The Right To Choose

Neki Haidari, Germany

We have teamed up with the adidas Breaking Barriers Project to share the inspiring stories of 14 Champions across Europe as they advocate for women and girls in sport within their local communities. The second instalment of this series showcases eight Champions from Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the UK who are advocating for the next generation of women in sport. Neki Haidari is an adidas Breaking Barriers Champion and a coach with Champions ohne Grenzen in Berlin, Germany.

Want to join us in breaking barriers for women and girls in Europe? Join the adidas Breaking Barriers Academy.

My name is Neki Haidari. I am originally from Bamiyan, Afghanistan, but I grew up in Kabul. I have been living in Berlin, Germany, since 2021, and I have been coaching wall climbing, bouldering, and football at Champions ohne Grenzen since 2022.

I would say that the majority of the success in my life is because of my involvement with sport.

I started cycling in 2015 in Kabul, where bicycles were intended only for boys. No girl had the right to be seen on the streets with a bicycle. Once a week, we entered the city with a team of girls and boys on bicycles to normalise cycling for girls there. Slowly, we broke through the barriers, and I continued to ride my bike in the streets.

After this, I became interested in sports and discovered mountain climbing, rock climbing, and tent pitching - all of which symbolise freedom to me. These sports made me feel good, and when I was exercising, I felt empowered without even realising it.

As an Afghan woman, I overcame many obstacles, including the reactions of people around me. My family initially opposed me playing sports due to the fear of facing persecution in our society, and they asked me to give up my dreams. It took a year for them to finally support me.

I have also endured negative comments from neighbours, relatives, and strangers on the street. They cursed at me and tried to tell me that it was not appropriate for me to play sports, because it would give other girls the idea to play as well. 

When we were climbing the mountain, stones were thrown at us by unknown people because we brought a team of girls into this sport. I ignored all of these comments and continued to exercise. 

Why did you start working in your community? Why are you motivated to do the work that you do? Why do you think your work with girls is important?

I started my coaching work because I believe that women should not have to give up their interests just because of the society they are born into, or just because they are women. I promised myself that I would stand behind women and work for their rights, as I have grown up with the same challenges in this society for years, and I understand what they are facing. 

What did you try to capture with your photos? Was there a deeper meaning to the photos? What do these images mean to you as a Champion of the adidas Breaking Barriers Project?

The photos show two cultures - Europe and Afghanistan. As a coach and leader, I realised how different the challenges are in Europe compared to the culture in Afghanistan, where I grew up. I found that the challenges in Europe could be more easily overcome than those in Afghanistan.

Europe is a different world for me. Here, you have the right to choose. You can be yourself and not worry about the judgment of others. For example, when you ride a bike, you do not need to cover up so that others do not notice your figure. Here, it does not matter whether you are a girl or a boy on the bike. You feel comfortable and continue to play other sports without any worries. Your mind is completely free, and you only think about improving your future.

Photos I used to take in Afghanistan were taken with thousands of worries and problems. While I was there, I could not publish them easily because I was restricted.

In Germany, many women begin focusing on exercising and their overall health after they turn sixty. Through the adidas Breaking Barriers Project,  we were able to host an event where our mothers, sisters, and friends were able to also go into the water to swim and participate in fitness classes. 

Why is sport important for your community? Why is it important to you?

Afghanistan, like any other country, has the right to be considered a part of the world and for athletes to participate in world competitions. But the culture of the country has taken this right away from women.

Sports are important to me because my health and my name are important to me. As an Afghan sportswoman, I have the right to play, to appear in the media, and to be well-known for my accomplishments.

In Afghanistan, there is now no role for women and girls in sports. This is the biggest challenge to overcome as a woman in sport, as well as a woman in education.

In 2021, I was in Afghanistan and I did not have the right to run freely in the park or on the street, to ride a bicycle, or to go climbing in more comfortable sports clothes. I was insulted for participating in sports.

I really enjoy coaching others now because I can see the strength, confidence, and energy that sport brings them.

What are the opportunities for women and girls to play sports in Afghanistan and Germany?

In Afghanistan, it was not widely accepted for girls to play sports. Most people expected girls to stay home after school and follow the demands of their parents. It was not common for girls to have a choice in the matter. 

I am really happy that the women and girls from my community in Germany can play sports without the worries that I faced in Afghanistan.

What impact has the adidas Breaking Barriers Project had on your journey as a leader and change-maker in women’s sport? What are your ambitions for the future?

The adidas Breaking Barriers Project has encouraged me to think about how I can work as a leader and coach in sports by understanding the needs of the people around me. I enjoy sports projects that focus on women, as well as those for the elderly and young people. 

I see the future of sports in Germany as bright because we can make women’s sports more popular in our community with the opportunities that the adidas Breaking Barriers Project can provide. 

I am happy that now I can continue my work and sports here in Germany, but I still think about Afghanistan and the girls of my homeland. I like to always be by their side and support them, and my wish is to stand up for my dreams and the dreams of the girls of Afghanistan.