Women's football match organized by Al Mashtal Club in Gaza

Despite social pressure, young women in the Gaza Strip take the initiative to be members of sports teams, as they think that girls and women have the right to participate in sports.

RAFIF ESLEEM

Gaza - Christian Young Women Club and Al Mashtal Sports Club had a match organized by the Al Mashtal Club in the Gaza Strip.

Mervat Al-Bitar, a board member of the Al Mashtal Sports Club, told NuJINHA that the club aims to increase the participation of girls and women in all kinds of sports, particularly in football. “Girls and women have the right to participate in sports. The girls and women also have the right to be coaches, not only players. For this reason, we hold sports training for girls and women,” she said.

They make preparation for international football matches

Speaking about the match between the Christian Young Women Club and Al Mashtal Sports Club, Mervat Al-Bitar said the match was a friendly match. After the match, a group of girls organized a karate show.

Aisha Al-Jabali is the goalkeeper of the Al Mashtal Sports Club and holds the title of best goalkeeper at the Tokyo Championship. “We participate in the training sessions every day because we make preparations to join international football matches. Today’s match was a part of the preparations,” she said.

She overcame challenges

Another player Rahaf Al-Jabali believes that people first need to be naturally talented to play football. Despite being criticized for playing football in the beginning, she overcame all challenges with the support of her family and her strong will.

Rita Abu Rahma, a player of the Christian Young Women Club, said, “Football has a positive effect on human health. Football is very important especially in the Gaza Strip since it is a stressful place. I call on girls and women to practice sports in their lives.”

The match ended with the victory of Al Mashtal Sports Club. The players of both teams were awarded for their performance.