How the First-Ever Qualified Woman Cricket Coach in Kashmir Is Breaking Stereotypes in the Valley

As Akhtar selectively proceeds in the playground as their players aligned in sweatpants, she calls to the girl: "How many rounds have you done so far?" You have a few quite ready, but she is not satisfied. "A few more are needed they warmed up before starting the practice," she says. Obviously Akhtar is careful and committed, qualities that initially helped her hone her skills as a player and now they provide a remarkable number of potential female cricketers to train, which may be able to leave a dream to fulfill.

From when she was a little girl, Akhtar knew she was different, because unlike most girls, loved the house playing with their Barbie dolls, she was always looking for ways to get out of her house and Cricket play. She loved to run, catch and hit the ball out of the park. "I started at a very early age to play, which is a good thing. But my journey as a cricketer was a very difficult question, because it want to pursue is not much social acceptance for girls sports. I had the really within the family and . get up wider community to resist I played with boys and it was never in order to do that, but what I could do;. girl not interested in playing were, "she shares.

However, Akhtar is regret not to keep their decision to their stand. "There has traditionally been a game of the men I knew there had to be challenges. And in general everything is difficult for girls in Kashmir, as there are several social restrictions and burdens. One need only have strong willpower to the obstacles to overcome ", developed it.

It is mainly thanks to this positive attitude that Akhtar can make from playing Gully Cricket their presence felt at the university level and was to be completed later played at the interzonal games ahead of the Rani Jhansi Trophy. You could easily made a bid for the games in the big leagues, but it was impossible, "with all the serious rejection and everyday warnings at home" to carry. They finally gave in. "I could not play for the country, because I was not able to stand to family pressure. I the game at a time I left began at my full potential to meet the players," rues Akhtar.
This was a way in which I knew I could stay in touch with cricket. I wanted to make myself useful and share my skills and techniques, with the younger generation. Coaching the perfect platform presents to give on my expertise and understanding of the game, "says the first ever qualified female cricket coach in Kashmir.

Today as cricket coach at Kashmir University in the last eight years Akhtar has many potential players from different parts of the country come out. "We have girls come in from remote areas. In the past year we have a girl from Pahalgam in Kashmir had south, who now plays from the Punjab," she informed. Incidentally, another former student of Akhtar has for the past three years represent Punjab. Jasia Akhtar has impressed everyone-protect with their batting style that is perfect for the T20 format of the game.

Although things are changing, and the people of girls are more accepting to sports press, believes Akhtar that more efforts need to be made in the field, of which offer a better infrastructure, improved coaching and match practice. "There must be more money for the game at the state level. There is no correct coaching camps for girls and while there are local tournaments for boys, there are none for the girls. So if they do not get to play, how can they develop a game temperament Only regular practice, they can not teach you everything you need to know, ready for members to be, they will have with different teams or against all types of players to play, to learn the tricks of the trade . Unfortunately did not get much exposure at a local level, our girls and then they are conveyed directly to the national level. This is the main reason for their failure there, "she says.



Even when your girl is running around the park to watch closely, there are a number of boys who happen to stop over derogatory comments about them. "Look at the environment in which we work. Even in college, keep people staring while we practice. I tolerate a lot, but these young girls would get demoralized," she says.
Asra Shafi, 23, is a temperamental player who hopes to play at the national level. Lean and fair, she is willing to do what it takes. "I wish to present my state, and I will work hard to get there," says a determined Shafi, with a big smile on her face.

Shafi had started playing when she was at school and her passion, is only grown since they picked up for the first time the bat. These days, as a sign of changing times, many private schools for girls sports have introduced as a compulsory activity. In fact, parents and Arif Hussain, a government servant, whose two daughters are in school cricket team, are always slow comfortable with the idea of ​​taking her girls on the track and field. And yet they are not willing to see this as a viable career option. Representing its amount, says Hussain: "I have not for girls sports as a good career choice to see what's going to pay them in the future There is no room in cricket, especially for the girls in the valley, at least not at the moment.?.. "

Hussain can today on the reality with respect, but if Akhtar and her resolute students have their way then the future will be very different in each case. Howzat for hope!