Doha Debates Explores How Athletes Can Use The Power Of Sports To Fight For Change

(MENAFN- Qatar Foundation ) Doha, Qatar, November 16, 2021: The Long Game is a podcast co-produced by FP Studios and Doha Debates that will examine the power of sports to change the world for the better. The show, by the podcast production arm of Foreign Policy magazine, is hosted by Olympic medalist and trailblazer Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first American Muslim woman to wear a hijab while competing at the Olympic Games.

The new podcast, which premieres today, tells the story of sports and social activism, featuring athletes around the world who are fighting for change. The Long Game will highlight stories of courage and conviction on and off the field, from athletes who are breaking barriers for women and girls to a Syrian refugee swimmer who overcame the odds to compete at the Paralympics. The series will employ narrative storytelling and intricate sound design to immerse listeners in a podcast experience that will be informative and uplifting—as well as entertaining.

Starting with the story of the first Afghan women to compete in the Summer Olympics in the first episode, the series goes on to explore stories of the athletes shaping the global playing field, from the Chilean Women’s Soccer Union to the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry.

Speakers interviewed for the podcast include Friba Rezayee, an Afghan judoka who became the first woman to represent Afghanistan in the Olympics; Iona Rothfeld, Founder, former President and current Director and Board Member of the National Women’s Soccer Players’ Association in Chile; and Honey Thaljieh, co-founder and first ever captain of the Palestinian Women's National Football Team.

FP Studios, which also created the hit podcast I Spy, has co-produced two other podcasts with Doha Debates—The Negotiators and Course Correction—and continues to partner with Doha Debates on this series.

Dan Ephron, Executive Editor for podcasts at Foreign Policy, said: “The show tells the stories of some truly gifted athletes who are striving not just to win but to change social norms. They want a more just world for everyone, and they're using their prominence to make it happen.”

Amjad Atallah, Managing Director of Doha Debates, said: "The Long Game shares compelling stories of extraordinary and courageous athletes and their influence on the global challenges we all face. We are honored Ibtihaj, a trailblazer in her own right, is hosting this podcast series."

The first episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. New episodes will be released weekly on Tuesdays.

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