June 9, 2006 - 18:51
Los Angeles (AP) -- Afghan girls whose participation in soccer is changing attitudes toward women in their troubled homeland will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS next month, sports channel ESPN said Friday.
"Just five years removed from the Taliban's rule, these girls are helping to spark a women's revolution by simply playing a sport that they love," Maura Mandt, executive producer of the 2006 ESPY Awards, said in a statement Friday.
The honour, named for the late tennis great, is given to those whose "contributions transcend sports," according to ESPN, producer and home of the awards airing Sunday, July 16.
Fifteen teams made up of girls ranging in age from 12 to 18 play in Kabul, their country's capital, despite hardships that include practicing in traditional head-to-toe garb and limited transportation to and from practices.
The Afghan soccer leagues formed after a small group of Kabul teenagers visited the United States in 2004 to attend soccer clinics as part of a newly created organization, the Afghan Youth Sports Exchange.
"After 30 years of war, Afghan girls can once again become leaders," AYSE founder Awista Ayub said in a statement. "Sports are rapidly becoming the gateway to leadership, peace and equality in Afghanistan."
Two of the teenagers who were part of the U.S. visit, Shamila Kohestani, 18, and Roia Ahmad, 16, will accept the award at the ESPYS.
The ceremony, which recognizes leading sports performances and athletes and will be taped July 12, will be hosted by champion cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong.
Presenters and guests are to include Mariah Carey, Will Ferrell, LeBron James, Ben Roethlisberger, Ashley Judd, Reggie Bush, Greg Kinnear, Venus Williams, Samuel L. Jackson and Shaun White, ESPN announced Friday.