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Many sports believe themselves to be a “global game,” but soccer stands alone in its worldwide appeal. While individuals are divided by borders and cultures, soccer has become a global language that we all share and understand. It is perhaps the most accessible sport as well, one in which anyone can play so long as they have a round object and the ability to kick.
Sports also allow individuals to celebrate their country and culture separate from how they feel about their governing bodies. The Afghan National Soccer team has become a fixed symbol of national pride for the thousands of refugees who have left Afghanistan since the Taliban rose to power. The New York Times hired Istanbul-based photojournalist Bradley Secker to document the team’s first match since the fall of the democratic government, which took place in Turkey last November. His images speak to the resiliency of this team, its coach, and its fans, who continue to play for and support their compatriots as they create a sense of home away from home.
Bradley has lived in Istanbul for the last decade after traveling the world for many years. Previously featured in the New York Times, Bradley recounted his experience at the Turkish Camel Wrestling Festival in 2019 for the publication’s “World Through a Lens” column. As a U.K. native, he has a general knowledge of soccer — or football, as it is globally known — but felt the experience of working with the Afghan team provided a deeper insight into the politics of the game on an international scope.
This story was an exciting opportunity to work on something that had a heavy political and social element, as well as a sports one.
Working alongside fellow Istanbul-based journalist James Montague, Bradley followed the team as they arrived in Antalya, Turkey. The town sits on the southwestern coast of the country, a 9-hour drive from the capital city, and boasts Mediterranean beaches and historic ruins. The players stayed at a luxury resort that provided them a safe place to relax ahead of gameday.
James is a very well-established journalist, author of several books, and has a special focus on sports stories that tell a lot more than just the sport.
While all of the players have roots in Afghanistan, the generations-old political unrest has led many to leave the country and establish homes around the world. The time when they come together for a match is one of the few opportunities for the whole team to engage as one, whether that’s laughing in the hotel or cheering for a goal. Although some of the players still reside in Afghanistan, FIFA has banned the Afghan team from playing at home.
The team is made up of a collection of Afghan men who now live all over the world. From Australia, the USA, Thailand, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and of course Afghanistan. They all flew in to be reunited for this match.
I wanted the images to be intimate, powerful, and dignified, and to depict the human spirit of the players away from the politics in Afghanistan.
In the days leading up to the match, Bradley drove to the pitch every morning and evening to photograph the team during their training sessions. He appealed to the coach, Anoush Dastgir, for better access to the athletes and was allowed to follow the players during much of their leisure time. By the end of the three days with the team, Bradley had established a close relationship with the Afghani players.
Access is always my main goal, as, without good access, the photos wouldn’t be anywhere near as powerful. Fortunately, the coach and the players were more than happy to have me there.
For Anoush, the New York Times article and Bradley’s images would be the exposure needed to help ensure his team could continue playing. Not only did he arrange the friendly match against Indonesia, but he also found the site for the game in Turkey, arranged flights and visas for players, sourced coronavirus tests, and successfully petitioned FIFA for help in financing the trip.
Anoush was also responsible for shipping all the team’s gear, purchasing soccer balls, and arranging referees. Most importantly, he promoted the game on his own private social media accounts and even negotiated a broadcasting contract so that those still living in Afghanistan could view the match. This was, of course, all done in the downtime when he was not coaching the team.
After all this preparation, the team was ready for matchday. Bradley, James, and the Afghan National team all gathered on the pitch in anticipation of the big decision Anoush had to make: which Afghani flag would he fly? The Taliban have established a new white flag, with the Shahada (the Muslim declaration of faith) at the center, while the old flag boasts a green, red, and black tricolor over Afghanistan’s presidential palace. Anoush chose to raise the original flag and play the former national anthem, now outlawed in Afghanistan due to a broad ban on all music.
When the coach insisted that they hold the pre-Taliban takeover flag, the tri-color flag, and play the non-Taliban anthem, the crowd went wild in celebration.
Turkey’s location makes it unique, as it hosts more refugees than any other country. As the city of Istanbul sits between Europe and Asia it exists as the bridge that many cross on their path to freedom. At least 300,000 Afghans have found shelter in Turkey in the last few years. Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August, tens of thousands of Afghan migrants have made their way through Iran and eastern Turkey to reach the western part of the country. This match helped refugees who have lost everything find a sense of belonging and peace in a foreign land.
The fans were Afghans that were either formally or informally in Turkey, and there were fears that the police may arrest some of the fans for being undocumented. Fortunately, this didn’t happen, and it was just an appreciation of the sporting success.
It was truly a sporting success for Afghanistan, who won 1-0 over Indonesia that day. The 600 Afghani spectators in attendance roared as a late goal secured the victory for their team. While the match was intended as a friendly competition, winning gave the many Afghani players and fans — both present and at home — a moment of national reclamation that they have not felt since August 15th last year.
When the team won the match, the visiting crowd went wild in celebration, even throwing down their phones for players to take selfies with them up in the stands.
Bradley navigated the pitch so he could capture the energy of the players as they ran toward each other for an emotional group hug. Between the fans screaming and players jumping up and down, the final moments were a whirl of contagious excitement. When we can see a country for more than its darkest days, for more than the conflict that resides in its borders, we get a sense of who the people are outside the turmoil they have faced.
It was important to show the personal side of a team that comes from one of the world’s most conflict-ridden areas. To show the face behind a country that is often seen as wartorn, and its citizens as helpless victims.
The athletes were incredibly thankful that Bradley was there to capture their victory, and many reached out to him in the days following the match for photos of themselves. They wanted some tangible representation of the value this moment held for their country, something to hold on to in the wake of Afghanistan’s uncertain future. Even Anoush reposted one of Bradley’s images to his Instagram, with the caption “Our memories will last forever.”
Bradley’s memory of the match will last a lifetime as well. The inspirational assignment was an opportunity for him to learn about a country from the perspective of its citizens. It shows us that our sense of home is not limited to a physical location, but can come from the many people who continue to represent their cultural identity. No matter where the Afghan National team plays next, they will bring with them a togetherness woven from the 37 million Afghanis who now reside across the globe.
It showed me the unity that sport can bring to people. By overriding the politics and, just for a moment, all the sorrow and hardship experienced from displacement.
See more of Bradley’s photos on his Instagram.
Credits
Journalist: James Montague
Sports Photo Editor: Elijah Walker
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