Rising football star Aya excels despite difficulties
Footballer Aya Muhammad from the city of Qamishli, northeastern Syria, during a training session – North Press
By Nalin Ali
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Despite her injury, Aya did not give up on her dream. She participated in the final football match and won the West Asian Football Federation Championship (WAFF).
The player of al-Hilal Club, Aya Muhammad, 17, lives in the Jarnik neighborhood in the city of Qamishli, northeastern Syria.
Aya started playing football in 2016, and in 2018, she played for al-Hilal Club.
She told North Press, “At first, I faced challenges as a girl playing football, but my family was my main source of support, helping me overcome all the difficulties.”
In early 2019, Aya played with the Syrian juniors national team. “We achieved third place, and in 2020, I played in a youth league and won the best player award.”
The Kurdish player has won the Syrian league’s top scorer three times and once the best player in the junior league. She also played for the Syrian national women’s team.
She added, “I balance between soccer and my high school study.”
Aya traveled to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Lebanon to play with against their national teams, and her latest match was in Jordan in the junior league.
“Seven girls from the Jazira region [Hasakah Governorate] participated in the event in Jordon: five from Qamishli, and two from Amuda. We played against Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon.”
During one of the matches, Aya suffered a muscle cramp and could not take part in the game.
Despite the injury, Aya participated in the final match. “I was determined and excited to play against the Jordanian national team.”
“We did it and won the WAFF Championship,” she said.
Aya continues her training, seeking bigger ambitions, such as playing for other prominent clubs. She said, “Like any young girl aspiring to the future, I want to travel and play in international teams, sign with European soccer clubs, and achieve my dream.”