Hey’Ya: Arab Women in Sport exhibition at National Football Museum

Of all the accusations that have been thrown about because of Qatar winning the right to host the World Cup in 2022, no-one has dared to suggest that they don’t want it enough. As the country makes strides with their footballing pedigree, they’re looking to assure the world that they’re going to excellent, gracious hosts of the best festival of football ever seen. This exhibition of photography – which deals with a wider sporting spectrum and focuses on not just Qatari but Arab women in general – is funded by Qatar UK Year of Culture 2013, and aims to break some of the more negative stereotypes people hold about eastern culture. The title Hey’Ya is Arabic for Let’s Go; the pictures featured are beautiful, breathtaking and star over 90 sportswomen, including some Olympians. Shot over 7 months from December 2011 onward, this exhibition has been shown in the UK before – having featured at Sotherby’s last summer – but this is Manchester’s first glimpse at a truly stunning collection of images.

Fri 26 Jul – Sat 12 Oct, National Football Museum, Todd St, Manchester, M4 3BG, FREE, @footballmuseum