Refugee women find relief in Greek soccer

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Refugee women find relief in Greek soccer

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Αuthor: Thanassis Stavrakis | ekathimerini.com | 9 July 2019

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Many of the players at Hestia FC weren't allowed to play – or even watch – soccer matches in their home countries.

In Greece, they make up the country's first women's refugee team and hail from 14 countries including Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Eritrea and Ethiopia.

At a recent practice, team founder Katerina Salta and her coach go through instructions with the help of a translator who speaks English, Urdu, Pashto, Dari and Farsi.

"The atmosphere in the team is fantastic," Salta said. "I started this program to empower them but what actually happens is that every single day I get empowered by them – their will, their [determination] to continue trying for their lives even in such difficult conditions." Read more>>>