Hijab Wearing Footballer WEB
Metadata
- Hijab Wearing Footballer WEB
- December 8, 2022
- Content Type Package
- Language English
- Transcript/Script English USAGM SHARE PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV Hijab-wearing Footballer - Luzi HEAD: Hijab-Wearing TikTok Sensation Dazzles Qatar With Her Football Skills TEASER: Maymi Asgari, an Iranian woman from Denmark, is helping change perceptions about Muslim female athletes PUBLISHED AT: 12/08/2022 at 10:50am BYLINE: Iacopo Luzi CONTRIBUTOR: Iacopo Luzi DATELINE: VIDEOGRAPHER: Iacopo Luzi VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, PLATFORMS: (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __ SCRIPT EDITORS: Kenochs; Reifenrath TRT: 2:48 VID APPROVED BY: KE UPDATE: ((INTRO)) [[A freestyle footballer has become a viral sensation on TikTok and the World Cup stage. Maymi Asgari, an Iranian woman from Denmark, has some outstanding football skills. Iacopo Luzi spoke with the talented performer, who is in Qatar for the global tournament.]] ((NARRATOR)) The World Cup in Qatar is not just a football tournament. It is a cultural event full of people from different countries and backgrounds. Maymi Asgari is one of them. an Iranian football freestyler from Denmark who traveled to Qatar not only to see the matches but also to show off her skills. The 24-year-old wears a hijab — something she says is important to her. At the same time, she is challenging perceptions about what it means to be Muslim and a female athlete. ((Maymi Asgari, Football Freestyler (English))) "Don't change yourself, just change the game. And it's so important. I grew up in a country where I'm a minority. Most of my teammates are Danish; it doesn't mean I have to be like them. It doesn't mean I have to change my looks and color my hair blonde to look like them. I can change the game so I can fit it in." ((NARRATOR)) [[Photo courtesy Maymi Asgari]] [[TikTok asgari_freestyle]] Asgari has been passionate about football since she was a child. Her fancy footwork and acrobatics have attracted plenty of online attention: she has almost half a million followers on TikTok. Her videos have gotten millions of views and likes. Her popularity on social media led World Cup organizers to invite her to Qatar, where she has been performing on the streets of Doha for fans. She says her online fame takes some getting used to. ((Maymi Asgari, Football Freestyler (English))) "I need to get used to it, like, I don't know. I don't even have the words to explain it. It's a weird feeling. But I like it." ((NARRATOR)) [[TikTok asgari_freestyle]] Asgari hopes what she has accomplished will help dispel stereotypes about Muslim women. ((Maymi Asgari, Football Freestyler (English))) "It was difficult for me: being alone, feeling like nobody understands me. And now could make the path for the next generation or even beyond. So the younger girls feel like, 'Oh, there's somebody who knows the pain we have been through, and if she could make it, I can make it.'" [[TikTok asgari_freestyle]] ((NAT SOUND: video tik tok by Maymi Asgari)) ((NARRATOR)) Despite the challenges, Asgari’s focus and dedication has allowed her to succeed, says her friend Dalia Diraoui. ((Dalia Diraoui, Asgari's Friend)) "I think she deserves it because she worked so hard for it. Like I remember when we were small. She was training every day in front of our apartments.” ((NARRATOR)) [[TikTok asgari_freestyle]] Asgari has already met several football stars, but she dreams of challenging some players to a match. ((Maymi Asgari, Football Freestyler (English))) "I think the first of them is Ronaldinho, because he's the legend of the tricks. And then probably Neymar. He's awesome, too. But he's younger, one of the new. I watched more Ronaldinho as a kid, then I didn't watch it anymore. And then probably Cristiano Ronaldo. I love his confidence." ((NARRATOR)) [[TikTok asgari_freestyle]] Asgari's message is clear. No matter a person’s race, gender or religion, anyone can play football and enjoy it. Iacopo Luzi, VOA News, Doha, Qatar.
