The era of male-dominated sports is coming to an end as young women in Egypt and the Middle East successfully break down barriers and prove that sports such as American football, rugby, soccer and weightlifting should no longer be reserved for men. The misconception that men have greater physical abilities is easily shut down by the rise of powerful and persistent female athletes such as 25-year-old Soccer Player Farida Salem. “I definitely think we [women] are more open and more exposed to different kinds of sports and we are willing to go against the grain when it comes to stereotypes,” said Salem. Salem first played in Gezira Sporting Club at the age of 12, then went to Wadi Degla at the age of 14. She won the first National University Championship at the age of 18 when she entered AUC, where she was also named the most valuable player (MVP). She played in the premier league and was in the National team training camp. Salem chose to balance her studies with her athletics, which is no small feat. She earned a soccer scholarship to Vancouver Island University, where she continued…
