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Former Bahrain national team forward Reem Yusuf Alhashmi brought pride to the kingdom by participating in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in an official capacity on the pitch and her goal is to continue serving in competitions.
The 36-year-old police officer from Muharraq was one of the founding players in the national squad, having scored an impressive tally of more than 51 goals in official matches, and even more in unofficial games.
And while her play-time may have ended, her love for football has not as she took part in a FIFA workshop held in Zurich in 2016 that opened many doors for her. She became a FIFA safety and security officer participating in several major competitions in France, Jordan and India, including the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. It was hosted this year by Australia and New Zealand.
“Contributing to the game that I love and to live the dream of being in the World Cup, even if I am not a participating player, was simply amazing!” said Alhashmi. “One day, our team will reach the World Cup.”
She is grateful to a discussion she had with Bahrain team manager Shaikha Hussa bint Khalid Al Khalifa that helped set her on this path after retiring as a player.
“She mentioned that FIFA was looking for females with specific skills to contribute to the world of football,” Alhashmi said. “Her suggestion opened up a potential avenue for me to stay involved in the sport. Football has been more than just a career for me; it has been a lifelong passion. The sport has taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, resilience and the pursuit of excellence.”
According to Alhashmi, a FIFA safety and security officer must implement and oversee all security measures, co-ordinate with local authorities and law enforcement agencies, conduct risk assessments, develop emergency response plans and monitor crowd control.
“By ensuring their safety, I can contribute to the overall positive experience of the game and help create lasting memories for everyone involved,” she said.
She is now eagerly looking forward to the upcoming Olympics in France and the AFC Cup in Qatar.
“These opportunities will allow me to contribute to the sport and continue pursuing my passion for football,” said Alhashmi who loves the fast-paced nature, skilful manoeuvres and suspense of the game. “I am excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and I am committed to working hard and giving my best.”
Her love for the game started when she was a child playing in the local parks to hone her skills.
“Those early experiences ignited a fire within me to pursue a career in football,” said Alhashmi, who was inspired to take up the sport by her father, mentor and former player, Yusuf Alhashmi.
“As I grew older, my talent and dedication to the game became more evident. I joined a local youth team and quickly made a name for myself on the field. This led to opportunities to play at higher levels and I seized every chance to showcase my abilities.”
Throughout her career, she consistently pushed herself to new heights and her hard work paid off as she eventually earned a place on the national team.
“Becoming the captain was a tremendous honour and responsibility,” she said. “It was a testament to the trust and respect my teammates and coaches had in my leadership abilities. I embraced the role and strived to lead by example on and off the field, instilling a winning mentality and fostering a sense of unity among the squad.”
Over the years, she has achieved numerous milestones including being crowned the top goal scorer in the WAFF competition, setting a record for the highest number of goals and participating in both Olympic qualifiers and AFC Cup qualifiers.
“I am proud to hold the record for the most goals scored and the most appearances for the national team, a testament to my longevity and consistency as a player,” she added. “These records are not just personal achievements, but also reflect the support and dedication of my teammates and coaches who have helped me along the way.
“I am grateful for the incredible opportunities and experiences that football has provided me, and I am excited to continue making a positive impact in the game for as long as I can.”
