Farkhunda Muhtaj

Farkhunda Muhtaj (born November 15, 1997) is an Afghan international footballer, who plays as a midfielder with Dutch club Fortuna Sittard in the women's Eredivisie. She was the captain of the Afghanistan women's national football team and was a key figure in the evacuation of the Afghanistan girls youth team from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover.

Farkhunda Muhtaj
Personal information
Date of birth (1997-11-15) November 15, 1997[1]
Place of birth Pakistan[2]
Height 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Fortuna Sittard
Number 10
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2019 York Lions 57 (5)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2018 Vaughan Azzurri 18+ (0)
2019 Durham United FA 13 (0)
2021 Vaughan Azzurri 7 (0)
2022 Fatih Vatan S.K. 8 (0)
2022– Fortuna Sittard 3 (0)
International career
2016–2018 Afghanistan 6 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 1, 2023

Early life

During the Afghan Civil War, Muhtaj's family fled from Afghanistan and went to Pakistan, where they lived without valid papers, and was where she was born.[2] Her family then moved to the Toronto, Ontario suburb of Scarborough in Canada in 2000, when she was two.[3][4]

University career

From 2015 to 2019, she attended York University, playing for the women's soccer team, serving as team captain in 2018 and 2019.[5][6] She scored her first goal on October 25, 2015, against Algoma University.[7] In 2018, she led the OUA with 11 assists.[8] In 2019, she was named an OUA West Division First-team All-Star for the first time as the Lions won the OUA championship.[8][9] In September 2020, she continued with the team as assistant coach.[5][10]

Club career

She began playing for Vaughan Azzurri in League1 Ontario in 2015.[11] She made six league appearances in 2016,[12] eight league appearances in 2017,[13] and four league appearances in 2018.[14]

In 2019, she began playing for Durham United FA making 13 league appearances.[15]

In 2021, she returned to Vaughan Azzurri, making seven league appearances.[16]

In 2021, following her work helping evacuate the Afghanistan youth girls team, she was invited to train with Portuguese club Benfica[17][18] and also met with Spanish club Barcelona, as well as speaking to the members of the Barcelona Academy.[10]

On March 3, 2022, she signed with Fatih Vatan S.K. of the Turkish Women's Football Super League.[19]

On July 30, 2022, she signed with Dutch club Fortuna Sittard, a new expansion side in the women's Eredivisie.[20]

International career

Muhtaj was a member of the Afghanistan women's national football team since 2016,[21][22] eventually becoming team captain in 2018.[23] She scored a goal against India on December 27, 2016, at the 2016 SAFF Women's Championship.[24] In the summer of 2021, she spoke with the Afghanistan Football Federation about having the team compete in the FIFA Women's World Cup qualification for the first time, however, the 2021 Taliban offensive in Afghanistan put an end to that.[25][26]

International goals
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.27 December 2016Kanchenjunga Stadium, Siliguri, India India1–41–52016 SAFF Women's Championship

Operation Soccer Balls

Following the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in August 2021, women's rights were severely restricted, including the banning of female sports. Muhtaj, who lived in Canada and was the captain of the Afghanistan women's team, was part of a group that was formed to help a group of 80 people composed of the 26 members Afghani female youth team aged 14 to 16 and their families flee the country.[27][28] The Afghanistan Football Federation reached out to Muhtaj on August 14, who joined the girls' WhatsApp group to help co-ordinate the departure, serving as the only point of contact for the group.[29][30] The rescue mission, which was called Operation Soccer Balls, was coordinated through an international coalition of former U.S. military and intelligence officials, United States Senator Chris Coons, United States allies, and humanitarian groups, with her connection to the US personalel aided through her relationship with her former mentor and former Iranian player and coach Katayoun Khosrowyar.[31][32] The mission initially suffered multiple setbacks, including several failed rescue attempts and a suicide bombing carried out by Islamic State militants,[31] with the group having to go into hiding after being unable to leave before the August 31 deadline for safe passage out of the country had passed.[33][27] The group landed and was granted asylum in Portugal on September 19.[11] On September 29, she arrived in Portugal to meet the group.[28] She remained in Portugal with the team to help guide them.[34] A second evacuation flight bringing over other players and additional family members arrived in November.[35]

Personal

Muhtaj is an Ontario Certified Teacher after having graduated from York University's Bachelor of Education program.[22][27] She has a National C coaching license.[22]

On the Italian television show Crush - La storia di Tamina, Muhtaj is the idol of the main character of the show (Tamina), a 13-year old Afghan girl who loves to play soccer and has a poster of Muhtaj in her bedroom.[36][37]

In 2020, Muhtaj co-founded the Scarborough Simbas, a program which offers free recreational and wellness opportunities for newcomers, refugees, underprivileged and at-risk Muslim youth, which helps participants to learn to connect with their communities and understand the fabric of Canadian society through sport.[38]

In 2023, she joined the League1 Ontario Women’s Football Subcommittee.[39]

