Reality star Kim Kardashian and Leeds United soccer club owner Andrea Radrizzani helped former Afghanistan captain Khalida Popal in flying 130 Afghan women soccer players and their families from Pakistan to Britain on Thursday, Reuters reported.
Copenhagen-based Popal has spearheaded evacuation efforts for female athletes from Afghanistan following the countrys Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) takeover in August.
Popal said in a tweet that Kardashian and her shapewear brand paid for the charter flight, which included teenage players. Radrizzani said, "we are honored to have played our part" in the efforts in a statement on Twitter.
The effort was also aided by New York Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, Popal said, read the report.
"Thank you Kim Kardashian and SKIMS from the bottom of my heart for generously donating all the funds for this flight," Popal tweeted.
Popal, who was recognized by the global soccer players union FIFPRO for her rescue efforts, also thanked Radrizzani.
"Thanks, Andrea Radrizzani its an honor and privilege working alongside you and your great and kind people. We are stronger together," she tweeted.
According to Reuters soccers world governing body FIFA said in October the evacuation of the second group of 57 refugees from Afghanistan linked to womens soccer and basketball, comprising mainly women and children, had been completed after negotiations.
Earlier this year, Australia evacuated more than 50 female Afghan athletes and their dependents after lobbying by prominent figures from the sporting world, while several players from Afghanistans national female youth soccer squad were granted asylum in Portugal, the report said.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/24005
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