Iranian women Soccer Team disqualified from the 2012 Summer Olympics

Muslim player headscarves cause another controversy after the hulabaloo created in France by Nicolas Sarkozy. This time, it strikes as a clear cut form of differentiation.

Unfortunately, the defeats in the 2012 Summer Olympics have been granted even before the real matches begin. Its not about match-fixing, but definitely about prejudices. The Iranian women’s soccer team has been sidelines even before they would materialise their innocent dreams of competiting in the next year’s Olympics because of their headscarves.

The Washington Post reports that the International Football Association has cancelled their match against Jordan on the basis of their dress code.

Hence, the Iranian women paid the price of wearing a headscarf.

Iranian players had not option but to leave the field, crying.

Highly dejected by the rejection, Shahrzad Mozafar, the soccer head of the team stated that ‘this means that the soccer future in Iran is over.’

The doomsday melts into the ignominy of instant deletion of better opportunities because the Iranian government would definitely not support sending the women team for international soccer matches without the headscarves.

Adding more to the controversy, an anonymous official from the FIFA stated that the ban was imposed for the safety of the women. What safety does having/not having a head scarf implement does not make sense for me.

Definitely, the main matter of concern is the importance given to the dress code rather than the potential of the players. Sadly, Iran had to face similar problems in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games which were held in Singapore. Somehow, that issue got resolved. This one, being of more international nature and exposure would definitely be a challenge.

Also, its difficult to fight against the growing norm that the West is trying to impose their own lifestyle on other countries through these mandatory bans which are not explained in a professional manner. Also, the entire sudden act of not allowing the team to play, at the last hour, does not speak of justice.

‘Where is the future?’

Once Barack Obama had spoken about the right of women to wear what they want. But every country is not and can not be America. No doubt, the easiest bit is to empathise with those players who never got a chance to play. First of all, in countries such as Iran, the very fact that girls/women choose to play soccer is a big deal. This act of courage should be appreciated.

But instead, these women have to face the brunt of being lost between their religion and their international appeal. The dress code of any game should be aiming for protection and not deduction of the players. In the longer run, the story would be perhaps forgotten and other teams would be pushing and elbowing to carve their niche on the charts.

But Iranian women do not deserve it. In fact, no one does.

Credit: Photo from Reuters

Michelle Obama’s visit to South Africa, another first lady tradition of US

Michelle Obama plans to visit South Africa and Botswana in mid June

Michelle Obama has chosen to go beyond the front cover of the Vogue magazine to actually polishing her image of an adviser, a mentor and a change-maker who advertises healthy eating habits.

Interestingly, the American history reveals that the various first ladies have always connected themselves with one serious cause or the other. For example, Mrs. Reagan was known to work on the drug issues haunting the country. While, Barbara Bush was recognised for her work dealing with the education and literacy rates of the adults.

And now is Michelle Obama’s turn.

The United States First Lady Michelle Obama confirmed her visit to South Africa and Botswana from June 21-26, the White House officials notify.

Accompanied by her mother Mrs. Robinson and her two daughters Sasha and Malia, its the second solo foreign trip of Michelle Obama on her own.

Last year in an interview with The NewYork Times, Michelle Obama had revealed that it was also a challenge to help her mother and daughters settle in Washington DC after spending most of their lifetime in Chicago.

Hence, the trip definitely reveals that the first lady had been able to manage the family tasks and is now looking for bigger and better perspectives of enhancing her international essence.

‘The four main goals’

Youth leadership, education, health and wellness are the main goals behind the visit. Mrs. Obama also plans to appreciate the political governance, economic opportunity, democracy and impact of education which has been witnessed by the African countries in the past years.

Most importantly, the trip would also create awareness regarding the stable societies, vast natural resources and economy importance in Botswana.

Michelle Obama also plans to encouage the importance of international exposure and necessity of education in US and African through her visit. The trip is also perceived as an exemplary continuation of the Obama’s work in Chile, Brazil, India, Mexico and US.

This visit also coincides with the Youth month in South Africa which thereby would aid in the establishment of people to people communication and enhanced focus of energy.

‘Role model for women’

Clayson Monyela, the spokesperson of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation states that the trip would play an important role in encouraging the youth of the country.

Meanwhile,  Mrs. Obama would give a keynote address to the US Sponsored Young African women leaders in Africa. In the past years, Obama has emerged as a role model for women at the international platform.

Mrs. Obama was also lately in the news for comforting a South African war photograher Joao Silvia and his parents who were present in a hospital in Washington DC. She questioned about his therapy and the various injuries that he had sustained.

No doubt, Mrs. Obama who was has made headlines for the ‘hug with Queen Elizabeth’ and also ‘her great great grandmother being slave’ is all set to associate herself with long lasting humanitarian causes.