It is the right of U17 women to participate in the Youths’ Olympic in Argentina.
This was the reaction of the head coach of Women’s U17 futsal team to the withdrawal of her team from the Youths’ Olympic games. She said, “Girls’ participation in these competitions is their right.”
Responding to the Federation officials who said her team is not going to be sent to the Youths’ Olympic in Argentina, Shahnaz Yari said: “These girls have a right to participate in the tournaments. Why do they easily pass on their rights?”
Criticizing the federation’s prioritization, she said it was possible to send both boys’ and girls’ teams. “We were told to first win our place in the games for them to make the subsequent decision. But now, they have withdrawn the girls’ team and decided to send the boys while the boys’ team has been formed for only six months.”
Pointing to the history of the girls’ team, she said, “Women’s futsal team has been strong, winning two rounds of Asian championship. Why do we have to be deprived of our right and chance to participate in the Olympic tournaments?”
Yari disparaged lack of support for women’s sports and added, “The girls’ team has always been successful in world tournaments despite all the shortcomings; why don’t we use the opportunity of Olympic games for showing the girls’ presence?” (The state-run IRNA news agency- May 14, 2018)
