Palestinian first woman sports commentator: Taghreed al-Amour

Taghreed al-Amour spent her childhood playing all kinds of sports, particularly football with her siblings in their large yard. Her love for sports was not a hobby for her and she becomes a sports commentator. She is the first Palestinian woman commentator. We spoke to her about how she decided to be a sports commentator.

Gaza- Taghreed al-Amour, the board member of the Palestinian al-Hilal club and member of the Palestine Sports Journalists Association, spoke to our news agency. She told us that she loves sports thanks to her family and her love for sports led her to be a sports commentator.

Her father and mother supported different teams and they always discussed how their teams were good. The discussions between her parents caused all family members to discuss the matches. Even though years have passed, Taghreed al-Amour still has the same excitement when she watches every match.

Taghreed al-Amour told us that her father didn’t only watch matches at home but also traveled to many countries to support his team. He also bought the tickets for all the matches held in a year.

Girls cannot play football at school

Taghreed al-Amour spent her childhood in Saudi Arabia. One day, the school manager called her parents to complain about her but her parents told the manager, “We are proud of our daughter to play football”. After the response of her parents, she loved the sports more.

“I felt happy because my parents were proud of me. But the school administration thought I should have been punished for playing football because I was a girl.”

After years in Saudi Arabia, her family returned to Gaza Strip and she kept playing sports. She first became a journalist covering sports events. She became an official sports commentator after she was offered to present the 2010 World Cup matches. Then she became the first woman director of the sports radio in Gaza and she has been participating in sports programs of Palestinian channel since 2016. Taghreed al-Amour, who founded a sports analysis studio in Hana Al district, also hosted the Hana Sports program of the Jerusalem channel for many years.

“I believe football unites people”

“I believe football unites people,” said Taghreed al-Amour while telling us her journey. She believes that sports can bring different political views together. She hasn’t faced any negative comments from the Palestinians since she began to work as a sports commentator. She has received many positive comments and many people thank her for her comments and support.