Anyier Yuol provides insight into the upcoming Fifa women's world cup

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Local football clubs around the country are gearing up for the kick off of the Fifa Women's World Cup tonight.

Transcript

00:00 You played football, you had a dream of playing for the Matildas.

00:05 That dream didn't happen but you've achieved so much else.

00:09 But tell me about football and what it means to you.

00:12 Well, you know, as you mentioned, I had once a dream to be part of the Matilda team and

00:17 that didn't work out.

00:18 But that allowed me to go above and beyond, and particularly around the issues of gender

00:24 equity.

00:25 I came from a cultural background where women were not allowed to, were not encouraged to

00:29 play sport, and especially football.

00:33 And I took it upon myself to become an advocate, to make sure that when it comes to issues

00:38 of football that I am advocating beyond the sporting field.

00:43 And to me particularly, it's really important because events like the FIFA are significant

00:48 events where we need to shine light by some of the issues that women might be facing in

00:53 the community.

00:54 And I think, you know, for the World Cup to be here, this is an opportunity to really

00:59 talk about the issues that I have faced when I was young and why they have put a limitation

01:05 on me.

01:06 And we don't want any young women to face those barriers ever again.

01:10 And this is the fascinating thing because with women's football, it's always been associated

01:14 so closely with some sort of social justice campaign.

01:18 People are always waving a banner or a flag or calling for something to change.

01:22 And we're seeing an introduction of eight new teams here this time around, making their

01:27 debut for regions that we don't normally hear from.

01:31 How important is that?

01:32 How important is the message that a Women's World Cup sends to everywhere in the world?

01:37 And let's not forget the trials and tribulations Afghanistan has been through recently, and

01:42 that sport has now been banned again for women.

01:46 But can events like this help change those situations?

01:49 It can definitely change, particularly, I mean, look at me being involved with you,

01:55 with ABC.

01:56 We are the young women, like the Afghani women, young girls that have arrived here early last

02:02 year.

02:03 They are part of the community.

02:04 They are working on a grassroots level.

02:07 And so when we have immediate attention spreading the good work of football, it is us and it

02:13 is up to those young women to go into the communities and reach the regional areas where

02:17 they often don't get the attention about the sport.

02:20 And so it's definitely important that we are here to spread the word.

02:25 And then we need fans.

02:28 We need people to go out there into the community and tell them what's going on.

02:32 Australia or Ireland?

02:34 Oh, you know what?

02:36 Of course Australia.

02:37 But I think they're going to give us a good game.

02:40 We saw the Matildas when they played against France for the friendly games the other day,

02:44 and they did a fantastic job.

02:46 They can control the ball and hold that position.

02:49 At least 85 per cent, I think we've got a good chance.

02:53 And of course the opening game really is not here.

02:55 It's in New Zealand.

02:56 It's in Auckland.

02:57 And it is the New Zealand Football Ferns up against Norway.

03:00 Yeah, well, you know what?

03:02 I also want New Zealand to win.

03:04 I mean, they're just next door to us.

03:06 Of course, we've got to give them a chance.

03:08 I think Norway is pretty good.

03:11 But we want the win to come home.

03:13 [BLANK_AUDIO]

Category

Transcript

Recommended