Early on Thursday morning, Afghanistan’s girls’ soccer development team landed at Stansted Airport in London. More than 30 players and their families – a total of about 130 people – had been flown there in a plane chartered by Kim Kardashian.
Kardashian carried out his rescue operation after a conversation with Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, founder of the charity Tzedek Association.
– Maybe an hour later, after our Zoom conversation, I received a text message where Kim wrote that she wanted to pay for the entire flight, Margaretten says according to AP.
The players will now be in corona quarantine for ten days before they can start their new lives in the UK. There, the Premier League club Leeds United has offered their help.
Leeds President Andrea Radrizzani tweets:
“The first chapter written today. When I got the call to help and save the youth team from Afghanistan, I did not know where to start. Today they flew to Britain. Proud to be part of the team that made it possible. Let’s dream that one day they will play for Leeds United. “
Women athletes have been seen as taking a political stand against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Since the terrorist group regained power in Afghanistan, hundreds of women athletes have fled the country.
Khalida Popal was previously captain of Afghanistan’s women’s national team and has been instrumental in trying to get female athletes out of Afghanistan.
– I am so happy and so relieved, she says to AP.
– Many in their families fled their homes when the Taliban took over. Their home was burned down. Some family members were killed or captured by the Taliban. The danger was very great, so it was important to get them out of Afghanistan quickly.
