Inspiring women athletes to pursue their passion
Published: 03:08 PM,Aug 04,2021 | EDITED : 07:08 PM,Aug 04,2021
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The lack of media representation of women athletes especially in Oman has encouraged local women to step up and help put into the spotlight this cause.
Noorulhuda Almanthari, an engineer and an athlete has also a passion for different adventures. This passion would drive her to climb the highest point in Africa Mount Kilimanjaro which is 5895 meters above sea level. This was followed by her treks to the highest point in Europe at 5642 meters above sea level, Mount Elbrus in 2019, and Everest base camp 5357 meters above sea level.
“The passion continued as I attempted to climb two peaks in Nepal at 6000 meters above sea level, Island Peak in 2019 and Lobuche Peak in 2021,” she said.
As an Omani athlete, Noorulhuda noticed the lack of media coverage when it comes to the achievements of her fellow athletes and adventurers. She said that there are women that have achieved as much as her and more, yet very few know about them. And that is why she decided to start to tell their stories and showcase the Omani women achievements, and for people to also know them on a personal level.
“I believe that sharing such stories will inspire and encourage many women in the world of sports and adventure, and can relate to each other through the stories, as we are all in the same boat yet have different journeys,” she said.
The ultimate goal for Noorulhuda is for the world to know about women athletes and adventurers in Oman and their international achievements. So she started an Instagram page for that.
“As a community platform, our goal is to bring those women together through events to create an international connection for them to support, inspire and encourage each other in the world of sports and adventures,” she said.
Wisal Al Rashdi, tour guide, and Noorulhuda started an online community platform where they feature and showcase the achievements of women in sports and adventures.
Noorulhuda says that since the achievements of the women in sports and adventures in Oman is not showcased enough, the platform she and her partner created is established to focus on them, and get the Omani community, the gulf, the Arab to know them.
While both partners were deciding on a name for the platform, they wanted a word that represents women, unity and for it to be in Arabic, Wisal landed on naming the page HUN’na, which is the feminist version of the word “them” in Arabic.
“A few women have inspired me to start HUN’na, particularly from women who supported and recognised my achievements,” she said.
Noorulhuda believes that the Omani women athletes need two main things, one being resources to practice their sports in an appropriate environment and cultural support. Two, providing appropriate practice fields.
“Going across different regions in Oman, we have visited different football clubs during practice as part of the first Women’s football tournament in Oman, as well as Salalah Handball team in Dhofar, we have witnessed a desperate need for resources and freedom to access for women to the existing facilities, basic gear and cultural support and encouragement for them to go further towards their goals,” she said.
From all the women Noorulhuda and her partner Wisal talked to, Anisa Al Raisi was one of the most inspiring people they have met. Anisa gave them the opportunity to cover her story for 50 days where she crossed Oman in a straight line from Musandam to Dhofar. She crossed the sea, the mountains, the deserts and wadis to showcase the resilience and the impossible possible to the youth.
“We have witnessed strong, active, independent women, of all ages, that came together to encourage and lift each other towards specific sports and adventures such as walking and hikes,” she said.
HUN’na is working on launching a YouTube channel this fall to interview women athletes and adventurers. Their goal for the long term is to transform HUN’na into a worldwide community organisation that will serve female athletes and adventurers across the gulf region. Which as Noorulhuda said will be achieved through online and field events by collaborating with local communities, organisations and the government.
A message from HUN’na to all Omani women athletes:
Regardless of all the challenges, you are going through, from limitations in facilities to cultural support, don’t give up on your goals. Use every alternative available and make the most out of it, it may be harder and requires taking the longer route, but it will definitely be worth it. Every step forward counts, and the slower it is, the better, as that’s where most learnings take place.
Surround yourself with an encouraging crowd and we will be here to support you in any way we can.
Noorulhuda Almanthari, an engineer and an athlete has also a passion for different adventures. This passion would drive her to climb the highest point in Africa Mount Kilimanjaro which is 5895 meters above sea level. This was followed by her treks to the highest point in Europe at 5642 meters above sea level, Mount Elbrus in 2019, and Everest base camp 5357 meters above sea level.
“The passion continued as I attempted to climb two peaks in Nepal at 6000 meters above sea level, Island Peak in 2019 and Lobuche Peak in 2021,” she said.
As an Omani athlete, Noorulhuda noticed the lack of media coverage when it comes to the achievements of her fellow athletes and adventurers. She said that there are women that have achieved as much as her and more, yet very few know about them. And that is why she decided to start to tell their stories and showcase the Omani women achievements, and for people to also know them on a personal level.
“I believe that sharing such stories will inspire and encourage many women in the world of sports and adventure, and can relate to each other through the stories, as we are all in the same boat yet have different journeys,” she said.
The ultimate goal for Noorulhuda is for the world to know about women athletes and adventurers in Oman and their international achievements. So she started an Instagram page for that.
“As a community platform, our goal is to bring those women together through events to create an international connection for them to support, inspire and encourage each other in the world of sports and adventures,” she said.
Wisal Al Rashdi, tour guide, and Noorulhuda started an online community platform where they feature and showcase the achievements of women in sports and adventures.
Noorulhuda says that since the achievements of the women in sports and adventures in Oman is not showcased enough, the platform she and her partner created is established to focus on them, and get the Omani community, the gulf, the Arab to know them.
While both partners were deciding on a name for the platform, they wanted a word that represents women, unity and for it to be in Arabic, Wisal landed on naming the page HUN’na, which is the feminist version of the word “them” in Arabic.
“A few women have inspired me to start HUN’na, particularly from women who supported and recognised my achievements,” she said.
Noorulhuda believes that the Omani women athletes need two main things, one being resources to practice their sports in an appropriate environment and cultural support. Two, providing appropriate practice fields.
“Going across different regions in Oman, we have visited different football clubs during practice as part of the first Women’s football tournament in Oman, as well as Salalah Handball team in Dhofar, we have witnessed a desperate need for resources and freedom to access for women to the existing facilities, basic gear and cultural support and encouragement for them to go further towards their goals,” she said.
From all the women Noorulhuda and her partner Wisal talked to, Anisa Al Raisi was one of the most inspiring people they have met. Anisa gave them the opportunity to cover her story for 50 days where she crossed Oman in a straight line from Musandam to Dhofar. She crossed the sea, the mountains, the deserts and wadis to showcase the resilience and the impossible possible to the youth.
“We have witnessed strong, active, independent women, of all ages, that came together to encourage and lift each other towards specific sports and adventures such as walking and hikes,” she said.
HUN’na is working on launching a YouTube channel this fall to interview women athletes and adventurers. Their goal for the long term is to transform HUN’na into a worldwide community organisation that will serve female athletes and adventurers across the gulf region. Which as Noorulhuda said will be achieved through online and field events by collaborating with local communities, organisations and the government.
A message from HUN’na to all Omani women athletes:
Regardless of all the challenges, you are going through, from limitations in facilities to cultural support, don’t give up on your goals. Use every alternative available and make the most out of it, it may be harder and requires taking the longer route, but it will definitely be worth it. Every step forward counts, and the slower it is, the better, as that’s where most learnings take place.
Surround yourself with an encouraging crowd and we will be here to support you in any way we can.