Empowering Young Women Through Sports in Nablus

I’m Mayar, and I’m all about soccer. You can find dribbling the soccer ball with my teammates at Tomorrow’s Youth Organization’s center in Nablus. It’s not just a game for me, it’s a way of life.

My journey with soccer has been a wild ride, but it’s shown me the power of sports in tough times. During this time, school feels really tough because things aren't normal. There are lots of strikes, and we're doing a lot of learning online instead of in person. It's hard to stay connected with our friends, and we're not seeing them as much. All of this is making us feel pretty stressed out.

Despite the challenges we face, I’m not backing down. Every chance I get, I’m out on the field with my friends, practicing our skills. Playing soccer brings structure and discipline to my days; it’s not just about scoring goals, it’s a lifestyle I’m building for myself.

The sport is my safe space, where I feel loved and supported by my teammates. It’s where I find my voice, boost my confidence, and keep my energy positive. And it’s a lifesaver when it comes to staying away from negative stuff. Playing soccer helps me in school too: when I’m active, my mind feels sharper, and I’m more focused on my studies. It’s like soccer and school are a powerful team in my life.

I’m not just in it for myself. I want other girls to feel the same empowerment I get from soccer. So, I’m throwing out the invite to girls everywhere: come join the sports community! Trust me, it’s a journey worth taking.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing. With soccer training on hold, it’s tough; we miss our coaches, our routine, and most of all, the feeling of being part of something bigger than ourselves. But I’m not giving up. I know we’ll come back stronger. In the meantime, I’m staying active and positive, and supporting my friends through it all. We’re in this together, and we’re ready to take on whatever comes our way, on and off the field.