How these Māori and Muslim footballers are kicking stereotypes
By Fourplait
“Football has given me the opportunity to express myself... when... things are going wrong. All I do is just go play football and I'm just happy again.”
Fatima Hussain Ali, who is an Afghan that was born in Pakistan, found her passion for football at a refugee camp in Māngere, Auckland. In her pursuit for a professional football career, she has played for Auckland Football Club teams and is often the only Muslim player on the team.
Nyah Nikau (Waikato, Whakatōhea) is a young footballer who plays for club Melville United in Hamilton. She’s a youth player, coach and leader in football, continually breaking stereotypes in sports where Māori and Pasifika representation is low.
Fatima and Nyah were former teammates at Melville United and they reunite in this episode to not only play a game of football, but reflect on how they face challenges head on for being Muslim and Māori women in sport.
Ahi Wānanga (the fires of discussion) is a six-part web series exploring what identity, belonging and resilience is to 12 young people from Aotearoa’s Muslim and Māori communities.
Watch the series now on TVNZ+ and YouTube.
Made by Fourplait with the support of NZ On Air.
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