Danish sportswear manufacturer Hummel revealed images of Afghanistan's new national team kit on Tuesday, with the women's version including a hijab.
Unveiled on International Women's Day, the new kit features an integrated base layer allowing female Muslim players to be covered from head to toe during matches.
Presenting the Afghanistan national team shirt - complete with a hijab for the women's team: https://t.co/lfzIlyb8fr pic.twitter.com/SxwjXDKQBy
— hummel International (@hummel1923) March 8, 2016
"We don't sponsor the biggest teams in the world, but we make partnerships with teams and clubs with a story to tell, like Afghanistan," said Hummel owner Christian Stadil on the company's website.
"We try to meet the Afghan people where they are, and right now that is by helping the women play football with or without a hijab."
Former Afghan women's team captain Khalida Popal spoke to the media Tuesday, and was understandably elated with the new kit.
"The national team shirt symbolizes all of our culture, our tradition, our history," says Popal. "To wear that shirt and to lead your country out onto the football pitch is something that stays with you forever."
"It was a huge honor to captain my country but it was an even bigger honor to be seen as a role model and an inspiration for thousands of young girls and women in Afghanistan."
Popal, who was forced to retire due to a knee injury, has become the inspiration for aspiring women's footballers in the war-torn country.
"I wanted something that reflected the strength of the Afghan character and incorporated the very best of the country's traditions and heritage.
"I think this shirt has achieved both."
