Members of Qatar Women’s National Football Team visiting the New York Recreational Women’s Soccer League.
Doha: The US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the US Embassy in Qatar partnered with World Learning to recently host a 10-day sports diplomacy exchange programme to New York City and San Francisco for members of the Qatar Women’s National Football Team leadership and players.
The exchange aimed to build lasting connections meant to support the development of women’s football and its symbolic and practical impact on women’s rights and sports entrepreneurship.
During their 10-day exchange in the United States, the team conducted meetings with organisations working to drive forward women and girls’ football in the US. While in New York, the team met with student athletes, professional and amateur football leagues, and organisations advancing equitable opportunities to experience sports and create social change.
In California, the team met with elite coaching and medical professionals and took to the pitch to practice with the California Storm. Members of the team said they look forward to putting into action what they learned during the exchange. Midfielder Dwana Khalifa said, “This programme helped me and will continue to help in a lot of different ways in life and in the game.”
Rachel Mikeska, Public Affairs Director at the US Embassy, noted the priority the United States places on empowering women and girls to reach their full potential, including in sports.
“Our embassy was thrilled to facilitate the team’s travel to meet with their American counterparts as the United States celebrates the 50th anniversary of Title IX, a US law which enabled the full participation of women and girls in the United States to pursue their aspirations in sports and much more.”
Following the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, US participants will travel to Qatar in early 2023 to increase recognition and support the growth of women’s football through specialised workshops in collaboration with Qatar Foundation and local partners.
