Mariam Metwally's lesson is that wearing the hijab on the pitch shouldn't make the news.

It's a turning point—but perhaps it shouldn't be—in the upcoming women's A1 volleyball championship: for the first time in Italy, we'll have a player wearing the hijab (a type of Islamic headscarf ). It's Mariam Metwally , a 26-year-old Egyptian spiker, who will wear the Uyba Busto Arsizio jersey. But that's not all, because the team coached by Enrico Barbolini will boast another record. With the arrival of the Sfinge, there will be players from four continents: Europe, Asia, America, and, of course, Africa. A true melting pot of different experiences, customs, and traditions from around the world. These are aspects that the Varese club wants to promote for mutual enrichment among the players.

Who is Mariam Metwally?

The class of 1999 She made her debut at just 16 at the Under-18 World Championship , then was named the continent's best volleyball player three times, leading her to seven Women's African Volleyball Championship titles , first with Al-Ahly SC and then with Zamalek SC. Now the biggest challenge awaits her: replacing Rebecca Piva, who has moved to Milan, and increasing the value of the squad.

“Cultural diversity is an extraordinary resource”

“In an increasingly global sporting environment, we believe that cultural diversity is an extraordinary resource . Having athletes from different continents on our team will allow us to build a united group, capable of facing challenges with open-mindedness, empathy, and team spirit,” commented President Giuseppe Pirola .

Trust, respect, and inclusion: the key words for volleyball players

Metwally herself dismisses potential criticism for playing in traditional Islamic dress. Mariam says she's " really proud of what I've achieved in Egypt , both with the clubs I've played for (Al Ahly and Zamalek) and with the national team. Participating in the African Championship was an unforgettable experience. It pushed me to grow as a player and as a person. Now, moving to Italy and joining Uyba is the most important step in my career."

" Wearing the headscarf is part of who I am , and I'm proud to wear it on the court. It shows that there's not just one way to be an athlete. I hope people understand that you can stay true to yourself even when pursuing lofty goals," the volleyball player told Corriere della Sera.

Taking to the field wearing a veil is possible: the precedents

But while Metwally's performance is a first for Italian volleyball, there are others who have led the way in sports. Rewinding to the 2016 Rio Olympics, during the beach volleyball tournament, Egyptian players Doaa El-ghobashy and Nada Meawad played wearing hijabs and full-body clothing, contrasting with the bikinis of their opponents, like those of the Italian team.

In the same year and at the same event, Ibtihaj Muhammad , an American fencer, distinguished herself by becoming the first athlete to represent the United States in an Olympic competition wearing a headscarf. More recently, Nouhaila Benzina took to the field wearing a headscarf during a soccer match at the 2023 Women's World Cup, becoming the first female player to do so.