Football jerseys usually tell us who we play for. But sometimes, they tell us why we play.
For WE United Academy—Kathmandu’s first and only futsal academy coached by women and exclusively for girls—the “why” has always been clear: to create a space where girls and women can grow, using football as a platform to empower them and providing grassroots-level training to help them become leaders and active participants in their local communities.
Working closely with the academy, Kimaya Gurung, Design and Content Creation Intern at The WE United Project, set out to create a kit that would live up to WE United’s mission—a visual statement, a wearable identity, and a celebration of heritage. To bring this vision to life, she turned to both tradition and collaboration—partnering with Mithila artist Sneha Mishra, whose practice carries generations of female storytelling.
Mithila art, originating from the Terai region of Nepal, is a traditional form of art passed down from mother to daughter. Known for its intricate patterns and symbolic meanings, it has long been used to tell stories and convey cultural values. On this jersey, Mithila’s motifs are reimagined, with the most prominent being a tessellation of a girl heading and kicking a football—an intentional break from stereotypes, showcasing the empowerment of women and challenging traditional gender roles of Nepal. The vibrant pink color palette of the jersey captures attention right away, but beneath it lies a deeper purpose. This design honors both the legacy of the art form and the progressive vision of WE United Academy.
In many ways, this jersey embodies what WE United Academy stands for. Just as women in the Terai region use Mithila art for self-expression and empowerment, WE United uses football as a tool for the same purpose. This jersey is a collaboration between tradition and progress, the past and present. It is a reminder that honoring our roots doesn’t mean staying still—it means using them as fuel to move forward. Our traditions are not limitations; they are launchpads. When girls and women are given the space to lead, create, and be seen, they don’t just carry heritage forward—they transform it. This jersey reflects that truth: that culture and progress aren’t in conflict, but in conversation. And when we trust girls with the pen, the brush, or the ball, they will write new stories that honor the old ones, while boldly making space for their own.
When a girl wears this jersey, she doesn’t just join a team. She joins a community—one where her story matters; where culture and sport co-exist; where she doesn’t have to choose between being fierce and being feminine.
