Farkhunda Muhtaj
As captain of the Afghanistan women’s national football team, she played an instrumental role in helping 300+ Afghans, including the Afghanistan youth national team, to escape to Portugal after the Taliban regime came into power. She is dedicated to using sport as a tool to help empower communities and bring about positive change.
Muhtaj earned two degrees from York University; a BSc degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences (2019) and a B.Ed degree in Science and Physical Education (2021). She captained York University’s women’s football team and later joined the York Lions as an assistant coach after spending five seasons as a player. She has won many academic and athletic accolades. Only recently Muhtaj was recognized as a Top 30 York Alumni Under 30 for her active commitment to social justice.
Muhtaj was one of thirty female leaders in football invited by FIFA – UEFA to participate in the 2022 Women in Football Leadership Development Programme in Switzerland. She is the co-founder and director of Scarborough Simbas, a non-profit organization that uses sport to help refugees and newcomers settle and integrate in Canada. She also serves as a humanitarian ambassador for Penny Appeal Canada.
Muhtaj is committed to developing and implementing sustainable humanitarian and sports projects locally and globally to help advance equitable and diverse opportunities for refugees and newcomers, women and girls, and to help minority communities to feel empowered and become impactful leaders.
Instagram: @farkhundamuhtaj
Twitter: @farkhundamuhtaj
LinkedIn: @Farkhunda Muhtaj