Natali Shaheen, former captain of the Palestine national football team, today playing at the Athena Sassari futsal, wins the "Sport and human rights" award, promoted by Amnesty International Italy and Sport4Society.
The award ceremony took place yesterday in Rome, during a ceremony which was also attended by former English national team striker Gary Lineker.
«The jury, chaired by Riccardo Cucchi, jointly awarded the Sport and human rights award to Shaheen for her determination and her commitment to the defense of human rights and the right to sport, which should be accessible to all, regardless of economic, social and gender conditions,” explains a note from Amnesty.
Natali Shaheen published in 2022 the book "A kick against prejudice", based on her thesis, which shows the economic, cultural and political difficulties that Palestinian women face to play football. In the book, Shaheen has collected testimonies from Italian and Palestinian female soccer players to highlight the gender discrimination and prejudices that persist on the pitch and in daily life. He has also supported various projects of the Ponti non Muri Association to create a bridge between Sardinia and Palestine through culture and sport. Natali donated the proceeds from her book to the Association to finance educational meetings and soccer training for girls and young women in Palestine and Sardinia, with the aim of promoting women's soccer and the empowerment of girls and women in the community marginalized.
«I was speechless when I received the phone call announcing the awarding of the prize. I could not believe my ears, I never expected it. I am extremely grateful for this recognition, which I dedicate to those who have helped me and who have always believed in me, and continue to do so today. I am honored to receive this magnificent and significant award,” commented Natali Shaheen.
(Unioneonline/lf)
