At 17, Kuerbannisa is rewriting the rulebook on what it means to be a young athlete in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Each day before dawn, she laces up her cleats at Kashi No. 6 Middle School and hits the pitch. While the world snoozes, she's chasing goals and dreams.
“Without football, I couldn't be happy for a single day,” she says with a grin brighter than the rising sun. Football for Kuerbannisa is more than a game—it’s pure joy, a path to her biggest dreams, and an essential part of her life.
Just two years ago, her school didn't even have a girls' team. Fast forward to today, and these young women are unstoppable. Early-morning drills, midweek scrimmages, and fierce tournament showdowns have forged a squad that even the boys’ teams look up to.
This story isn't just about goals on the scoreboard; it’s about empowerment and unity. Teammates encourage each other, local residents cheer from the sidelines, and teachers have become proud fans. It’s the same electric energy you'd feel at a Copa Libertadores match, with every cheer rolling across the field like a wave of passion.
Through dedication and teamwork, Kuerbannisa and her squad are proving that dreams don't wait for daylight—they start before dawn. Each goal they score is a testament to their spirit, their friendship, and the power of believing in yourself 🌟⚽️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
