Football Saved My Life
Manozh Noori, Australia
In August 2021 the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Members of the Afghan Women’s National Team were forced into hiding, before they fled the country to safety in Australia with help from the team’s former captain Khalida Popal.
Since then, they have built new lives in Australia and resumed playing football. This has included the formation of the Melbourne Victory Afghan Women's Team.
In partnership with Hummel, Goal Click is telling the stories of the players of the Afghanistan Women’s National Team. Hummel has been a long-time supporter of the team, providing kit for the team and aid for their journey in Australia. To support the team and their fight for equality, you can buy their jersey here.
Manozh Noori, 20, is a striker with the team and now lives in Melbourne. She tells the story of her football career in Afghanistan, her international football ambitions, and her experiences in Australia.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football journey?
My name is Manozh Noori, I am 20 years old, and a striker. It has been three years since I joined the Afghanistan Women’s National Team (AWNT). I am currently playing with the Afghan Women’s Team at Melbourne Victory FC.
As a kid I was extremely passionate about becoming a professional football player, but I faced many obstacles and struggles. My family did not want me to become a football player, so it was very tough in Afghanistan. I played for teams including Tawana Ladies Football Club, Royal Kabul FC, and Sangar FC. After playing in many tournaments and leagues in Kabul, in 2020 I was then invited by the AFF to join the AWNT. I played one tournament in Tajikistan.
I started playing football at a very young age back in school, before joining private clubs and being invited to the national team. During this time, I created a women’s team to help young girls who were passionate to become a footballer just like I was, and help them to chase their dreams. I was successful in making this happen, because one of my players was invited to the national team and she is now also here in Australia with me, which is huge. I am so pleased that as a player and a coach I was able to help make this happen.
Football has helped me to grow and find the right path for me as a human and an athlete, to chase my dreams in healthy ways. Football saved my life and saved the lives of many like me. I hope that one day I will be able to represent my country again.
What did you try to capture with your photos? Was there a wider meaning?
The photos were taken in different places with my teammates, such as when we were studying English classes at Victoria University, and during training sessions with the AWNT and Melbourne Victory team. I wanted to show the togetherness and unity of my teammates on the pitch. We have solidarity as Afghan women football players.
What is your favorite photograph?
All of them mean everything to me, like football. But I particularly love the photo where my teammates are all training. After we all went through a very tough situation back in Afghanistan, we finally all got to be together again.
Why is football so important for your team and community in Afghanistan?
Football is the symbol of peace and it was our favorite sport in Afghanistan. We are passionate about football and we all want to represent our country again to bring glory and peace to our country. We want to show the world that Afghan women are the same as other women and can be even greater and stronger. Unfortunately in Afghanistan everything went backwards. Women are banned from any activities.
What impact has hummel had on you and your team?
Hummel has had a positive impact on our team because we were supported to find our place in football. We hope to become officially recognized by FIFA.
How has your experience of playing in Australia been so far? Can you explain a bit about your current training and playing activities?
My experience as a player and playing football in Australia is really nice. Everyone is friendly and compassionate, from team staff to players. We play and live in a peaceful environment. I would like to use the opportunity of playing in Australia to join one of my favorite teams in the English Women’s Super League, such as Chelsea or Manchester United.
What does football mean to you?
Football means peace, respect, acceptance, smiles and bringing all tribes and races together to become united. Football means everything to me since I was saved from a horrible situation and reborn thanks to football.
What ambitions do you have for the future?
I want to become the best player not only in Australia but in the world. I want to be the first female from Afghanistan to play in the European leagues. If possible, one day I would like to represent my country Afghanistan, or even Australia.
What do you think the future looks like for women’s football for your team and in your community and country? What changes do you hope to see?
One of the issues here in Australia is that we are not being paid to play football. I play for free and there is no payment or allowance for the players. If it keeps going like this, I am quite sure we will not be able to properly express our skills and reach our dreams.
I want to train more and focus on my football career, but at the same time I have to cover life expenses and it takes my time. I have to work somewhere else with high pressure and often I miss our training sessions. Women’s football players need more support.
