35 young players from the Afghan women’s team and their families, a total of 130 people who are threatened in their country by the return of the Taliban to power, arrived in the United Kingdom, Thursday, on a flight funded by American star Kim Kardashian. .
The footballers, who missed the organized airlift in Kabul in August, took refuge in Afghanistan with their families after the Taliban took power, but only got a 30-day visa.
They landed Thursday at London’s Stansted Airport, according to the ROKiT Foundation, which helped them escape. According to the British agency PA, they were evacuated to the UK on a flight funded by reality star Kim Kardashian.
Seo Ann Gil, CEO of ROKiT, was “very moved by the courage of these girls,” adding that she hoped the “football family” would help them “this second chance in their lives.”
The young players got the support of Leeds United, whose owner Andrea Radrizzani, gave a statement “delighted” with their arrival in the UK. “It shows the power of football and sport in general as a force for good and how the football community is able to collaborate and mobilize to save lives,” he added.
Leeds suggested welcoming these players into their youth ranks to give them a “prosperous future”.
A British government spokesperson said: “Like other people we have brought from Afghanistan to the UK, the girls on the Afghan Women’s Team will be warmly welcomed, supported and accommodated.”
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