The Muslim News - British Muslim team ‘victorious in the face of defeat’

Issue 151, Friday 30 November 2001 - 15 Ramadan 1422

British Muslim team ‘victorious in the face of defeat’

By Roquia Hussain and Shabnam Valji in Tehran

If I were asked to write an epitaph about the British Muslim Women's Team that participated in the 3rd Muslim Women's Games of 2001 then it could be one of several but I would probably opt for something on the lines of “They were victorious and jubilant even in the face of defeat” And so we were!
16 countries participated in the 3rd Muslim Women's Games, which were held in Tehran during October. Amongst those 16 countries was a jubilant and excited British squad brimming over with enthusiasm and “Bonne hommie” who had left the shores of the British Isles as “Mighty, mighty Muslims” and were determined that football was definitely coming home!
The games, not unlike the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, are held every 4 years and are the brainchild of Faezeh Hashemi who instigated the 1st games in 1992. Mrs Hashemi, herself a keen horsewoman of considerable skill and accomplishment and the daughter of former conservative President Rafsanjani, was once again asked to preside over the next games in 2005 as representatives from all the participating countries unanimously expressed their confidence in her Presidency by voting for her yet again.
The number of countries participating had fallen due to the events of Afghanistan. Britain's entry into the games was quite remarkable. Never had a Western, non- Muslim country been invited to participate since the conception of the games in 1992. And so we saw the birth of a new title for the games from “Islamic Countries Women's Games” to “Muslim Women's Games”.
A great deal must be said about the organising body behind the British Team namely The Muslim News team. Without their dogged determination and vision this seed of an idea would never have flourished into the British Muslim Women's Team. The whole squad is unreservedly grateful for the time and effort that was selflessly invested into providing the impetus for turning the dream into such an imposing opportunity. This devotion resulted in these games being publicised throughout the UK. It was no mean feat organising trials, re-trials, selections and team training venues for those finally selected to represent their country and all of this achieved in a matter of months. Organisational skills are always appreciated and, unsurprisingly, Ahmed Versi, representing Great Britain, has been nominated as Vice President of the “Muslim Societies in Non-Muslim Countries” sector. This is a mammoth appointment which will test these skills enormously as the job entails encouraging non-Muslim countries to forge together and magnify the Muslim societies within them and, to go one step further, nurture and support the talent of Muslim women for participation in future games. We wish them the best of luck.
We arrived in Iran exhausted but feeling like little Prima Donnas. Flash bulbs hadn't stopped popping in our faces since the British Satellite News had filmed our departure at Heathrow Airport. Giving impromptu interviews to TV, radio and newspaper journalists has become second nature to most of the girls I can tell you! Most of the girls speak confidently and passionately on the issue of women's sport without batting an eyelid. The hot light of fame accompanied us everywhere in Iran also. It was refreshing to see so many female journalists and amusing to think of our motley crew being broadcast into homes all over the world courtesy of the BBC and local television networks!
Iranian hospitality lived up to its famous ancient reputation and every effort was made to make us feel comfortable and welcome. The army of female translators assigned to each individual team worked round the clock to ensure everyone's needs were met. Our 5 star hotel, aptly named the Olympic Hotel, was a prime example of the last minute preparations the Iranians had expended in holding the Games. This despite a war that was raging onwards in a country not a million miles away from their own front door. Stunningly beautiful, the hotel lived up to its 5 star status by the time we left! Accelerating its opening date to accommodate the multitude of sports women and their entourage meant that minor details had been left uncompleted and so followed some hilarious hiccups which the British team can personally vouch for!
But more sombre duties beckoned as the Iranians held a poignant flag raising ceremony exclusively for the British and Afghani national teams to show solidarity and unity between the two teams for peace, which incidentally was the theme of the games at the opening ceremony.
Flags were raised and national anthems played. Representatives from Iran, Afghanistan and Britain spoke eloquently of their empathy for the plight of innocent Afghans, Nasrin Danishyar, the Afghan team leader, spoke of the endurance of Afghans and their disbelief that peace still evades them even after the end of the Russian invasion. “I see daily the faces of young children masked in grief, some of them are present here today. It's normal for us now. No Afghan family has been spared. They all have a story to tell. Years and years of war have produced a country full of politicised people. Afghans are looking to learn from other countries how to live and broaden their thinking. We are full of ambition to succeed.”
Amra Bone, a member of the British badminton team, echoed the team’s feelings, said, “We wish only peace for Afghanistan and as British Muslims we are opposed to the war”. Only history will answer the Afghan teams persistent and thought provoking question as to why they were being bombed and when it was going to stop. We were left to reflect on the events that were occurring as we spoke. What was particularly inspiring during this occasion was the ability of the Afghans to smile and mingle with the British girls. As they laughed and chatted merrily, their ease was apparent and it was clear that all boundaries had been banished whether cultural or lingual. Only the truly global language of peace and unity was audible on that sunny October afternoon and the words “Assalamu Alaykum Afghanistan, wa alaykum salam Britannia” will echo in the memories of girls separated by geography and war but united by religion.
The reason for our being at these games is succinctly noted by Shaheen Mohamed, by day an analyst for a prestigious city law firm and moonlighting as Captain of the British Badminton team! “It's been a privilege to take part in the Games and compete against such talented players. The message we bring home is that the Games are an exciting opportunity, not only for British Muslim sportswomen to represent their country on an international stage, but also for us to build friendships with Muslim women across the world”. She added that, “We need to ensure that facilities and resources are available for our budding athletes, coaches and managers to fulfil their sporting ambitions".
