Yasmine Yasser, a licensed coach and professional player from Mansoura, Egypt, has become a beacon of hope for aspiring female footballers. In fact, Yasser grew up in a country that had no women’s league to speak of. Through all the hardships, she found a way to shine and has since become a trailblazer in the athletic community. Her journey is an impressive testament to her personal agency and hard work. It’s also a story about the making of women’s football in Egypt.
Founded in 1998, the Egyptian Women’s League floundered for years, with few having heard of the League, let alone participating. As of 2021, it had only 11 teams. However, recent developments indicate a promising shift. Welcome to the league, five new clubs! This news has led to an unprecedented expansion of youth teams for girls as young as 13, igniting the dreams of a younger wave of talent. This momentum aligns with the increasing visibility of women’s football on television, particularly through broadcasts on Egypt’s ON Sports satellite channel.
The Foundation of a Champion
Yasser attributes her late father – a former professional footballer himself – as her most unwavering supporter. His encouragement planted in her a passion for the game that she still inspires others to pursue today.
“Many believed a girl’s place was at home, not on the pitch.” – Yasmine Yasser
Her journey was not without its challenges. For Yasser, growing up without the benefit of a local support system proved to be a difficult challenge. Unfazed, she pursued her ambitions and signed up for coaching courses, receiving her D- and C-standard licenses. These make for great qualifications to help her train players of all skill levels, from novice players to elite collegiate athletes.
Large as Yasser’s vision might be for her own success, it doesn’t end there. She hopes to pave the way for the next generation of female footballers. Not only for the girls, but for the parents, so they realize why it’s worth it to invest in the potential of this young talent,” she stresses.
As a coach, Yasser continues to dismantle barriers through action. She displays that sports girls are capable of leading other sports, male preliminarily sports. Her efforts play a role in convincing the Egyptian society about women’s football and its growing acceptance.
Overcoming Cultural Barriers
Aya Abdel Hady, another leader in the women’s football movement, knows that it is a cultural pushback that female athletes usually face. She remembers her own attempts to get support, saying, “It was difficult getting complete buy-in, initially.” Her story reminds us of the discrimination embedded in our society today.
“There were so many obstacles: society, family, and even the clubs themselves. People just didn’t see the value in women’s football.” – Aya Abdel Hady
Abdel Hady’s fire for coaching grew out of her personal experience with injuries that ended her playing career. She insists that these hurdles have only further strengthened her resolve to push the agenda of women’s football. If nothing else, they [the injuries] urged me to get into coaching,” she says.
Youth programs have grown in recent years, and televised matches are starting to increase exposure. These big moves are key in bringing women’s participation in sports to a more equal footing. Abdel Hady, just like Yasser, is focused on improving the image of women’s football in Egypt.
A New Era of Visibility
This legacy, along with the renewed interest in women’s football, has produced groundbreaking changes. Now, youth teams for younger girls are becoming available! This new initiative is expected to help develop talent from an early age and foster a healthy long-term future for young female Egyptian athletes.
Yasser notes that televised matches play a pivotal role in this transformation: “These televised matches give girls across the country the chance to be seen, to believe this path is possible.” This kind of visibility provided by platforms such as ON Sports is critical in motivating young girls who dream of playing the beautiful game.
Despite the positive changes, challenges remain. Yet Yasser notes, “You have these lower-tier teams that don’t even have a kit one day, no medical staff, no travel money.” This underscores some of the disparities that exist within the league that need to be remedied in order to level the playing field for all teams.
Basant Tarek, another champion of women’s football, stresses the need for local coaches to go back to their communities. With each coach going back home, we’re growing the game and creating more opportunities for girls,” she explains. This community, ground-up approach is key in cultivating the next generation of talent and creating a positive atmosphere for female competitors.