References
  1. "Farkhunda Muhtaj profile". KSirius. Archived from the original on 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  2. van der Steen, Paul (August 26, 2022). "Afghaans international Farkhunda Muhtaj voetbalt in Sittard: 'Als vluchteling heb ik alle mogelijkheden gehad om te sporten'" [Afghan international Farkhunda Muhtaj plays football in Sittard: 'As a refugee I had every opportunity to exercise']. NRC (in Dutch). Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  3. Sheikh, Iman (July 3, 2015). "Ramadan won't slow down these Muslim teen athletes". TVO. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  4. Ahmed, Shireen (Winter 2022). "Kicking into High Gear". York University. Archived from the original on 2023-01-29. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  5. "York Lions 2021 Women's Soccer Yearbook". York Lions. Archived from the original on 2022-01-24. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  6. ""To dream, to aspire and to pursue what they wish": Inside Farkhundha Muhtaj's soccer-inspired Afghanistan rescue mission". York Lions. October 13, 2021. Archived from the original on October 13, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  7. Munir, Hassam (October 26, 2015). "Lions' soccer team ends regular season with dominant victory". Excalibur. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  8. "Farkhunda Muhtaj York Lions profile". York Lions. Archived from the original on 2022-01-23. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  9. "2019 OUA Award Winners". Ontario University Athletics. Archived from the original on 2022-01-23. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  10. "L'afganesa Farkhunda Muhtaj, capitana de la selecció de futbol i activista humanitària, visita el FC Barcelona" [Farkhunda Muhtaj, captain of the Afghan women's football team and humanitarian activist, visits FC Barcelona]. FC Barcelona (in Catalan). November 22, 2021. Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  11. Demony, Catarina (September 30, 2021). "Afghan women's soccer captain in Canada helps evacuate youth squad to safety". National Post.
  12. "Farkhunda Muhtaj 2016 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario. Archived from the original on 2022-01-23. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  13. "Farkhunda Muhtaj 2017 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario. Archived from the original on 2022-01-22. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  14. "Farkhunda Muhtaj 2018 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario. Archived from the original on 2022-01-22. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  15. "Farkhunda Muhtaj 2019 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario. Archived from the original on 2022-01-22. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  16. "Farkhunda Muhtaj 2021 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario. Archived from the original on 2022-01-22. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  17. "Benfica marca a diferença: cara nova entre as Inspiradoras" [Benfica makes a difference: a new face among the Inspiradoras]. SL Benfica (in Portuguese). October 1, 2021. Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  18. "Um dia à Benfica com a capitã da seleção afegã" [A day at Benfica for the Afghan national team captain]. SL Benfica (in Portuguese). October 1, 2021. Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  19. @FatihVatanSpor (March 3, 2022). "Aramiz hoş Muhtaj" [Welcome to Muhtaj] (Tweet) (in Turkish) – via Twitter.
  20. "Fortuna Vrouwen contracteert Afghaanse Farkhunda Muhtaj" [Fortuna Women signs Afghan Farkhunda Muhtaj]. Sittard-Geleen Nieuws (in Dutch). July 30, 2022. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  21. "Afghanistan women's national team roster for friendly games against Jordan". Afghanistan Football Federation. January 21, 2018. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  22. "Senior Program Leader - Farkhunda Muhtaj". Muslim Children's Aid. Archived from the original on 2022-01-23. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  23. "Farkhunda Muhtaj". Facebook. Afghans of Toronto. January 14, 2022. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  24. Mukhopadhyay, Shoubhik (December 27, 2016). "Kamala's Brace Guides India to a Winning Start". All India Football Federation. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  25. Ruszkai, Ameé (January 16, 2023). "Meet the 'amazing' captain of Afghanistan's women's national team - and her 'ideal' Dutch club". Goal. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023.
  26. Rezahi, Nizamuddin (January 17, 2023). "Afghanistan Women's Football Team Captain Shines in Dutch Club". Khaama Press. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  27. Lightfoot, Scott (September 23, 2021). "'They are so deserving of this': Ontario teacher helps rescue girls soccer team from Afghanistan". CTV News. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  28. "Afghan girls' soccer team settles in Portugal, welcomed by national women's captain". CBC Sports. September 30, 2021. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  29. Kamath, Akshata (January 7, 2022). "Remember the Afghan girls' football team that fled because of Taliban? They are talking about the journey". Daily O. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  30. Koblensky Varela, William (October 18, 2021). "Afghan women's soccer captain helps teen team escape to safety". Orato. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  31. Sanz, Alex (September 21, 2021). "Afghanistan girls soccer team given asylum in Portugal". Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  32. McClatchie, Chrissie (July 24, 2023). "How Farkhunda Muhtaj's passion for sport is a conduit for social justice". The CEO Magazine.
  33. Brown, Lee (September 3, 2021). "Afghanistan's national girls soccer team in hiding after terror blast". New York Post. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  34. Rogers, Martin (October 21, 2021). "Afghan female athletes escape chaos, take steps toward new life". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  35. Kakissis, Joanna (January 5, 2022). "An Afghan girls soccer team rebelled to play the game they love. Now they're refugees". National Public Radio. Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  36. Fumarola, Silvia (February 20, 2023). "Farkhunda Muhtaj: "Grazie al calcio provo a dribblare i talebani"" [Farkhunda Muhtaj: "Thanks to football I try to dribble past the Taliban"]. la Repubblica (in Italian). Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  37. Pierleoni, Francesca (21 February 2023). "La storia di Tamina, accoglienza a misura di ragazzi" [The story of Tamina, a child-friendly welcom]. Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (in Italian). Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  38. Ranney, Julia (June 15, 2023). "Game Changer: How soccer inspired Farkhunda Muhtaj's active global citizenship". Canadian Premier League.
  39. ""So many areas that we can grow" – Chelsea Spencer introduces the L1O Women's Football Subcommittee members". League1 Ontario. July 6, 2023.
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