The UK badminton team played Azerbaijan, Iran, Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan, winning 5-0 against the latter. They displayed courage and determination that won them the respect of all concerned. Ayesha Riyadh did particularly well, taking her singles match to a nail-biting decider against Afghanistan, the only other country with a non-professional team and similar funding and training problems. Lack of basic equipment such as shuttlecocks hinder practice sessions for the Afghanistan team, a far cry from the situation of the Pakistanis. Their team coach Gazala explained how large companies were always keen to sponsor the girls. “One of our best players is paid a full time salary by our national airline PIA to play badminton. We are able to gain valuable experience due to participating in international events as we don't follow hijab.”
Indeed the Iranians were taken back by our strict observance of hijab. Many questioned whether women from a seemingly “heathen” country were wearing hijab specifically and only for observance during the games or whether the majority really observed hijab on a daily basis. An affirmation of the latter raised many an eyebrow and resulted in incredulous intakes of breath.
The opening ceremony was particularly spine tingling. The honour and enormity of the whole event over awed each of us. The lighting of the official Games torch and the lap of honour that each country made was an experience of a life- time in itself.
When I put pen to paper, it is almost impossible to do justice in describing the electricity generated the Azadi Stadium when we arrived to play our first futsal game against Iraq. The atmosphere in the changing room was charged with electricity as team members psyched each other up to win. I think I have an inkling as to how Svan Gorran Ericson and his boys feel prior to a game! Believe me, no England game could have been any more important than the game we were about to play against Iraq. The usual back slapping and “football’s coming home” was accompanied by recitation of Sura Al Fil and Ayat AlKursi! The 15000 capacity stadium being almost empty didn't dampen the rush of adrenaline. We were amazed to be going through the same rituals as professional players would: Entering the main arena via the players tunnel, walking in unison with our rival team as the Games anthem was played, the exchange of mascots and momentoes, the roll call and recognition of each individual squad member (including the manager!). To use a paraphrase “it was unreal”.
The match against Iraq was a close one with every member of the team putting in 110% effort. Our 13-year-old goalie - and I emphasise the 13 - withstood a barrage of near goals from an exceptionally talented and experienced team. The Iraqi women (average 24) had trained together for a solid two and a half years specifically for these games. Even then Fehmida saved at least half a dozen potential goals and a crucial penalty when the score stood at one-all. She said afterwards, “It built up everyone's confidence and we scored a goal straight afterwards. The atmosphere was fantastic.” 17-year-old midfield attack Suhaila Merali claimed that goal. Saira Walji was awarded overall woman of the match. Despite the blood curdling scores against Iran and Azerbaijan, all of the girls would love to be of a standard to play at the same level as the rest of the countries in the next games. Suhaila summed it up perfectly: “It's a great opportunity to play for your own country . The score is irrelevant.”
Our final match was the big one against Iran and the atmosphere was one of camaraderie. Although the Iranian futsal players didn't let up an inch, their supporters, finally pitying us, mutinied and changed their allegiance! “The British team are so good natured you can't help liking them.”
Our revered futsal Captain, Malika Chandoo, a Tax manager with Pricewaterhouse Coopers explained: “The girls realise they are playing a dual role as participants and as ambassadors of a western country. Everyone is more interested in the fact that Britain is taking part rather than the results of the game.” Indeed she is right. Though we lost I repeat the words I stated right at the beginning of this article we were victorious and jubilant even in the face of defeat. We lost but were made to feel like heroes. The phenomenal standards of each national team was staggering and illuminated the need for governmental support towards training etc. Our defeat puzzled many of the contestants who expected our performance to be as impressive as our much sought after kit but who soon respected our determination once they realised the difficulties we encounter whilst training within the bounds of Shariah in UK.
We were unpetulant in defeat knowing greater challenges had been won and huge smiles of genuine affection greeted us wherever we went. We became synonymous with what it meant to be good sports.
Iran has shown the world they are a force to be reckoned with in realising the ambitions of Muslim women. The President of the games, Faezeh Hashemi said, “The importance of conducting all female sports events is to allow women to take charge of the whole process of sports management to international levels and build confidence in their own abilities.”
With women from traditional background training as professional sportswomen and over 1200 referees and several hundred coaches and managers Muslim women all over the world are going to be playing catch up with Iran for many years to come. Isn't it time we all did our bit to drag Muslim sports women in the Western world into the 21st century?

The British Team:
Futsal team - Manager: Shabnam Valji, Team: Captain: Malika Chandoo Rimla Akhtar, Samana Fazal, Zeinab Hajikhalil, Sumaya Marhoon, Fehmida Merali, Minaz Merali, Suhaila Merali, Shabaana Moledina, Zaynab Versi, Saira Walji.
Badminton team - Team: Captain: Shaheen Mohamed, Asiyah Asaria, Amra Bone, Sakina Damani, Tahera Dewji, Sukaina Kurji, Shirin Merali, Aayesha Riyadh.
Overall Team Manager: Fehmida Versi, Team Doctor: Dr Perviz Asaria, Assistant: Kaniz Moledina, Team journalist: Roquia Hussain.

The week-long Third Muslim Women's Games were held in Tehran and Rasht, Gilan province, and 753 athletes from 16 countries competed.
The host country of Iran took 77 gold, 56 silver, and 43 bronze medals and ranked first while Syria finished runner-up as it won 18 gold, 17 silver, and 15 bronze and the third title went to Republic of Azerbaijan with 8 gold, 11 silver, and 13 bronze medals. The sportswomen competed in 15 fields.

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