Kuwait City, Kuwait, May 16, 2022: Bahrain’s teenage goalkeeper Zahra Ali has found the perfect balance between sports and a career.
After playing a huge role in the Kingdom’s 4-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in the opening match in the women’s futsal competition at the 3rd GCC Games on Monday, Zahra let out that she is also doing a university degree in cyber security – she is a custodian on and off the court.
“I study at the British University of Bahrain and I chose this major because it’s a futuristic major as we can see technology is growing, therefore it also becomes dangerous and I’m interested in learning how to prevent the risks and dangers that comes with it,” Zahra explained.
Forget a virtual protective system, for her Saudi opponents at the Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Multi Sports Complex venue were thwarted in real-time as they found her defensive wall hard to break down.
Cheered on stridently from the stands by her mum Atared – who had driven five hours from Manama to Kuwait City to see her daughter play – the 18-year-old Zahra was in fine form only allowing one goal to get past her when Saudi Seba Tawfiq was on hand to knock in a rebound into an empty goal.
Bahrain led 2-1 at the break thanks to goals from Manar Yaqoob and Amira Sowar. Two more goals from Hessa Alisa and Eman Al Khattal secured a comfortable victory for Zahra and her teammates.
“Winning the first game is very important as it gives us momentum. We are the current champions in women’s futsal in the region and we intend to keep our title as champions. But it will be hard work as the other teams are also up for the challenge," Zahra said.
The four teams in the women’s competition – the other two are United Arab Emirates and hosts Kuwait – will play a round robin first round before the semi-finals with the top-placed team facing the fourth and two coming up against three.
With cyber security specialist Zahra keeping guard of goal, Bahrain will be hoping for gold.