Sandburg Student Plays For Palestinian National Soccer Team

ORLAND PARK, IL — Emily Ibrahim, a junior at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, recently competed for the Palestinian U18 National team in the West Asian Cup in Bahrain and was named the most valuable player of the tournament.

From Dec. 22 to Jan. 6, Ibrahim played against UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Lebanon, scored a goal against Kuwait and added many assists, her mother — Hind Ibrahim — said.

Ibrahim plays club soccer for the Chicago Inter soccer club, having been part of that organization since age 7. She hopes to play in college, her mother said, and could still play for Sandburg once she commits to a college.

Since the Chicago Inter club plays year-round, Ibrahim is not allowed to play for the Eagles at the same time.

Although she was born and raised in Orland Park, Ibrahim was invited to play in the Palestinian Arab American Athletic Association because her father and grandparents were born in Palestine.