They bend rules sans Beckham

It's the most popular sport in Afghanistan. And these days, football is attracting the most unusual of players: Teenage girls. Once or twice...

It8217;s the most popular sport in Afghanistan. And these days, football is attracting the most unusual of players: Teenage girls. Once or twice a week, a dozen girls in black school uniform, black shoes, and white headscarves gather in a Kabul school ground surrounded by a high wall for a kick around.

8216;8216;I like football because it is the best sport,8217;8217; puffs Humaira, 17, during a break. She then goes off and does what would have been unthinkable during the Taliban rule: she removes the scarf from her head and wraps it around her waist. Now she moves freely, faster and shouts out to her teammates, who desperately try to kick the ball towards an imaginary goal. When the ball eventually reaches one side of the ground, Humaira8217;s team shout 8216;8216;goal!8217;8217; and it is. But there are no goalposts as the girls don8217;t have a proper pitch. A lack of women coaches compounds the problem. An appeal for help from abroad has yet to yield results. Surprisingly, they get most support from parents thrilled to have their daughters play football.

NATO takes charge of Kabul peacekeeping

KABUL: The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation NATO began its first operation outside Europe in its 54-year history on Monday when it took command of peacekeepers in the Afghan capital. At a ceremony in Kabul, German Defence Minister Peter Struck said NATO8217;s job was to ensure Afghanistan did not become a safe haven for terrorism again. 8216;8216;There is still a lot to be done,8217;8217; he said. 8216;8216;Afghanistan must not lapse into anarchy or chaos. Afghanistan must not again become the home of global terror as was the case under the rule of the Taliban.8217;8217;
Germany and the Netherlands had held joint command of the 5,000-strong International Security Assistance Force until the handover, which was attended by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General James Jones. Reuters

A few lucky ones have access to overseas games on cable TV network. But none of them has ever watched a live match as it involves risk of being stared at and teased.

But the girls find thir own motivation. 8216;8216;I want to play like Ronaldo,8217;8217; giggled Salima, 16. 8216;8216;I like Maradona from Argentina,8217;8217; chimed Humaira. David Beckham, however, clearly needs to work on his Afghan image. 8216;8216;David who?8217;8217; asked Mariam, 15. 8216;8216;I just like Alvardo8230;I mean Rivaldo,8217;8217; shrieked Salda, 16.

With limited funds, Afghanistan8217;s Football Federation can do little. Said federation member and coach Habib Ullah Niazai: 8216;8216;But we will continue to make people aware and hopefully we will have enough funds to help these girls fulfil their dreams.8217;8217;

Despite lingering religious conservatism, some male fans don8217;t mind. 8216;8216;One day when our women take part in international games,8217;8217; said one fan, Sayeed Hussni, 8216;8216;that would make us proud.8217;8217;Reuters