Don’t kick up a fuss on hijabs

By SHEEMA KHAN

The Globe and Mail

February 27, 2007

‘Soccer moms ‘R’ us” is a good way to describe the recreational league I play in. We are women, over 30 years of age, who get together every week in friendly, competitive matches. I am the only hijabi in the league, but no one has ever raised the issue of my head scarf being a safety hazard (unless I secretly wear hoop earrings underneath). I can see the ball clearly, and the head scarf is not hanging loosely around my jersey. In fact, I don’t think anyone notices it any more. I’m simply known as “No. 13.”

The past few weeks have been good. We’ve had two shutouts, both solid team efforts, and I’ve managed to score in a number of games. I’ve also avoided pulling muscles or twisting my ankle — an added bonus at my age — and the hijab is no impediment.

I first played soccer in high school and loved it from the start. I coached a few girls’ teams and played both competitively and recreationally (including a stint with a team called the “Dirty Sox”). I am also an accredited coach with the Canadian Soccer Association.

Soccer’s a great sport — it offers the challenge of controlling a ball, deking past a defender, passing to a teammate and timing a header (hopefully, into the net). It’s great exercise and an inexpensive way of staying fit. It encourages teamwork and is the most popular sport on Earth — loved by more people than baseball, basketball and hockey (which I also play) combined.

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