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Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The women's soccer world championship is being held in New Zealand and Australia. Today, Sweden's national team shocked Italy with a convincing 5-0 victory. Kosovare Asllani is one of the attackers of the Swedish team. In an interview with VOA from New Zealand, she talked about her expectations for this World Cup, her ambition to lead Sweden to victory, efforts for equal treatment in soccer and her special connection with Kosovo, the country of its origin. Colleague Garentina Kraja spoke with footballer Allani.
VOA: You're in New Zealand, and this is your third time at the Women's World Cup, with Sweden's national team. How is it going and what are your expectations in this World Cup?
Kosovare Asllani: It is true that we are one of the leading teams. We dream of winning. But of course it will be difficult. We know that there are many teams that are ready for this challenge and want to win, but I think that our team has the capacity to triumph. But of course it will be very difficult.
VOA: You're currently at the top of your tough group. Which team do you consider as the main opponent in this World Cup?
Kosovare Asllani: It is difficult to talk about a single team. There are several teams that will present a challenge for us. I think France has a very good team, also Brazil, England. The Netherlands also have a very good team. Sweden. So there are many teams that can win. It's hard to say one team because a lot of teams have developed a lot recently. Even the smaller countries are playing nice. For example, South Africa, I think they played very well against our team. Haiti played well against England. There are many teams that are playing very well. So, it will be a challenge. But we are ready.
VOA: As a vocal supporter of women in sports, you have called on governments, associations and FIFA itself to support women in soccer. Do you think FIFA has heard this appeal this time in this World Cup? What more can they do?
Kosovare Asllani: We are far from being equal, there are many things that still need to be done. It is the first time in this World Cup that FIFA pays the players. It is very important that this payment goes to the players because it will affect their lives and not end up in federations around the world. We initially committed to increasing the payment, but we are far from equal. We are all dreaming of this, an equal world. There is much work to be done and we have only just begun.
VOA: In recent years, and in some countries, female soccer players have successfully secured pay equity and this is considered a big step to secure the future of soccer. But some battles are being fought in other aspects as well. One of the questions that is often asked about female players is how they fit their role as a mother with their commitment to football. This year, soccer players, for example some players of the American national team, are mothers and soccer players. Do these roles match?
Kosovare Asllani: One hundred percent! Hundred percent! It should not even be questioned. You have to ensure the opportunities to be a mother and continue with sports engagement. Of course it is challenging. To return to the game, to return the body to the previous form. It is more difficult for them, but it is one hundred percent possible. We have players on our team who are mothers and it is amazing to see their journey when they come back and how they show the world that it is possible to be a mother and an athlete. This should be normalized. We fight a lot of battles just by playing, but now we want to break even more barriers. We need to normalize this. We should not question it, but we should provide the resources and enable them to return to the field when they want. But it is one hundred percent possible."
Zëri i Amerikës: Emri juaj e zbulon origjinën tuaj. Jeni nga Kosova. Si shqiptare nga Kosova, që i takon gjeneratës së dytë, a e vizitoni vendin tuaj të origjinës dhe a mbani kontakte me njerëzit atje?
Kosovare Asllani: Jam shumë krenare me origjinën time. Jam rritur në Suedi, por e vizitova Kosovën disa herë gjatë rinisë time. Isha në Kosovë këtë vit. E takova Presidenten. Jam shumë krenare për prejardhjen time dhe përpiqem të mbaj kontakt me Kosovën. Ka shumë domethënie për mua dhe e kam me shumë rëndësi që e mbaj këtë emër rreth e qark botës. Prindërit e mi janë shumë krenarë që më kanë vënë emrin Kosovare, sepse është nder ta kem këtë emër. Kam dëshirë të mbaj kontakt me rrënjët e mia dhe të kem lidhje të mirë me Kosovën.
Zëri i Amerikës: Kur e vizituat Kosovën, takuat lojtare të reja futbolli. Si t’u duken dhe çfarë duhet bërë për t’i inkurajuar ato në Kosovë dhe më gjerë?
Kosovare Asllani: Vajzave duhet t’u ofrohet mundësi për sukses në këtë sport dhe kjo bëhet duke ju dhënë burimet e duhura dhe më shumë përkrahje. Mund të flasësh gjatë për këtë gjë, por në fund të fundit duhen burimet për të pasur sukses, ato duhet të jenë në gjendje të kenë të ardhura të mjaftueshme për të jetuar nga futbolli, sepse në fund të fundit këtu qëndron problemi në Kosovë dhe në shumë vende tjera të botës.
You tried to associate football with a gender, there is always a tendency to say that it is a man's sport. But, it's just a sport. Sport belongs to everyone. And every girl in the world should be able to live her dreams and realize her passion through sports.
The question I was asked the most when I was in Kosovo was that people kept telling you that you shouldn't play football because you are a girl. These are questions that I was also asked when I was younger. As an example, it is important for me to prove that it is possible, that dreams can come true. You have to follow your dreams. In a country like Kosovo and in many other countries in the world, it is more difficult, but it is not impossible. Every dream can come true."/ VOA
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