Munira Anwar

I have always been passionate about football. I played it since I was a child with the neighbourhood boys. I decided at a young age that I could never leave it behind until my hair turned grey.

My name is Munira Anwar, a former Libyan national football player.

I began crafting my talent professionally in 2008. As a player in the Libyan national football team for women, I played many games, the most important of which was the African tournament between Libya and Egypt. I also played exhibition games between Libya and Tunisia.

During my football career, I have dealt with many negative comments from society for being a woman who loved sports. They wanted to put me in a box of what femininity should be like. However, I’m proud of myself for thinking outside of the box, because my goal was, and still is, clear. Also, I feel lucky for my family and friends' support, which motivates me to persevere.

Despite my love for the game, because of many problems, including lack of resources, lack of support for female players by the women's league, and the absence of any football tournaments for women to continue the team rehearsals, I decided to leave the national team in 2016.

However, I didn’t give in to frustration; I never stopped playing football, and decided alongside a group of women to form an NGO that supports women athletes.

It was the best time of my life when I started coaching little girls. I saw in their eyes the same dream and ambition to play sports.

My advice to every female is: please do not let people's opinions of you bring you down. Make your dream a reality and fight for it. The beginning is always hard, but in the end, you will be the most satisfied with yourself.