Interview with Honey Thaljieh, FIFA Master student and captain of Palestinian women’s national football team

With the FIFA Master 12th edition having moved to Milan for the Management module, we recently caught up with FIFA Master student Honey Thaljieh to ask her about her impressions of the programme. Honey is the captain of the Palestinian women’s national football team and has been at the forefront of developing the women’s game in Palestine. Honey is also the first Palestinian on the FIFA Master.

HONEY, THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING TO US. FIRSTLY, PLEASE TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO REGISTER FOR THE FIFA MASTER?

Honey: I was born in Bethlehem, a small town in the West Bank. I have lived through phases of conflict and war - the first and second intifada took place in front of my house. I’ve lost relatives and friends and am aware that these incidents have marked my personality deeply. I am the second of five kids in a big family which is very important to me.

I started playing football when I was about nine years old. I used to be the only girl in Palestine to play football with my brothers in the narrow streets of Bethlehem. Football became my passion. Soon I realized that sport has the power to change the world and I started pursuing a path on which I could use sport as a tool for peace and development. The foundation of the Palestinian women’s football team was one of the achievements that made me realize that you can fight for your dreams to come true.

Having been involved in football in Palestine since an early stage in my life, the FIFA Master programme seemed to be a logical step forward in my development. I want to develop my personality as well as my career, particularly as a manager working nationally. I hope to enrich my knowledge, and gain the information necessary to move sport forward in Palestine. The course will enable me to travel further, while learning from new cultures, languages and extending contacts with people, which all presents a new challenge for me. I will need to take responsibility to live abroad and be independent.

The opportunity of the FIFA Master will enable me to take sports development ideas from international experiences and bring it to Palestine to increase the standard of sport there. I believe the FIFA Master carries unique strength in its reputation and is at the forefront of sport which will benefit the development of sport in Palestine.

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCES SO FAR, AS A PART OF THE FIFA MASTER 12TH EDITION.

It is an indescribable experience, a wish that became true. The programme is very interesting and it feels like I am living in a dream. The students are from all around the world, I get to know cultures I haven’t been in touch with before and it is incredibly enriching. I am learning every day. Living in three different European countries in one year makes the programme even more unique and I feel I am moving forwards, learning and broadening my horizon constantly.

PART OF THE FIFA MASTER EXPERIENCE IS STUDYING AND LIVING WITH CLASSMATES FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD. WOULD YOU SAY THAT THIS IS A POSITIVE ASPECT OF THE COURSE?

Definitely, this is a positive aspect. However the word positive doesn’t even begin to reflect the impact of this international group. Every one of us has a different cultural background and sharing our experiences with each other is invaluable. What is surprising is that even though we are from all parts of the world the atmosphere is like a big family - because we all share one big passion: sports.

SO NOW THAT YOU’RE IN MILAN FOR THE MANAGEMENT MODULE, WHICH PROPOSED LECTURES OR VISITS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?

I am looking forward to all lectures because I think every single one will be valuable and bring me forward in life. Also, I am looking forward to each visit we’re going to do. So whether it is Inter or AC Milan, Vero Volley, Juventus Stadium or Ducati - my experience in Leicester has taught me that there is something to learn in every place we go to.

CIES HAS A FIFA MASTER SCHOLARSHIP WHICH IS OFFERED TO ALL GRADUATES OF THE FIFA/CIES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY NETWORK. WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE THE GRADUATES FROM BIRZEIT UNIVERSITY IN PALESTINE TO APPLY TO THE FIFA MASTER?

There is no question about it - I would encourage everyone to apply to the FIFA Master! Only recently a group of Palestinian students from Birzeit University has won a Special Prize and they are coming to Switzerland to speak to my classmates and I about their project “Recycling of used tyres to create basic materials for the construction of sports facilities.”

I am very proud of them to have achieved such an award - it is not only good for them but good for all Palestinians. By doing their project and winning this prize they have shown that even in a country like Palestine which is constantly torn by war you can achieve something and maybe make this world a little better.

FINALLY, WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS? WILL WE SEE YOU LEADING THE PALESTINIAN WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM AGAIN??

First and foremost I see my role in doing something for my country - whether it is in Palestine or from abroad. My aim is to foster peace and development and I want to be in a position where I can use my knowledge and my personality to fulfil this mission. No matter where I end up - I will lead and support my national team to face the challenge to be fully recognised and compete on an international level and show the world the power a women's football team can have. Because I believe: when you empower women you empower the whole community