On the FIFA field

"The magnitude of the event did not sink in until things around Qatar started to look ready to receive FIFA World Cup guests and everything around was lit up and buzzing. Zerxes thought we were crazy to stay back in the madness and even more to be a part of it,” stated Parizad Avari of Doha when responding to queries from Parsiana. She was referring to her husband’s reaction, knowing that their daughters Kianne and Dalysya, despite being on six weeks’ vacation from English School, had agreed along with some other school mates to escort the Netherlands team, playing against Senegal in the FIFA games, to the football pitch at the Thumama Stadium.

For the 22nd FIFA World Cup from November 20 to December 18, 2022 in Qatar, 32 men’s national teams from five confederations are vying for the trophy. Founded in 1904 to provide unity among national soccer associations, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) boasts 211 members.
Nine-year-old Dalysya who is in grade five was a player escort for Virgil van Dijk, the Netherlands team captain who also plays as a center-back for Premier League Club, Liverpool. Thirteen-year-old Kianne who is in grade eight was the flag bearer and held the Netherlands flag along with five other children as they always do before any football game. "The organizers had instructed the kids not to interact with the players unless the footballers did because pre-match is a very crucial time. But we saw van Dijk talking to Dalysya live on television when they were lined up in the tunnel just before they headed out on the field. He asked her name and her favorite food… Kianne was jumping with joy when she came back and was in utter disbelief. She said that all the players who passed by said hellos and gave fist bumps and high fives, even their coach,” reported the mother.
Parizad, a school teacher, and Zerxes, a hospitality professional, received an email in August enquiring if they would like their children to be included among the 40-student contingent from the School to one of the FIFA games. They had to make a commitment that they would be available since schools in Qatar would be breaking for FIFA and the winter holidays on November 16, and many expat children/families would be away during this unusually long winter festive season. "Qatar is a small country with a population of less than three million and we were getting ready to host a major event,” observed Parizad who has been residing in this country for 18 years. "I was extremely excited about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she admitted.
Dalysya and Kianne play football at school as part of their physical education curriculum, mentioned Parizad. "Both were great at gymnastics before Covid but lost touch and interest after having to stay away from it. They now train in badminton. Dalysya enjoys music and anything to do with sports. Kianne loves playing volleyball, reading, doodling and drawing. She is an illustrator for the School press team,” stated the mother.