Paddy fields of dreams: the Myanmar teen making her way in women’s football
- San Thaw Thaw opted to pursue a career in football rather than further her education
Myanmar under-19 striker San Thaw Thaw fled from her family’s paddy fields to follow her footballing dreams, inspired by her girlhood hero Wayne Rooney.
One of five daughters, the 18-year-old grew up in Nyaung Tone township in Ayeyarwaddy division obsessed with football in a country that often frowns on women playing sport.
Although her parents wanted her to go to university she had other ideas, with her grandfather, an ex-player, the only family member to support her ambitions.
Five years ago San Thaw Thaw left the muddy rice fields to take up a place on the under-14 national side in Yangon and in 2016 was spotted and recruited by former Myanmar player Than Than Htwe, now coaching Zwe Ka Pin United.
“Most of my friends from my village have got married and are working in the paddy fields,” San Thaw Thaw said. “But I’m playing football in Yangon and I’m meeting lots of new people.”
However, San Thaw Thaw is only too aware of the challenges for girls wanting to follow their footballing aspirations in Myanmar.