Diana Baig demands facilities to see more talent coming from Gilgit-Baltistan

“Born-athlete” Diana Baig on Sunday demanded newer, better facilities for aspiring athletes in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Diana Baig demanded facilities in order for Pakistan to see more talent coming forward from the mountainous regions.

Diana Baig has also represented her country in two sports internationally — cricket and football.

Having grown up in the picturesque Hunza Valley, she and her friends played football and cricket on the streets in makeshift arenas surrounded by beautiful mountains.

While she had the support to participate in sports, a lack of facilities was a major hurdle in her way to achieving her dreams.

Athlete Diana Baig ‘a hope’ for Gilgit-Baltistan girls

In an interview Baig said: “We don’t have many facilities there and that’s why girls start playing proper sport only when they’re in cities for education. If you provide proper facilities then you’ll see more talent coming forward.

“There is no dearth of talent from Gilgit to Baluchistan. We just need proper facilities to train and play the sport,” she added.

Diana Baig noted that although being seen as a hero was amazing, it came with additional responsibility.

She is known for being a role model for many other girls in the valley,

“My growth as a multi-sport athlete has encouraged other girls to opt for playing sports at the professional level. They see me as a hope,” she said.

“They now say that if Diana Baig can achieve this all, then why can’t other girls.

People expect from you to do something for them in the field. They follow your trends and try to emulate you. So it’s an honour but [it also] brings great responsibility on one’s shoulder,” she highlighted.

The athlete is part of Pakistan’s World T20 squad and she’s hopeful of positive results from the team.

“We have worked really hard in the camp. We are keeping in view the possible condition and preparing according to that. I have no doubts that we will produce some memorable results in the world cup,” she said.

“My target in the mega event in Australia is to contribute towards the team’s success and place myself among the top performers in the event,” she said.