In a recent multimedia presentation with the featured title, “Morocco’s Historic World Cup Debut Inspires Girls Even if Some in the Arab World Ignore It,” published by the Associated Press, journalist Mariam Fam highlighted Moroccan women’s soccer team, “Atlas Lionesses,” who will be making their debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
This is the first time an Arab women’s team has qualified for the event. Considering this tremendous accomplishment, the journalist called to light when she considers to be somewhat of a downplaying of this achievement by the media.
The article illustrated the Atlas Lionesses’ remarkable impact on young Moroccan females. It recalls the tale of Aliae Benazzouza, a five-year-old fan who went to a match and met her favorite player, Fatima Tagnaout. Aliae’s passion reflects the rising popularity of women’s soccer in Morocco, which challenges the conventional belief that soccer is just for men.
The story elicited testimonials from individuals of different ages and from both genders at the ASFAR match, to which the writer referred in the text of her work. She also interviewed Aliae’s father, Idriss Benazzouza, who expressed his satisfaction at the Lionesses’ success and underlined the significance of instilling confidence and competitive spirit in his daughters, rather than adhering to stereotypical mantras such as, “Sports don’t differentiate between genders.”
Khadija Illa, head of the national women’s soccer league revealed, “the qualification of the women’s team for the finals at the Africa Cup of Nations, the media momentum, and the wide audience that followed … breathed new life into women’s soccer in Morocco. She praised the Moroccan Football Federation’s (FRMF) efforts to improve women’s soccer in the nation.
“We now see families bring their children, … their daughters, to play soccer,” she added confidently.
The article also mentions the challenges that still exist, such as wage disparities between male and female players. It acknowledged the efforts made by the federation to support women’s clubs and establish initiatives such as sports-study programs, as cited by Bahya El Yahmidi, who oversees women’s soccer at AS FAR.
“You belong at home or in the kitchen,” was one of the early critiques she heard about girls playing football. However, she went on to remark that things have changed today.
Despite traditional beliefs in some areas of the Arab world, the piece illustrated the hope and dedication of players such as Ghizlane Chebbak, who feels she has touched the hearts of young children. Hiba Karami, an eleven-year-old who plays for Fath Union Sport, is one of them.
Moroccan women’s football is evolving, as seen by the national team’s qualification after the Moroccan men team’s outstanding performance in the World Cup quarterfinals. The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco garnered large audiences, indicating a renewed interest in women’s soccer.