2006 press releases
Young Arab Football Players Hone Skills During U.S. Visit
Athletes from Bahrain, Lebanon, Morocco participate in exchange program
June 29, 2006Football is not just a recreational sport for a group of young athletes visiting the United States on a two-week citizen exchange program. It is a passion that occupies an important part of their dreams and aspirations.
Eight young men and women from Bahrain, Lebanon and Morocco were among 30 athletes who participated in a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department that included visits to U.S. sports facilities, scrimmages with American football teams and meetings with U.S. leaders, including President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The program concluded with three days in Germany, where the participants attended a World Cup match between the United States and Ghana.
Under Secretary of State Karen Hughes, who invited the visiting players to a pizza party at her house, said, “Sports is a common language that fosters dialogue across borders. These young people are the future leaders of our world and it is a privilege to be a part of introducing them to America and to each other.”
The athletes welcomed the opportunity to hone their football skills with other players from around the world. “It’s not just a hobby,” said Rayane from Lebanon. “We have a passion for football.”
Her colleagues agreed and spoke about their dreams of playing professionally in the future. Yasmeen dreams of leading Bahrain’s women’s football team to Olympic gold. Fellow Bahraini Fahad said he hopes to play in the World Cup one day. Mohammed from Morocco expressed an even more ambitious goal of being the Number 1 player in the world.
The young athletes all have risen to the top of their game in their home countries after years of practice, but Rayane says she still needs a lot of practice to develop the skills she needs to achieve greatness.
Shortly after their arrival in the United States, the young athletes played a scrimmage against a team in Washington. Imane from Morocco explained that it was a tough game because the international visitors had met each other only four days earlier and had little time to practice together. But “we had fun,” Rayane said. “That’s what’s important for us.”
She added
that she learned much from the American players. “The goalkeeper practiced with
me, and she told me everything she knows,” she said.
Although most of the
young players aspire to careers on the field, some of them have other goals.
Imane said she hopes to study in the United States and become a football coach.
“If I come here and study and become a coach, I can go back to Morocco and teach
young people who need it,” she said.
Some of the young men and women also look beyond the football stadium when thinking about their futures. Racha from Lebanon said she would like to help the people of Africa, providing food and humanitarian assistance to those in need. She enjoyed her visit to the United States and said the Americans she has met all have been very nice people, but she also dreams of traveling to Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa.
The young athletes look forward to sharing their experiences in the United States with their friends and families back home. “I’ll tell them about all the things I learned here,” said Yasmeen “How to work with each other, how to communicate with different people from different countries.”
Several of the young men and women commented on the similarities they found between the people of their own countries, the Americans they have met and their fellow athletes from around the world.“I think people are all the same, but the cultures are different,” said Rayane. Imane added that the differences are just a matter of traditions and religion.
The athletes also said they hope they have been able to give the Americans a good impression of their home countries. “Every one of us is representing his country,” Rayane said.