Challenging and tackling society

Sahiba was part of the Pakistan women’s football team that played in Saudi Arabia

Pakistan women’s football team performed well in a four-nation tournament in Saudi Arabia at the Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium, finishing second.

The Girls-in-Green drew the final game of the campaign against the home side by 1-1 after playing an entertaining game. They earlier beat Comoros by 1-0 in their opening encounter but suffered a defeat in their second game against Mauritius by 2-1.

Overall, it was a great outing for the side, keeping the circumstances they play under. The nation saw numerous emerging stars, one of them was Sahiba Sherdil from Maripur, Karachi.

Hailing from a fishing village on the coast of Karachi, Sahiba has overcome many hurdles in her journey. Her family did not allow her initially to play the sport she loved, and she was hurled with taunts and abuse for pursuing her passion. But her hard work and persistence in going forward and not giving up eventually resulted in representing Pakistan at the highest level.

The aspiring footballer was supported by his maternal uncle, who forced his father to allow his daughter to play, meanwhile, her elder brother was against it.

“I was crazy about playing football since childhood but due to studies, I couldn’t play and my parents advised me to complete my studies first,” she said while talking to Bol News. “I studied till matric and asked my parents to allow me to play football, but still they didn’t and asked me to complete intermediate. My father finally permitted me as my maternal uncle helped me and forced my father to let me play.”

Soon, she joined JAFA Football Academy and played there for three years. As she grew as a player, Karachi United identified her potential and signed her for a one-year contract.

Sahiba revealed she had to travel long distances for training where boys and girls practised together. “I used to travel to Mithadar and train at a Kakri Ground [Lyari],” she shared. “My training time started in the evening and used to return around 8 or 9pm. I used to walk at least two to three kilometres every day.”

The national footballer has a strong build-up with good height, so she opted to play as a defender when she kicked off her career.

“I started playing as a defender and have been playing in the same position ever since because I am taller and it is important to have tall players defending the goal,” she stated.

Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) was suspended by FIFA due to the government’s interference in operations. It had been years since the Pakistan football team had played an international fixture.

Then there was a ray of hope when FIFA reinstated PFF and there were chances that the women’s football team will soon be in action.

Sahiba was told to train hard and be prepared as if she had to undergo trial at any point. This is what exactly she did.

“In my training, I was always told to be prepared for the national camp,” she mentioned. “Pakistan was banned but since it lifted, we underwent trials a few months back at the PCA Ground near Karachi Airport but I was not selected over there. However, I then gave trials for the second time at KPT Stadium, I was picked. I received a call regarding my selection and my family was extremely happy over this news.”

The 36 selected women then travelled to Lahore for a month-long camp and out of those girls, 24 were picked to visit Saudi Arabia for the four-nation tournament. It was Sahiba’s first tour to Lahore, let alone Saudi Arabia.

The defender was not sure whether she would be selected for the Pakistan team as her compatriots belonged to better backgrounds and many were settled abroad.

“I had doubts because some players were coming from abroad to play for the Pakistan women’s team but I continued my hard work at the camp and gave 110 percent,” she said. “I was finally handed a blazer, and it was my dream come true.”

She only played one game, which the girls lost but she gave her all in that encounter. She is now more eager to represent Pakistan at the highest stage.

“I was not part of the team in the first game but played the second. Unfortunately, we lost it by 2-1,” she recalled. “I didn’t play the third game but playing for 86 minutes for Pakistan was the best part of my life so far because most players don’t represent after only attending one camp. I trusted my strengths and put up a good show on the pitch.”

Sahiba received a stunning welcome on her return to the country as she made her neighbourhood proud by becoming the first women’s player to represent Pakistan.

“I never thought of receiving such a generous welcome,” she stated ecstatically. “I thought only my brothers would come to receive me but I touched down at my stop there were people waiting and showering me with flowers. The welcome is one of the best days of my life.

“The happiness of playing for Pakistan and receiving this kind of welcome is unparalleled. I want to continue making my people and country proud.”

Sahiba is happy and relieved that people who did not want her to play football, like her brother, now excitedly talk about the game. Even her brother receives phone calls from people congratulating him on his sister’s success.

Moreover, other relatives and friends, who used to talk behind her back regarding her passion, what she was wearing and what she was trying to achieve came and meet her.

“After success, everything is attainable – pride, respect… everything.”

After Sahiba played for Pakistan, many girls in her locality have taken inspiration and now want to represent the country in different disciplines, especially in football. She urged the authorities to provide proper facilities so that girls could train in privacy.

“There is no academy near my house and most families don’t allow girls to go that far,” she shared. “If there was a proper facility in my area, many talented girls would pursue their passion and I would train them.”

Sahiba takes inspiration from the top defenders of the game and tries to do the same on the field.

“My favourite player is Brazil’s Ronaldinho but now I like Lionel Messi. However, as a defender, I admire Sergio Ramos, Van Djik, and Thiago Silva. I closely follow them and how they about their things. I watch them play before going to sleep and look to emulate them in training the next day,” she said.