Arab women’s football is here and is making its mark on reputed clubs across the globe. Stoke City’s Egyptian *icon* Sarah Essam is one of our faves and for good reason.
It’s a great time to be a hotshot adidas athlete at the peak of football fever and this young midfielder has captured everyone’s hearts with her impressive game.
Via @sarahessam64
Not only is Sarah brilliant on the field, but she also shares her love for the game through her commentary work with the BBC and was most recently named the Official Ambassador of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Via @sarahessam64
Sarah Essam is nothing short of a massive inspiration for young girls from the region looking to take the world by storm with their unexplored talent. Below, in our interview, she talks about her experience so far…
Scroll below to read our conversation with Sarah Essam about her passion for football and her experiences as a sportswoman
Cosmo Middle East: What inspired you to pursue a career in football, and how did you get started in the sport?
Sarah Essam: Football is for everyone, I’ve always been passionate about it. Since I was young, I’ve been playing football with my brother. I’ve always had ambitions to achieve something through the sport and to try and break barriers and face all the challenges when I was in Egypt.
Via @sarahessam64
C: How has your experience been as a female footballer, breaking stereotypes and barriers in a male-dominated sport?
SE: So far, I’m living a dream. When I started football, I had a lot of challenges. I didn’t know I would be an adidas athlete one day or the Official Ambassador of the Men’s World Cup. I had no idea I’d be doing pundit and commentary work with the BBC on football. Hard work pays off and if you work hard and you really focus on your dreams. You prepare yourself for the struggles and challenges which are a part of life. You want a dream and nothing can stop you. The most important thing is how badly you want to achieve your dream.
C: Can you share some highlights and challenges from your journey as a professional footballer so far?
SE: The main challenge was to balance my education and football and to convince my family that I will study to become a civil engineer while pursuing the game. If you have a big dream, you will keep facing struggles and success-killers, this is normal.
C: As an Egyptian footballer playing in the UK, how do you manage cultural differences and adapt to the new environment?
SE: When you dream of something and you want it badly enough, you will prepare yourself for all the difficulties. Mentally, physically, emotionally, everything. When I was 18 years old, I decided to travel to the UK. I graduated from a civil engineering university where I earned a scholarship. I played for the second-oldest club in history, Stoke City F.C. If you keep working hard, it will pay off, and you have to adapt to the challenges if you want to really achieve your dream.
C: What advice would you give to young girls who aspire to become professional football players like you?
SE: Don’t compare yourself to others and don’t focus on the negatives. Your dreams won’t come true easily but you have to face challenges and keep believing in yourself. You have to know that you have something special in you that nobody else has.
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C: How do you envision the future of women’s football in Egypt and the Middle East, and what steps do you think should be taken to further promote and develop the sport in the region?
SE: In recent years, women’s football has developed a lot. I’m lucky to live in a generation when women’s football is appreciated.