“I see sports as a way of life and a form of self-discipline. Football is not only a game but a distinction towards self-confidence.”

My journey towards sports started from a young age. I grew up in a family that loves sports. During my school years, I was part of the school’s table tennis and volleyball team along with my twin sister. In 2010, it was a game-changer year for me. It was the year where I was introduced to football and found myself completely captivated and ambitious towards the sport. Through the Female Club for Football, in Palestine, a women’s team was formed which I was so proudly to be a part of. It was the first women’s football team in the district of Hebron, Palestine.

I later on became a football coach for the under 14 (U14) and under 17 (U17) years old female teams. When I became a coach, I saw how my students developed and started to create new goals for themselves. Through Palestine: Sports for Life (PS4L), I learned how to use sports to develop and teach life-skills for youth. It was a major growth point for me as a coach, since the programs and workshops presented by the NGO provided a way for me to send a specific message through sport. I currently am associated with numerous associations and federations, and am grateful on the role I play through these institutions. As a member, my work focused on making an inclusive environment for different age groups, while focusing on letting more girls participate in sports.