EMAIL WOMENSOC@aol.com

November 29, 2004

Afghanistan soccer..just a small note

By 1st Lieutenant T Joshua S. Walters

Florida Army National Guard, OEF V

One World *One Game *One Goal

Just a small note. It was the first time in twenty-five years that a sports event had taken place in this village. We really pushed the envelope in having females play in the game. We brought three female players, one civilian female reporter, and five military females...they were the only females there. I asked the local leaders three times if it was ok for our females who were playing to wear shorts. Would it offend the populace?. They told me it was ok every time. Emily is a great player and plays soccer weekly with me in the Korean compound. She was my ringer!! I wanted to make a point about gender equity and introduce the idea that soccer is not just for men. Emily made this possible. I started the game at defensive center and Emily played right wing. It was an intense environment for me, to be playing in front of this kind of crowd. I can only imagine how Emily must have felt, with her every move put under the microscope. She was fearless and brilliant on the pitch. I don't know if there are many Afghan women like her. She is simply an amazing person and I was honored to see such courage.