- Transcript/Script USAGM SHARE PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV Hijab-wearing Footballer - Luzi HEAD: Hijab-Wearing TikTok Sensation Dazzles Qatar With Her Football Skills TEASER: Maymi Asgari, an Iranian woman from Denmark, is helping change perceptions about Muslim female athletes PUBLISHED AT: 12/08/2022 at 10:50am BYLINE: Iacopo Luzi CONTRIBUTOR: Iacopo Luzi DATELINE: VIDEOGRAPHER: Iacopo Luzi VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, PLATFORMS: (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __ SCRIPT EDITORS: Kenochs; Reifenrath TRT: 2:48 VID APPROVED BY: KE UPDATE: ((INTRO)) [[A freestyle footballer has become a viral sensation on TikTok and the World Cup stage. Maymi Asgari, an Iranian woman from Denmark, has some outstanding football skills. Iacopo Luzi spoke with the talented performer, who is in Qatar for the global tournament.]] ((NARRATOR)) The World Cup in Qatar is not just a football tournament. It is a cultural event full of people from different countries and backgrounds. Maymi Asgari is one of them. an Iranian football freestyler from Denmark who traveled to Qatar not only to see the matches but also to show off her skills. The 24-year-old wears a hijab — something she says is important to her. At the same time, she is challenging perceptions about what it means to be Muslim and a female athlete. ((Maymi Asgari, Football Freestyler (English))) "Don't change yourself, just change the game. And it's so important. I grew up in a country where I'm a minority. Most of my teammates are Danish; it doesn't mean I have to be like them. It doesn't mean I have to change my looks and color my hair blonde to look like them. I can change the game so I can fit it in." ((NARRATOR)) [[Photo courtesy Maymi Asgari]] [[TikTok asgari_freestyle]] Asgari has been passionate about football since she was a child. Her fancy footwork and acrobatics have attracted plenty of online attention: she has almost half a million followers on TikTok. Her videos have gotten millions of views and likes. Her popularity on social media led World Cup organizers to invite her to Qatar, where she has been performing on the streets of Doha for fans. She says her online fame takes some getting used to. ((Maymi Asgari, Football Freestyler (English))) "I need to get used to it, like, I don't know. I don't even have the words to explain it. It's a weird feeling. But I like it." ((NARRATOR)) [[TikTok asgari_freestyle]] Asgari hopes what she has accomplished will help dispel stereotypes about Muslim women. ((Maymi Asgari, Football Freestyler (English))) "It was difficult for me: being alone, feeling like nobody understands me. And now could make the path for the next generation or even beyond. So the younger girls feel like, 'Oh, there's somebody who knows the pain we have been through, and if she could make it, I can make it.'" [[TikTok asgari_freestyle]] ((NAT SOUND: video tik tok by Maymi Asgari)) ((NARRATOR)) Despite the challenges, Asgari’s focus and dedication has allowed her to succeed, says her friend Dalia Diraoui. ((Dalia Diraoui, Asgari's Friend)) "I think she deserves it because she worked so hard for it. Like I remember when we were small. She was training every day in front of our apartments.” ((NARRATOR)) [[TikTok asgari_freestyle]] Asgari has already met several football stars, but she dreams of challenging some players to a match. ((Maymi Asgari, Football Freestyler (English))) "I think the first of them is Ronaldinho, because he's the legend of the tricks. And then probably Neymar. He's awesome, too. But he's younger, one of the new. I watched more Ronaldinho as a kid, then I didn't watch it anymore. And then probably Cristiano Ronaldo. I love his confidence." ((NARRATOR)) [[TikTok asgari_freestyle]] Asgari's message is clear. No matter a person’s race, gender or religion, anyone can play football and enjoy it. Iacopo Luzi, VOA News, Doha, Qatar.
- NewsML Media Topics Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
- Network VOA
- Embargo Date December 8, 2022 11:14 EST
- Byline Iacopo Luzi
- Brand / Language Service Voice of America