“Before coming to the United States, I thought that people here would not like us because we are Pakistanis. Now, I see that Americans are just like us.” Zara Kiani

Members of the delegation participate in a soccer clinic for youth with disabilities.

Representatives of Pakistan’s Young Rising Stars, the 2008 All-Pakistan Inter-Club Women’s Football Tournament Champions, came to the United States for an exciting twelve day SportsUnited program. The 13 member delegation comprised of 10 young female team members and their 3 coaches participated in and observed soccer at the youth, middle school, high school, university, and professional levels. While in the Washington, D.C. area, the delegation also learned about fitness, nutrition and Title IX.

The delegation’s activities provided many new experiences and different perspectives on familiar activities. Headfirst’s youth soccer camp gave the team a chance to see sports as a way to get young people involved in something positive at a young age. They then learned about important factors that contribute to success in sports at George Mason University, including nutrition and injury prevention, as well as the importance of Title IX and the development of women’s sports in the United States. The delegation attended an afternoon clinic at the Maryland SoccerPlex, home to the new Women’s Professional Soccer league, where warm-ups and drills were led by the Washington Freedom’s assistant coach, Clyde Watson, and Midfielder-Forward, Parrissa Eyorokon. The whole group then supported their favorite team at the Freedom’s home opener, where the Young Rising Stars were recognized and welcomed by the crowd.

The Young Rising Stars had many opportunities to interact with girls their age when they learned Futsal with Central Maryland Futsal and joined the DC Stoddard Club for practice and a scrimmage. They toured Robinson Secondary School and practiced with their women’s soccer team, currently ranked #1 in Virginia. Later in the week the delegation returned to Robinson to watch their new friends win one of the season’s most important games. They saw U.S. schools from another perspective after visiting Wakefield School, a small private school. There the delegation attended classes and again practiced and scrimmaged with the women’s soccer team. The delegation completed their week by assisting with a TOPSoccer clinic for youth athletes with disabilities, where they were encouraged by the kids’ spirit and enthusiasm for the game.

The team received significant attention from the media while in the United States. They were interviewed by local outlets, including the Laurel Leader, and global outlets, including Deutsche Presse Agentur and Voice of America’s TV and radio services. They were also featured on the Women’s Professional Soccer website.