Iraqi refugee sisters score FIFA Women's World Cup honours in Winnipeg

Two soccer-playing sisters in Winnipeg were given the surprise of a lifetime on Thursday — first, tickets to a FIFA Women's World Cup match when the games come to Winnipeg this June, followed by an invitation to be flag bearers in the tournament.

Nazdar Hilo, 18, and Zainab Hilo, 16, are from Iraq but were forced from the country through Syria before they landed in Winnipeg as refugees in 2010.

The sisters attracted attention for their story of how they used to have to play their favourite sport in secret, since they were not allowed to play soccer as children in Iraq because they are girls.

"If they saw us, they would shame on us," Zainab said. "They would tell our parents and they would say, 'They're not allowed to play soccer' and 'Why are they playing right now?' and they would make like a big problem of it."

The girls said when they played in secret, every time a man was nearby they would have to stop their game so as not to get caught.

"When I got here, they had soccer at school and they had gym class. I joined them," said Nazdar.

"Even if there [were] boys, I joined them. I played with boys; I didn't care because I saw many girls were playing, so I was like, 'I'm a girl and I have a right to play.'"

Now, both girls are students at St. John's High School and they both play for the soccer team. Nazdar is the team's captain.

FIFA honours

A local FIFA marketing manager discovered their story when he was working on a project about women in sports for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

"We are honoured to be presenting them with this once in a lifetime opportunity," said Chad Falk, a venue manager for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015.

"FIFA flag bearers are responsible for carrying out the competing nations' flags, the FIFA flag and FIFA FairPlay flag at FIFA tournaments worldwide," organizers said in a press release.

"I'm really excited," Zainab said, "even just to go and watch."