Episode 25 | Afghanistan & FIFA World Cup 2022 | Farkhunda Muhtaj & Arni Arnthorsson | November 2022

GUQ Professor Danyel Reiche talked to Farkhunda Muhtaj, captain of the Afghanistan women’s national football team and professional player with the Dutch team Fortuna Sittard, and Dr. Arni Thor Arnthorsson, Vice President of Student and Institutional Advancement at the American University of Afghanistan and a former football player. They discussed how Qatar helped prior to the FIFA World Cup 2022 football players and students from Afghanistan.

Dr. Arni Thor Arnthorsson is the Vice President of Student and Institutional Affairs at the American University of Afghanistan. He holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration with specialization in Marketing from the University of South Carolina where he was a varsity soccer player from 1984-1987. Arnthorsson was born and raised in Iceland where he played in the top football league at an early age. He has experience as a coach as well. Arnthorsson has spent most of his career in Academia, and has lived in many countries in the world. Currently he lives in Madrid, Spain where he works remotely for his university. Arnthorsson has been in charge of relocation efforts of students and staff of AUAF in the last year. Recently 78 students have arrived in Qatar to be a part of Education City life as students at AUAF through his efforts.

Farkhunda Muhtaj is an Afghan-Canadian professional footballer and social activist. She is the Captain of the Afghanistan Women’s National Team and plays for Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch Eredevisie. Muhtaj earned two degrees from York University; a BSc degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences (2019) and a B.Ed degree in Science and Physical Education (2021). She captained York University’s Women’s Soccer Team and later joined the York Lions as an Assistant coach after spending 5 seasons as a player. She has won many academic and athletic accolades each year. Most recently Muhtaj was recognized as a Top 30 York Alumni Under 30 for her active dedication toward social justice. In 2021, she played an instrumental role in the evacuation of 300 + Afghans including the Afghanistan Youth National Team to Portugal after the Taliban came into power in August. Muhtaj is committed to developing and implementing sustainable humanitarian and sport projects locally and globally to help advance equitable and diverse opportunities for refugees and newcomers, women and girls, and underserved communities to feel empowered and become impactful leaders. She is heavily involved in many sport and social justice related initiatives including: The co-founder and director of Scarborough Simbas, a non-profit organization that uses sport to help ease the settlement journey of refugees and newcomers to Canada. Director of Conscience and Culture at the Respect Group Inc Humanitarian ambassador for Penny Appeal Canada. Where she helps spread awareness on humanitarian issues globally. Active member of Common Goal’s Anti-racism project, a reputable organization committed to tackling social challenges through football and serves on the board of Common Goal’s Quality Seal Committee.

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