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“It’s always difficult trying to prove that you have the right to be in a certain space,” says Ikra Ismail Sky Sports. “But I got to the point where I stopped asking for a seat at the table. Instead, I just created my own table.”
Ismail is an inspiration. Born and raised in Britain, she has since captained Somalia’s national team and in 2019 became the youngest person to top the football blacklist. She’s a coach, a hijab-wearing Muslim who’s doing a lot to change perceptions — and living.
The representation of Somalia was a highlight. “It was a great experience to put the top on. Nothing compares to playing for your country and especially wearing the armband.”But, as a Chelsea fan, working on a campaign with Didier Drogba earlier this year really came close.
“He’s really one of the players that motivated me growing up. They say I don’t live up to your role models, but he’s an amazing guy.’
Now Ismail devotes his time and voice to another initiative.
This summer, BOXPARK launched its #WomxnWhoPlay campaign to champion women in sports by collaborating with a dozen industry pioneers.
Ismail is one of them, hoping to help tackle the worrying statistic that over a million girls in the UK lose interest in sport as teenagers and 68 per cent of them say fear of being judged is what stopped them to participate.
“It always starts with the same thing. “I haven’t played football since I was 16 or since I left school.” It’s always around that age when you stop doing compulsory PE at school and the love for it goes away because they do I don’t really have a way to get directly into it.
“They don’t find those safe places where they want to play football or any sport. By creating those spaces and advocating for women in those spaces, those are the things that will make these women believe that they can participate again. “
Ismail is not just a woman, not just a black woman, but a black hijab-wearing Muslim woman. What she describes as the “intersectionality” of her particular circumstance has led to greater challenges than most, from ignorance to outright racism.
“There are a lot of spaces where you should be welcome, but you’re not. There were many problems with me. Some were more direct than others.
“I think you know inside that things aren’t right, that some conversations aren’t right. But only in hindsight as an adult can you see why they were wrong.
“For example, having a coach who wasn’t sure what kind of team we should wear. It came from a good place, but it was also a testament to the fact that there aren’t many Muslim women in football, not enough of him knew what to do in this situation.
“There were referees saying I couldn’t play in my hijab for health and safety reasons. Other teams called me names, everything under the sun you can think of. But I’m stubborn. There’s not a lot that could stop me from doing what I wanted to do.”
Ismail doesn’t have to be like this to achieve what she has, but her determination is a trait she speaks of with pride. “I’m just very stubborn. It probably helped me get through it in the end.” Where does it come from? “My mother,” she adds.
“She’s my biggest role model. Definitely. She was a very resilient woman. She made the best of a bad situation at all times. We’re very much tied to our faith.”
Believing that soccer was a realistic possibility for someone like Ismail took a lot from her when she started playing at the age of eight. As they say, if you see it, you can be it. Ismail saw no one.
“If you Googled Muslim women playing football, not many things would come up 15 years ago. There is much more inclusivity in sports now. I look at people like JJ Roble (Somali-born British football referee) who looks like me.
“It’s kind of bittersweet because I wish I had that as a young person.”
The next generation has it – thanks to people like Ismail.
Does anyone tell her that she inspires them? She is laughing. “I’ve actually had that. It doesn’t get any less sweet. It brings me to tears because I see myself in them. Hopefully now there are players to look up to as role models.
“I always had to settle because I was going to take what I could get. I couldn’t get a Muslim woman, maybe I couldn’t get a Somali woman, but I could get a black woman and I got behind her because she looked the best like me in that lineup.
“Women can want to be the next Ikra Ismail.
“It’s a bit of a burden, but it’s definitely a blessing. I know it’s a huge responsibility.”
Iqra Ismail supports BOXPARK as it launches its #WomxnWhoPlay campaign
While progress is being made, Ismail cannot ignore setbacks.
Racism remains the scourge of society and there are great concerns.
“I think it’s important to take off your rose-colored glasses sometimes and look at reality. I really think we’ve come a long way from the sports aspect in terms of the development of the women’s game, but in terms of intersectionality, what about me as a black Muslim woman?
“We have moved forward, but there are things that have set us back. Most notable is France’s hijab ban. I can’t believe something like this is happening in 2022 in a country that is considered developed. Everyone should be free to have equal access to sport.
“Something has to be done to fight this because this is not the way to continue to live. How can you ask a young Muslim woman to continue to be interested in football when she plays the news and sees that an entire country would not allow her to do so?
“The times are trying. That’s the best way to put it.”
But there is hope.
Ismail has ambitions to play for Somalia again, an opportunity that has been put on hold by the pandemic. Her role as Director of Soccer at Hilltop Women’s FC also remains a priority.
“Knowing that I’m giving space to others to play means everything to me. More than scoring a goal or a 60-yard pass.”
Moreover, it is open.
“The way me and my friends describe it, we work with vibrations. What I’ve learned during the pandemic is that setting goals can be exhausting. The main thing is to move forward.”
For himself and others, Ikra Ismail makes it happen.
Following the launch of its #WOMXNWHOPLAY campaign, BOXPARK will continue to honor women in sport with all London venues screening the games. All England matches will be shown on the big screens and other matches will be shown in the BeatBox and Terrace Bars.
Tickets for the Euro Women’s screenings are free, but entry is not guaranteed. Get tickets here: www.boxpark.co.uk/weuro2022
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