Doha, Qatar: As the world celebrates World Volleyball Day, Qatar Foundation’s Creating Pathways programme is using volleyball to help empower the next generation of girls in Qatar, building confidence, leadership and lifelong skills both on and off the court.
Volleyball is one of five sports offered through Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Creating Pathways programme, an initiative that empowers women and girls through sport.
Today, 36 girls are part of the volleyball programme, with 19 players in the U12 squad and 17 in the U14 group, building their skills, confidence, and love for the game.
Alongside track and field, fencing, tennis, and basketball, the Creating Pathways programme aims to encourage physical activity and wellbeing while helping participants build confidence and develop new skills. Created to increase participation in sport and provide pathways for girls to grow both personally and athletically, the initiative reflects the growing role of sport as a platform for empowerment, connection, and personal growth.
Misk Arafath Majeed
For 12-year-old participant Misk Arafath Majeed, who joined the volleyball programme just over a month ago, the experience has already had a meaningful impact. “It has made me more confident and more active,” she said. “It’s my safe space because I can be myself here.”
Training three times a week, Majeed says she enjoys learning new techniques, including spiking, and looks forward to the matches played at the end of each session.
“My favorite thing is that it keeps me active,” she explains. “My coaches are really nice, and the girls are really encouraging. I’ve made lots of friends on the team.”
Aisha Faesal N M Al-Sultan
Another young athlete, 11-year-old participant Aisha Faesal N M Al-Sultan, says joining the initiative has helped her build on the skills she first developed at school.
“I joined the Creating Pathways programme after playing on my school’s volleyball team,” she said. “I took part in the training sessions, and later a number of students were selected to continue in the programme, and I was one of them.”
Having played volleyball for two years, she says the sport continues to challenge and inspire her. “I love volleyball because it keeps me active and helps me learn new skills.”
Tijana Avramović, head coach of the Creating Pathways volleyball programme
According to Tijana Avramović, head coach of the Creating Pathways volleyball programme, the initiative is helping girls grow both as athletes and as individuals.
“Sport is really important for girls, and for everyone,” she said. “Through sport, you learn valuable life skills that stay with you long after the game. You develop discipline, empathy, teamwork, and many other qualities that help you in everyday life.
