Sema
Naveen Saeed Qasim, the ambitious Yazidi young woman from SHINGAL, who began her athletic journey with significant challenges, is now one of the most prominent names in women’s football in Iraq. A student at the College of Education, Department of English at Duhok University, and an outstanding football player, she has managed to balance her academic studies with her commitment to football, a journey marked by determination and success.
In 2014, when ISIS invaded the Sinjar region, Naveen and her family were forced to flee to Duhok, where they began a new chapter in their lives, far from their home and birthplace. Despite the difficult circumstances, Naveen decided not to give up. Instead, she began to build her dream in the world of football, a passion she had nurtured since childhood.
With limited opportunities available, Naveen did not stop developing her skills. She began training at home and used social media platforms to document and share her athletic journey. Through her Instagram account “Naven_football,” she received tremendous support and interaction from a wide audience, which helped increase her fame and opened doors for new opportunities.
In 2018, her dream came true when she joined the Duhok Sports Club. There, she proved her talent and competitive abilities, leading her team to win the club’s cup. This significant achievement paved the way for her to join the Zakho and Al-Zawraa clubs, where she showcased remarkable performance and succeeded in solidifying her position among the top female football players in Iraq.
Today, Naveen leads the Al-Bader Sports Club, but her ambitions do not stop there. She is determined to return to Zakho Club to achieve even greater success. Naveen is ranked among the top three players in several local and international tournaments, and she is steadfast in her goal to represent Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in international competitions.