Refugee women find relief in Greece soccer
Updated: July 11, 2019 6:58:39 am- 1 / 6
More than a million migrants and refugees crossed through Greece and onto other parts of Europe in 2015 and 2016 and the country is still struggling to manage its refugee crisis using a network of camps on five Aegean Sea islands as well as the mainland. (AP)
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In Greece, women from 14 countries including Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Eritrea and Ethiopia have formed the country's first soccer team called Hestia FC. (AP)
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Hestia FC was set up by the Olympic Truce Centre, a non-government organization created in 2000 by the International Olympic Committee and Greek Foreign Ministry. The team took part in the Global Goals World Cup in Denmark last month — a five-a-side international women's tournament aimed at promoting gender equality. (AP)
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Many of the players at Hestia FC weren't allowed to play — or even watch — soccer matches in their home countries. (AP)
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Katerina Salta, Sport for Protection Program Manager holds the Global Goals World Cup trophy as members Hestia FC Women's Refugee Soccer team applaud in Athens. (AP)
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In this Thursday, May 2, 2019 photo, members Hestia FC Women's Refugee Soccer and AO Vrilission players pose for a photograph before a friendly game in Athens. (AP)