STORY: Xinjiang girls' soccer dreams
DATELINE: Aug. 25, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:58
LOCATION: URUMQI, China
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of girl soccer players
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): MUNIRE ADILI, Fifth-grader at Gujiangbage township Central Primary School
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): MUNIRE ADILI, Fifth-grader at Gujiangbage township Central Primary School
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): BUMAIREMU ALI, Ninth-grader at Bageqi Town School
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): BUMAIREMU ALI, Ninth-grader at Bageqi Town School
6. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): MUNIRE ADILI, Fifth-grader at Gujiangbage township Central Primary School
7. SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): MUNIRE ADILI, Fifth-grader at Gujiangbage township Central Primary School
8. SOUNDBITE 7 (Chinese): BUMAIREMU ALI, Ninth-grader at Bageqi Town School
9. SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): MUNIRE ADILI, Fifth-grader at Gujiangbage township Central Primary School
10. SOUNDBITE 9 (Chinese): BUMAIREMU ALI, Ninth-grader at Bageqi Town School

STORYLINE:

Girl football players in Hotan City,
Xinjiang, China

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): MUNIRE ADILI, Fifth-grader at Gujiangbage township Central Primary School
"I started to practice soccer in February this year."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): MUNIRE ADILI, Fifth-grader at Gujiangbage township Central Primary School
"The senior students in our school's soccer team play very well. I admired their skills and I aspired to join the soccer team. My mom said, 'Okay, I respect your decision, but you have to take care of yourself. If you can't ensure your own safety, then you can't play soccer.'"

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): BUMAIREMU ALI, Ninth-grader at Bageqi Town School
"I started to play soccer in fourth grade. Playing soccer helps me overcome negative emotions, and I feel free and happy. I like the feeling."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): BUMAIREMU ALI, Ninth-grader at Bageqi Town School
"At the beginning, I was afraid to tell my parents that I played soccer because there were just a few girl players. It was largely a boys' sport. It wasn't until two years later, when I needed to compete outside Hotan -- and leaving the city needed my parents' consent -- that my parents finally got to know I played soccer."

SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): MUNIRE ADILI, Fifth-grader at Gujiangbage township Central Primary School
"At the beginning, I flinched playing soccer. I couldn't bear the pain when the ball hit my face or head. So the coach held the ball and said to me, 'See, the ball doesn't have a mouth so it won't eat you. Don't be afraid, just go and catch it.' So I gave it a try, and I made it."

Did it hit your ears? Does it hurt? It's okay. It's a common occurrence in training. Don't be afraid, okay? Come on, give me a smile.

SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): MUNIRE ADILI, Fifth-grader at Gujiangbage township Central Primary School
"I've got hurt several times. The worst one was when I was hit on the head by my teammate. Swollen knees and scratches are more common.
Once during a game, I didn't catch the ball properly, and my teammates blamed me for it. I felt deeply hurt and cried. And then my best friend in the team came and comforted me, saying 'It's okay, you'll be able to catch it next time.'
Later on, I encountered a very fast ball, even faster than my coach's kick, but I managed to catch it. My teammates encouraged me at that moment, and it made me happy. Now, when I miss a ball, my teammates will also encourage me, saying that I can definitely catch it next time. We always encourage each other, which makes us stronger. Just like the unity of five fingers forming a fist, we must remain united to become stronger."

SOUNDBITE 7 (Chinese): BUMAIREMU ALI, Ninth-grader at Bageqi Town School
"We have traveled to compete in many places including Turpan, Kashgar, Urumqi, and even places outside of Xinjiang. We have seen many new things and learned a lot of new knowledge by communicating with other soccer teams."

You all have been working hard these days. I wish you all to achieve good results in the competition. Keep on playing hard! Keep fighting!

SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): MUNIRE ADILI, Fifth-grader at Gujiangbage township Central Primary School
"In the future, I want to become a soccer player and also a soldier."

SOUNDBITE 9 (Chinese): BUMAIREMU ALI, Ninth-grader at Bageqi Town School
"I want to get admitted to a good high school and pursue my passion as a student with special talent in soccer."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Urumqi, China.
(XHTV)