Changing Perceptions
Samantha Herman, Qatar
My name is Samantha Herman, a Singaporean based in Qatar for the past 14 years since 2006. My memory of football dates back to age five, accompanying my father to local Singaporean football matches at the Singapore National Stadium and of Singapore winning the coveted Malaysian Cup in 1994. Fandi Ahmad was Singapore’s football hero and is now the head coach of Young Lions, a Singapore Premier League FC. I am still a fan of Fandi and make it a point to bring our kids out to meet him at Singaporean friendlies held in Qatar.
Our eldest son, Aidan Herman Nurakhmetov, is currently in the U6 team with the Paris Saint-Germain Academy in Qatar. The season has just started and my role as ‘soccer mum’ resonates from cheering on the sidelines in Russian. Our children are of mixed ethnicity, with their father being a Russian-Kazakh and their mother a Singaporean-Eurasian. We do our best in exposing the kids to their cultures in a bid to stem strong ties with home – with sport being one of them. We do attend and support Russian football clubs at their winter training and friendlies here in Qatar as well.
We actually had tickets for two 2018 World Cup Russia matches in Moscow. However, we had to pass them on to family as our youngest son’s passport had not arrived yet. However we did make arrangements to procure the 2018 World Cup Russian home jersey for our eldest.
Who is in the photos? Where were the photos taken?
Our firstborn, Aidan Herman Nurakhmetov, at his football practice at SFQ Academy. The U6 footballers were in a team relay, dribbling the ball with light touches and building up camaraderie. The young ones put in so much dedication, energy and focus to anything they are passionate about. Their innocent need to excel and to be at their very best is something us adults need reminding of. Aidan believes that he is contributing to the sport by wearing his Russian country jersey and that by sitting on the ball, his ‘cool’ factor is elevated by a million.
Dreams ignite from sparks of imagination and beliefs. A child’s pride and association of being affiliated with the 2018 FIFA World Cup host country and participating teams is a fire starter for memories and ambition.
Abdelrahmen Tarchoun (Abdou), aged four, was kicking the ball around with his father Yassine and sister Nour at their compound football pitch. Abdou exuberates pure joy with the childlike need of doing his father proud by connecting with the ball. Yassine makes a point in taking his kids out for physical activity in the evenings after work.
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?
The innocence and purity of children’s exploration and journey in football and sports in general. Encapsulating the awareness of the sport, what it means, what it is, what it stands for, and how it builds character and sport technique that nurtures athletic and mental capability across all sport and physical fitness.
What role does football play in Qatari society?
Qatari football started in 1960s with the creation of the association. Football is an embedded sport within the local Qatari culture. However, football remains recreational for expatriate adults, children and families. With Qatar winning the 2022 World Cup bid and the country preparing infrastructure, the expats are feeling the pride and association with football. Also, with clubs like PSG having their Academy in Qatar for youth, the kids are being roped in and feeling the vibe more ahead of the upcoming 2022 World Cup. Back in 2010 when Qatar won the bid, my car and camera lens were spray painted (thankfully with non-permanent paint) by celebrating locals on the streets.
What is the most surprising or interesting part of Qatari football culture?
Those who have not experienced or stayed in Qatar need more information on its safety, vision and mission in the sports arena.
Why is football so important for your community?
Football, as with other team sports, is seen as a way of creating discipline, teamwork, team play and bringing the community together for both players and those who enjoy the sport.
Are there any good stories connected with the people or teams you photographed?
There was candid shot of the compound kids kickstarting their weekend with a game of football with neighbourhood friends from Al Jazi Gardens. Their shouts and cheers echo throughout the compound, ringing in the weekend for all.
What are the opportunities for female footballers in Qatar?
The Aspire Football Academy started only for boys and this was very limiting and not welcoming for females who enjoy the sport. The mindset of parents, children and schools should be reset to allow for females to have more opportunity on the pitch and off the pitch.
What does football mean to you?
Football is a team sport, enjoyed by both players and those who enjoy watching it. Football is a means of instilling culture, focus, and passion for parents. In my family, I am the parent who encourages our children in partaking in sports and make the effort in registering them for it and taking them there.
What will be the biggest impact of the World Cup in 2022?
The world’s perception of Qatar will change. That there is no boundary this peninsula cannot overcome.
What is the future for football in Qatar?
The future of football is Qatar is limitless (due to a limitless expense budget) but only with the support and infrastructure funded and provided for by the Government i.e. sports programmes, inter-school tournaments, etc.
Coming from Singapore where private sector salaries are higher than footballers, aspiring footballers have to consider monetary compensation and weigh the odds of whether to continue playing for their passion of sport or support their family comfortably. This may be the same for Qatar if footballers’ salaries are not matched to the private sector.
