Young Rising Stars

‘YOU CAN DO IT!’ were the last cries from the opposing team before the triumphant sounds of victory raised in the air from the bleachers of the host team. YOUNG RISING STARS (YRS) had won yet another match and this time, against LUMS (Lahore University of Management Sciences), who are a big name in their domain.1

These young kids had achieved so much in so little time, eradicating any doubts on their dedication and skills. The Young Rising Stars is a female football club in Pakistan, representing Rawalpindi. It is an Amercian Embassy sponsored football club. The age group for the club members is 12-18 years. The founding member and President, Mr Ghias-ud-Din Baloch, marks February 2007 as the birth of the young club. 2

In the beginning, 90 girls from 30 different schools (private and government) came to audition for the club. None of them, the President reports, knew how to kick a ball in a straight line. Out of the total, 36 girls were selected and grouped for the Young Rising Stars Female Football Club, Rawalpindi. 3

Every year in August, Pakistan National Championship is held. Ghias-ud-Din Baloch signed his club for the tournament, fully aware of the fact that they had less than 4 months to train the girls. The reason being: all the girls were regular students. May/June is the session for exams here in Pakistan. And so, majority started disappearing from the practices by the end of March. They regained composure by July and started training with full vigor and dedication. Here, I have to acknowledge the teams’ senior coach, Mr Shahid Khan and assistant coach, Mr Ghulam Murtaza. 4

The senior coach has a set of victories to his name. He was an acknowledged footballer in his time. He started the journey of formal playing in 1972 and played till 1987 in the Nationals. In 1989, he decided to travel on the road to coaching and a wise decision it was, since he had experienced enough to start training others. Now, he is a celebrated coach of football. 5

The assistant coach, Mr Murtaza, has played in junior nationals, representing Punjab. He has coaching license for all of Asia. 6

The young players, trained by the best in the field, entered the battleground, with full confidence. Unfortunately, their four months of beginner training was not matched by the 3-4 years knowledge holding teams. Everyone was heartbroken, specially the team president. He decided to take the whole experience positively. The girls rejoiced, for they had been given a chance to work with the best teams like WAPDA, DIYA, SPORTS SCIENCES and an international team AFGHANISTAN.7

They set a new target, a higher aim, to win the next championship. The club decided a new training pattern: four days a week. With a new zeal and tempo, the trainings began. Before the 4th National Women Football Championship of 2008, matches were held on the title of Super Four in Lahore. Young Rising Stars participated and voila! They won, beating the best of the best. This was a much needed encouragement for the club.8

The result was an outstanding performance in the nationals, beating 12 teams to achieve the national honor. Mr Ghias-ud-Din Baloch could not help remembering his own days at that moment. He had been a champion from the time he played in Rajindpur, Punjab, in his primary class, to the time where he went into representing Pakistan, internationally to Russia and China in 1972-3. Even when he left Pakistan, he used to fly back each year to Rajindpur, to organize All Pakistan tournaments. This practice went on for 20 years.9

Now, two years down the road for YRS, a lot has happened. Some bad, some very fortunate, some players left, new have been trained. YRS has made sure that everybody realizes that they are here to stay!10

Mr. Baloch and Mr. Shahid both agree that dedication, passion and craze for the game leads you to success. But there is no denying that funds play their significant role in the upbringing of the team.11

Football is a sport which is gaining popularity quickly amongst the women of our country. It is always a healthy sign to have a sports association; but living here in Pakistan, an Islamic country, women feel boxed up in that respect. Parents are always hesitant and insecure in allowing their daughters to play at a larger scale, where people can come from all aver the country to see them. It is considered a waste of time and most importantly, it is considered a mans’ area. We do not have a proper platform to nourish and market the games or even appreciate and encourage the girls who are playing. 12

Sports in Pakistan, has seen a great turnover in the last few years. In the recent times, women’s empowerment and the growing literacy rate has changed how people used to think. Also, safe environments provided by clubs have raised the confidence level of the parents.13

YRS is one such example. The 36 girls train as regularly as four days a week in a walled ground, which is not only safe, it is hygienic as well. A female doctor is present at all times to cater to the queries of the players. The accounts for the club are handled by Mr. Gohar and the female players are given incentives by the club in the form of daily wages of Rs. 100. Payments are given at month end and sooner at request. They are also provided with daily refreshments after and in between training. The transport is conducted by the responsible Mr. Haji, who makes sure no girl is out late from her house. A female coach is also present, Ms. Tasleem. Being sponsored by the American Embassy, YRS enjoys the benefits of getting custom tailored uniforms and studs (football shoes). Majority of the expenses are covered by the embassy itself. At YRS, the players are the stars, and they are the ones who are given preference. They are treated with respect and dignity, making it the first club to teach playing netiquettes as well as the game itself.14

YRS is all set to participate in the 5th National Women Football Championship. And chances are they’ll win it again. Spending time with the club of the YOUNG RISING STARS I learned one thing that in great attempts, it is glorious even to fail! The team captain, Sana Mehmood, puts their victories in the words of Vince Lombardi: If you can't accept losing, you can't win. 15

Small wonders!16