TALES FROM A HIJABI FOOTBALLER

David Beckham, PSG's captain for his final match, bows out as a winner

Sun, 19 May 2013 15:07:00 -0400

David Beckham, PSG's captain for his final match, bows out as a winner : David Beckham hugged his...

Cute.

Sun, 19 May 2013 14:06:29 -0400

Cute.

Mountaineer: Peak of ambition- Samina Baig is the First Pakistani Woman to Scale Mount Everest

Sun, 19 May 2013 13:57:00 -0400

Mountaineer: Peak of ambition- Samina Baig is the First Pakistani Woman to Scale Mount Everest:...

sportypassion: ezequies: heartbreaking T_T This is sad....

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:49:57 -0400

sportypassion:

ezequies:

heartbreaking

T_T

This is sad. Quite sad. Iker is a doll. And today, he was a sad doll.

This young woman is an incredible mountain biker in Afghanistan....

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:21:15 -0400

This young woman is an incredible mountain biker in Afghanistan. Read about her and her supportive and doting family:

http://sideoftheroadsessions.com/an-interview-a-father/

Great piece on the challenges, resilience and passion of Afghan athletes.

Jose Mourinho thrown off of pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo...

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:04:00 -0400

Jose Mourinho thrown off of pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo ejected.

Atletico Madrid win Copa del Rey.

CR7 in despair and disbelief.

At least Real Madrid won’t do anything ridiculous like throw the trophy under a bus.

You win some, you lose some and then you and your perfect hair get a red.

More on this incredible Madrid derby : http://deadspin.com/copa-del-rey-ends-in-havoc-ronaldo-sent-off-fights-d-508321367

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/may/17/copa-del-rey-atletico-real-madrid

afootballreport: Beckham’s boots for his last game David...

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:57:54 -0400

afootballreport:

Beckham’s boots for his last game

David Beckham plays in the final match of his career on May 26th. As he heads into retirement, he carries the pride of Great Britain. Typical Becks.

“Typical Becks” heh heh

<3

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:35:19 -0400

So here is this image by a German artist named Nabi Nara. I...

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:59:00 -0400

So here is this image by a German artist named Nabi Nara.

I have no idea what the hell the other pictures are trying to say and I don’t really care.

I am not interested in politicizing, ostracizing or sexualizing a s/he discussion on burqas.

However, I do like this *specfic* image. Whether or not it’s a part of a larger exhibit, I am not sure.

But it resonates with me.

It reinforces that whatever someone appears to be - don’t be misled. They may be able to school you on the pitch.

To think that a woman may not be interested in sports, art or music because of her customs, beliefs or whether she is (un)veiled is absurd and ignorant.

She can smash assumptions.

I don’t wear a burqa but I am confident that I can keep up or beat a lot of people. The same people who look at me and assume because I am a woman of colour, a mother and a wife -wearing a headscarf- that *I* can’t play.

I can.

I will.

So will my daughter.

Football is for all of us.

“Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of...

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:17:08 -0400

“Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back… play for her.” - Mia Hamm

Caption was “Sincerely, who rocks more?” Why is this...

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:25:49 -0400

Caption was “Sincerely, who rocks more?”

Why is this even a question?

In honour of Becks announcing his retirement, I am sharing my...

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:05:00 -0400

In honour of Becks announcing his retirement, I am sharing my all-time favourite pic of David Beckham.

Enjoy.

Full statement via David Beckham’s facebook page:

“I’m thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level. If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over one hundred times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy. I’m fortunate to have realised those dreams.

To this day, one of my proudest achievements is captaining my country. I knew every time I wore the Three Lions shirt, I was not only following in a long line of great players, I was also representing every fan that cared passionately about their country. I’m honoured to represent England both on and off the pitch.

I wouldn’t have achieved what I have done today without my family. I’m grateful for my parents’ sacrifice, which made me realise my dreams. I owe everything to Victoria and the kids, who have given me the inspiration and support to play at the highest level for such a long period. I also want to thank Simon Fuller and his team for their continued support.

I want to thank all my team-mates, the great managers that I had the pleasure of learning from. I also want to thank the fans who have all supported me and given me the strength to succeed.

Nothing will ever completely replace playing the game I love, however I feel like I’m starting a new adventure and I’m genuinely excited about what lies ahead. I’m fortunate to have been given many opportunities throughout my career and now I feel it’s my time to give back.”

Here’s a piece with some great vid.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2325558/David-Beckham-retires-football—world-exclusive.html?ico=home%5Eheadlines

******Also adding this video because it highlights his humility and how much Becks respects other players and how he loves the beautiful game.*****

endnote: and any chance I get to post about Zizou, I will. <3

thefootyqueen: David Beckham announces retirement from football...

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:54:27 -0400

thefootyqueen:

David Beckham announces retirement from football // The former England captain calls it a day at the age of 38 [The Independent]

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

― David Beckham

Hats off to you, sir.

Footy love, nikhak

Europa League final: Benfica v Chelsea - in pictures

Thu, 16 May 2013 01:11:24 -0400

Europa League final: Benfica v Chelsea - in pictures: Commentary to go along with these pictures is...

THIS WOMAN IS AN AMAZING AT FREESTYLE. I can do like 5...

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:45:08 -0400

THIS WOMAN IS AN AMAZING AT FREESTYLE.

I can do like 5 keep-ups. So yeah, I am FLOORED.

h/t @Ingridium

Barca win La Liga title. Would have loved to be in that crowd 2...

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:49:00 -0400

Barca win La Liga title. Would have loved to be in that crowd 2 days ago. :D

They blew out of Champs League but this win seems to have delighted the fans nonetheless.

Manager Tito Villanova fought cancer and won. Eric Abidal recovered from a liver transplant and returned to the pitch late in the season.

This team has a lot to be grateful for.

Also, who doesn’t love a good party in Spain?

Some more great pics including a supporter who decided that clothes were optional. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2323977/Barcelona-celebrate-La-Liga-title-parade-streets.html

My father is an oarsman. One of my greatest memories was when he...

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:20:20 -0400

My father is an oarsman. One of my greatest memories was when he took me in a double scull at the Karachi Boat Club- where he rowed in his youth.

Didn’t flinch that I was a girl. He didn’t care.

I rowed in University for 2 years after I stopped playing football for the Varsity squad when I started to wear hijab.

Crew was amazing and I had a lot of fun.

They didn’t give a damn what I wore as long as I pulled hard.

I will always have a strong connection to this sport.

Pic of Heba Ahmed at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.

via REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

India's premier sexist league

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:43:04 -0400

India's premier sexist league: For all its influential reach, the IPL has done little to combat the...

Tangram 2022 World Cup Stadium Cools Itself Like a Lizard

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:04:05 -0400

Tangram 2022 World Cup Stadium Cools Itself Like a Lizard: “Cools itself like a lizard”,...

Drogba questions racists after abuse

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:29:07 -0400

Drogba questions racists after abuse: Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba hits back at the racists who...