to feeling free.”

“It’s a beautiful transition. A lot of them are very enthusiastic to live in a space that is secure for them and to continue the dreams that they started with. They have been so brave. It’s crazy what they have been through. I feel as if this is a fight that they have won.”

WHO HELPED IN THE EVACUATION OF THE TEAM?

Haley Carter, former assistant coach of the Afghanistan football team worked tirelessly to evacuate the team from the danger zone. She had been in contact with players, and working with a group for a smooth transition of the team from Kabul to Australia. 

She expressed immense thanks to Australia and appreciate the efforts. She said, 

“From our human rights lawyers to the Australian Defence force personnel on the ground and the ministers who reviewed and approved visas, I am infinitely grateful.”

She said that the whole operation couldn’t have happened without the support of all the people from Australia. 

Kalida popal former captain and former coach Kelly Lindsay were also part of the group helping the evacuation. 

To grant athletes asylum in Australia, human rights advocate Craig foster, human rights lawyer Nikki Dryden and also Australian government worked together. 

Foster said in an interview with SBN News, “Australia acted immediately and worked around the clock to make it happen.” 

 Mobarez said in an interview, “It breaks my heart to think that there’s going to be girls born under the Taliban regime not knowing that brave women football players were fighting for women’s rights.”

However, it is not clear for now how these players would be resettled in Australia, would they be reunited again to make their future in football?