First woman soccer team coach in Syria, Middle East

The Damascus-based Syrian Premier League club Al Muhafaza announced the AFC accredited coach, Maha Janud, as the woman assistant coach for the men’s team, hence becoming the first ever woman soccer team coach in the Middle East. Al Muhafaza club players said they were not surprised by the decision, as they were used to seeing Janud within the club’s grounds performing as a coach sometimes or assistant. Recalling, Janud moved along the various cadres of the young players or women’s leagues. In an interview with Al Akhbar newspaper, Janud said: “In Al Muhafaza Club, we are a family, and players know me well. There is mutual respect.” Soccer is a branch of knowledge, Janud explained, saying: When the subject is presented to learners properly, they will receive it accordingly, notwithstanding the gender of the instructor, be it a male or female.” Women play basketball, volleyball, and lifts weights, and comparably, the concept of football is the easiest, Janud stated, stressing that Syrian women are skilled enough to compete with their male peers in all walks of life and break through men’s monopoly. Janud, to note, has supervised the graduation of male trainers course in her country in her faculty as an Asian-based lecturer. In conclusion, Janud reminded every girl who wishes to enter the world of football to first have the passion for the sport. “It is an intriguing game that unleashes the personality and makes you stronger. Unlock your passion and start the ball rolling into a world that is no longer restricted to men,” Janud said. (Al Akhbar, December 28, 2018)
 

Previous related news: 
Syrian women @ war break stereotypes
“Ginwar”, a women only village in Syria
Syrian women demonstrate their presence in senior and sensitive positions
Empowering Syrian women to face the tragedy of war
Syrian women venture into work areas that were confined to men