The first Hijab woman Palestinian referee Heba Saadeh made history to become officiate at the prestigious FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The first hijab woman Heba Saadiah will run the tournament’s matches held in Australia and New Zealand. FIFA has selected Palestinian international referee Heba Saadiah to officiate matches for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. The Palestinian News and Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The first Hijab woman Heba Career
However, Sadiah received her international referee badge in 2016. She started women’s matches at 34 years old. Heba also played matches at the AFC and Asian Cup, World Cup qualifiers and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She was born in Palestinian Heba Sadiah and had a passion for sports. Heba has dreams of representing her country in the football World Cup. Sadiah was a hardworking football player. Further, she majored in physical education at a university in Damascus, Syria. However, her wish to play for her country did not come true. So, she left a former footballer and switched to refereeing by accident.
Gender Equality in Sports
Palestinian Yasmine also received her international referee badge in May 2023 in hopes of refereeing at the next World Cup. FIFA still faces serious problems, such as the gender gap. While the union continues its social inclusion efforts, it is still far from equal pay for women. At the 2023 Women’s World Cup, female players will receive 25 cents for every dollar a male player receives. While the United States Soccer Federation’s efforts have achieved equal pay for men and women, the rest of the world has yet to achieve equal pay for all genders.
Women in Sports
Sadiah represents ethnic, religious and gender diversity in the sports industry. Inclusion of all genders, ethnicities and races in football referees. She promotes inclusivity and breaks down barriers. This diversity enriches the game and promotes unity, reflecting a global passion for football. Heba’s journey demonstrates the power of resolution, strength and breaking social standards to pave the way for coming generations of women in sport.