While sport provides a way forward for the women of Afghanistan, it seems its ability to promote cohesion ceases at the border of Britain, as a recently scheduled Palestinian youth football tour currently faces cancellation due to visa restrictions.

Comprised of refugee players residing in Syria, as well as from the West Bank, the under-19s team was due to visit Britain for a series of matches against British youth sides, from the 21st August to the 10th September.

According to the chairman of the tour, Rod Cox, Gazan players would need to visit a sub-branch of the British consulate in Gaza, before their visa applications would be processed in East Jerusalem over the course of a fortnight. Moreover, even if their applications are processed in time, the players would encounter barriers leaving their strip, as the route leads through the Rafah Crossing (see article: No Man’s Land).

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Thus, the players from Gaza would have to travel north and pass through the Israeli-controlled Erez Crossing – a route that bodes further ill as Palestinians frequently encounter problems gaining permission from the Israelis. 

The restrictions come as a serious blow to a team that has defiantly overcome a plethora of obstacles to embark on the tour, including the demolition of their houses, deaths of friends and the continued boycott, blockade and siege of Gaza as well as the bombing of their National Football Stadium. 

Despite the obstacles, the Cox remains positive:

We have called the tour ‘Palestine – something to cheer about’ because we are sure that many people who believe in the right of Palestinians to self determination will want to come and cheer for the team, just about the only chance anyone will get to show their support for the state of Palestine in a way that is non-controversial. And who could fail to cheer for the positive message that they bring with them for the alienated youth of Britain?

The initiative – though innocuous – appears to have fallen victim to the dire bureaucracy that we are persistently assured is for our own safety. But similar to the case of the Iraqi translators (see article: Lost in Translation), the limitations are inhibiting positive developments. It can only be hoped that sagacity will awaken soon, and that the young team can fulfill their objective.

For further information, visit the Palestine Youth Football website.