Impact Beyond the Pitch: How Girls’ Football Builds Skills for Life

The JPL WARRIORS World Cup, organized by the Junior Premier League in collaboration with Qatar Foundation, has brought together 327 young female footballers from across the region, highlighting how the sport can build confidence, foster friendships, and teach skills that last a lifetime.

For Tala Al Sultan, her football journey began by following in her brother’s footsteps. Now, 12 years on, the 17-year-old Kuwaiti player has found something in the game that goes far beyond learning to pass, defend, or score. “My favorite thing about playing is the friendships you build,” she says. 

Football has also taught her the importance of communication, the value of perseverance, and how to see setbacks as opportunities to improve: “When things don’t go my way on the pitch, I see it as a challenge to grow. And it makes me want to do better next time.”

Football has become an essential part of everyday life for her teammate, 15-year-old Suad Al Tharban, also from Kuwait. After missing out on a school team, she joined a football program – and, since then, she hasn’t gone a day without playing. 

The game gives her space to clear her mind and has taught her that progress takes time. “If you force something, it won’t happen – you have to take your time,” she says. It is a lesson that extends beyond football: learning to be patient, overcome disappointment, and return stronger. And her advice to other girls starting out is simple: everyone begins somewhere.

For 14-year-old Yashvvii Jain, from India, who began playing football in 2023, the game has been a lesson in much more than competition. Inspired to play by her cousins, brothers, parents, and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, she has come to see football as an opportunity to learn from others, improve with every match, and develop skills that extend well beyond the pitch.

Communication, teamwork, respect for opponents, and humility are among the values she carries with her. But perhaps most importantly, football has changed how she views failure. “Losing has helped me understand that it is a part of success – and in order to win or be successful, you have to go through the failure phase. This helps you correct your past mistakes in future games,” she explains, recognizing that setbacks offer opportunities for growth. 

This year marked the third edition of the two-day JPL WARRIORS World Cup, held at the Education City Stadium in partnership with QNB. Bringing together participants across three age groups – Under 12’s, Under 14’s, and Under 16’s – the tournament offered players a platform to showcase their talent, develop their skills, and connect with fellow footballers.

Kholoud M. Al-Ali, Executive Director of Community Engagement and Programming at Qatar Foundation, said: “At Qatar Foundation, we believe in the power of sport to empower young girls, build confidence, and create opportunities for growth, both on and off the pitch. Education City provides an ideal setting for this event, reflecting our commitment to creating inclusive spaces where girls can connect, learn, and thrive through sport.

“Beyond the competition itself, this tournament celebrates the values of teamwork, inclusion, respect, and sportsmanship, helping young players develop skills and values that will stay with them for life.”

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