On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Soroptimist Excellence Award 2025 was conferred on Ms. Honey Thaljieh, Corporate Communications Manager for FIFA – Federation Internationale de Football Association. Ms. Thalijeh is the co-founder of women’s football in Palestine, the first captain of the Palestinian national team, and the first Arab woman to obtain a FIFA Master and work at FIFA. Her work advocates for a world where equality, inclusion, and human rights prevail, using sports as a platform to elevate marginalised communities worldwide.

Ms. Thaljieh was kind to accept the award at the hands of our founder president, Dr. Daphne Pillai, The award carries a citation, a trophy and a donation by SIBC to a cause recommended by the awardee. The award ceremony was held at Dr. K.M. Vasudevan Pillai Campus, Panvel and was attended by the members of SIBC, faculty members of various institutions in the campus and the students of Education, Architecture and Engineering.

Ms. Thalijeh in her electrifying address wove her life story in a narrative that stressed upon equality, justice and peace, the role of sports to break barriers, inspire change, and empower communities worldwide. It was a most inspiring speech, specially for young women students in the audience.

Ms. Thalijeh is truly an inspiration to society and a role model to women around the world.