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Shamila Kohestani

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Shamila Kohestani
Kohestani speaking at TEDxUNC in 2012
Personal information
Full name Shamila Kohestani
Place of birth Kabul, Afghanistan
Position(s) Forward
International career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Afghanistan

Shamila Kohestani is an Afghan footballer, and the former captain of the Afghanistan women's national football team. She attended boarding school in the United States at Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey. In 2007, she scored six goals at the women's team's first tournament.[1] In 2006, she won the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.[2]

Kohestani traveled to the United States in 2004 as part of a football clinic[clarification needed] hosted by Afghan Youth Sports Exchange, a program founded by Awista Ayub. In early 2006, she participated in the program's clinic in Kabul.[1] In 2006 she attended the Julie Foudy Soccer Leadership Academy (JFSLA) in Hightstown, New Jersey.[3] After graduating from Blair Academy, Shamila went on to attend Drew University in Madison, NJ and graduated in 2012.

As a sports advocate, Shamila has spoken about the importance of soccer/football and how it empowered her and her team to tear down societal norms and make history in a war-torn country. Shamila has been vocal about women's issues around the globe and the life-changing opportunities playing sports can provide. She has spoken at high schools, universities, conferences, and fundraising events in the United States. Shamila's speeches are focused on how soccer and other sports can be utilized to promote gender equality and build confidence in young women around the world.

References

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  1. ^ a b Drape, Joe (11 February 2008). "Soccer as an Escape to Hope for Afghan Teenager". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  2. ^ "Shamila Kohestani a voice for equality". espnW. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Shamila Kohestani: Empowering Young Women Through Sports in Afghanistan and Around the World". 24 February 2017.
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July 2013 - Girls' Soccer in the Taliban's Wake

December 2012 – TEDxWomen – Empowering Women Through Soccer

October 2012 – ESPNW – Imagine the life of Shamila Kohestani

April 2008 – Giant Steps Award – Barrier Breaker

June 2006 – The Arthur Ashe Courage Award