In one of their first meetings as members of Wild FC, Calgary’s first professional women’s soccer team and a founding member of the Northern Super League, players were given 15 minutes to share their life stories with one another.

The aim was to get to know one another beyond the pitch before they make history when the NSL kicks off April 16 with Calgary travelling to Vancouver to face the Rise.

“Humanizing the experience behind every player,” said midfielder Farkhunda Muhtaj at the Wild’s jersey unveiling on Thursday morning at McMahon Stadium. “Everyone had 15 minutes to present key moments in their lives. You pretty much were exposed to the sacrifices that everyone went through in order to be a professional footballer. As we know, it hasn’t been easy for a lot of us leaving the country and taking risks, and now we get to do that here at home.”

Muhtaj’s story goes far beyond the soccer pitch.

The 27-year-old was born in Pakistan, where her parents had fled during the civil war in Afghanistan. The family moved to Canada and settled in Scarborough, Ont. when she was two years old. She has represented Afghanistan internationally, serving as captain of the senior women’s team.

Muhtaj also........

© TSN