Milan, 7 August (LaPresse) – ‘Serie A1 is one of the most competitive leagues in the world. I've been following it for years and it was my dream to play in it.’ These are the words of Egyptian volleyball player Mariam Metwally, new signing for Eutotek Laica Volley Busto Arsizio and the first player in the women's A1 league to take to the court wearing a veil, in an interview with Corriere della Sera. ‘The veil is part of who I am and I am proud to wear it on the court,’ added 26-year-old Metwally, who has more than 53,000 followers on Instagram. ‘There is no single way to be an athlete, I hope people understand that you can remain true to yourself even while pursuing big goals,’ she adds, referring to what her arrival in the Italian league playing in traditional Islamic dress represents. ‘I would like to highlight the value of unity in diversity,’ she says, ‘being different is something not to be hidden but to be lived with pride.’ Metwally, who is also a member of the Egyptian national team and will play in the upcoming World Cup in Thailand, is open about her identity and aware that she represents an entire continent. ‘I know that being here means much more than just playing; it means opening doors for those who come after me, showing that you can dream beyond borders. If even one young athlete looks at me and thinks, “That could be me,” then that's a victory for me,’ she concludes.