Afghan Women Battle the Taliban 1 Kick at a Time

Just by kicking the ball these Afghan women are taking on their fiercest opponent - the Taliban, reports CBS News correspondent Mandy Clark.

When the Taliban was in power, no woman was allowed to play sports and female prisoners were publicly executed at Kabul's soccer stadium.

So having women take to the field is seen as a direct challenge to the militants. They practice every other day, but rarely play matches in Afghanistan.

There is no Afghan soccer league here. The women often play each other for fun, but the game can come with danger because some of the players face death threats.

Khatol Shahzad Amarkhel quit for three months because of the Taliban.

"Someone called my home number," she says. "He promised to kill me if I continued to play. I changed my number, but I am still scared."

Sajay Sahar, 19, was told to stop playing by family friends, but she didn't listen either. She's a top scorer for the team, but she really only has one goal in mind.

"It is my only wish to be a famous player in my country - and in the world," said Sahar.

And playing soccer has let the team see more of the world. They have traveled to Germany, Jordan and China for matches.

They also recently played coalition forces in Afghanistan and won 1-0. And they continue to try to push the boundaries.

"They say stop playing, but I cannot stop playing," said Sahar. "I can stop living, but I cannot stop playing football.

Soccer is more than a game for these women. Sahar sees it as a form of protest. By taking on the Taliban head on, she believes, it will help bring about their defeat.

[Tastesen]

Here's a subtitled video with more info
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g97Ns6jOKk4

[redwilma]

I want to help the women of Afghanistan. I'm just not sure we're on the right course there now.

[hamsterattack]

the taliban are an embarrassment to humanity. it's time they were run out of town by level headed muslims, not the american army. bring the boys back home.

[wyodutch]

A hysterical history lesson for you rabid taliban-haters.


12/14/1997

THE Taliban, Afghanistan's Islamic fundamentalist army, is about to sign a $2 billion contract with an American oil company to build a pipeline across the war-torn country.

The Islamic warriors appear to have been persuaded to close the deal, not through delicate negotiation but by old-fashioned Texan hospitality. Last week Unocal, the Houston-based company bidding to build the 876-mile pipeline from Turkmenistan to Pakistan, invited the Taliban to visit them in Texas. Dressed in traditional salwar khameez, Afghan waistcoats and loose, black turbans, the high-ranking delegation was given VIP treatment during the four-day stay.

The Taliban ministers and their advisers stayed in a five-star hotel and were chauffeured in a company minibus. Their only requests were to visit Houston's zoo, the Nasa space centre and Omaha's Super Target discount store to buy stockings, toothpaste, combs and soap. The Taliban, which controls two-thirds of Afghanistan and is still fighting for the last third, was also given an insight into how the other half lives.

[wyodutch]

Fantastic story!
.
If there were ever a good reason for American troops to die in Afghanistan... a woman's soccer game has to be at the top of the list!
.
Hoooooaaaaa!

[usveteranscrewed]

For a BIGGER STORY, watch: 'Geithner Funding Georgian Mafia' on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G2cs8NEbs8