Palestinian Footballer Natali Shaheen Receives Amnesty’s Sport and Human Rights Award

The trailblazing athlete has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and draw attention to the unique difficulties Palestinian women face in sports

Natali Shaheen, the trailblazing Palestinian footballer, has been bestowed with Amnesty International’s prestigious Sport and Human Rights Award.

The recognition pays testament to Natali’s unwavering dedication and remarkable achievements in the face of numerous challenges. Sharing the spotlight with her was former footballer and current BBC commentator Gary Lineker, who also received the award for “his strong commitment to immigration and human rights issues.”

Natali Shaheen’s journey has been nothing short of inspirational.

According to the Guardian, the former captain of the Palestinian football team was the first Palestinian footballer to play professionally in Europe and has continually used her platform to draw the world’s attention to the socio-political and economic difficulties plaguing Palestinian women in sports. Today, she continues to hone her skills – now, in the realm of futsal — in Sardinia and has also authored a book titled Un Calcio ai Pregiudizi, which translates to a kick to prejudices. As a staunch believer in the transformative power of sport, particularly football, Natali has generously contributed funds to associations dedicated to nurturing the talent of young aspiring female footballers in Palestine and Sardinia.

With a resolute conviction, Natali stresses the profound impact of sports in reshaping countless narratives and challenging deep-rooted mentalities. In her visionary pursuit, she recognises that football can transcend boundaries and ignite positive change, fostering a world where prejudice and limitations are relentlessly kicked away.

Image from Amnesty International