Afghanistan’s female football players get a jersey with built-in hijab
Danish sports company unveils design aimed to make it easier for strict Muslims to play and still follow their faith
With a little tuck here and a little tuck there, Shabnam Mabarz hides her long hair under a red headscarf and gets ready to play.
“Voila,” said the 20-year-old Mabarz, a member of Afghanistan’s national soccer team.
Mabarz and her teammates will be the first to wear a new hijab that is connected to the base layer under their national team shirt. The new creation, which also includes leggings, will make it easier for women to combine their soccer with their faith.
“This jersey is the Afghani team uniform and I am proud to be a role model for thousands of young girls and women back home in Afghanistan,” said Khalida Popal, the team’s former captain. “It is very special to me. It is our identity.”
The outfit was designed by Danish sportswear brand Hummel, the company that also makes the national team kits for Denmark and Lithuania.
Playing soccer in Afghanistan can be dangerous for women, so many members of the national team live in Europe.