Hunza district, a breathtakingly beautiful valley in the northern part of Gilgit-Baltistan, known for its picturesque snowcapped mountains, is home to football-loving people where women get equal chances as men.
The beautiful Chipurson Valley of Hunza district, located in the northwest of Sost, consists of only eight scattered villages. However, unlike many other places in Pakistan, girls here are free to indulge in any activity without the pressure of being catcalled, stared at, or harass by random men. It’s not a privilege, but a basic right of everyone to be safe in public spaces.
People in this part of the region – be it Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu, or any other district – are hard-working and self-made. They don’t blame lack of facilities from the government but believe in creating their own opportunities, especially for their females.
The Mountain Girls Premier League
In a similar development, the region had its first Mountain Girls Premier League (MGPL), an exclusive football tournament for young girls in August this year. Organized by local football clubs in collaboration with Gilgit Baltistan Tourism Department, the tournament attracted 10 teams of young women from across the Hunza Valley.
It was so well-organized and passion-filled that it caught the attention of both the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and the FIFA Women’s Football World Cup.
Here are some glimpses of the tournament:
https://twitter.com/Talh_a_Saleem/status/1334543627436109824
Gulmit Star Club at mountains Girls premier league held in gulmit Gilgit baltistan 🇵🇰❤️ pic.twitter.com/2QMRjTg1nn
— Zeeshan Yaseen Junejo (@ZeeYaseenJunejo) October 8, 2020
— Zeeshan Yaseen Junejo (@ZeeYaseenJunejo) October 8, 2020
PFF Coaching Clinics
Soon after the tournament, the PFF Director Technical Daniel Limones conducted coaching clinics for young female football players across Gilgit Baltistan.
PFF is set to conduct coaching clinics for female footballers in Danyore, Gilgit and Gulmit, Hunza on September 3 and 4 respectively.
⚽🇵🇰#pakistanfootball #coachingclinics#GilgitBaltistan pic.twitter.com/PRuzT6qOkc— B𝛐red Ape Yacht CIubᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠ (@PakistanFF) September 2, 2020
The clinics were conducted in Danyore, Gilgit, and Gulmit, Gojal, and Hunza.
Some 150 young footballers from Gilgit and Hunza attended the three-day coaching camp, in which Limones imparted basic training and tips to the players.
PFF Technical Director @daniutus25 conducted coaching clinics for female footballers in Gilgit and Gulmit.
Great to see such an encouraging turnout, they just need better facilities, pathways and coaching.#PakistanFootball #WomensFootball #Gilgit #Gulmit
Pics: @PakistanFF pic.twitter.com/SfxPZSyYom
— FootballPakistan.com (FPDC) (@FootballPak) September 6, 2020
“The programs conducted in Gilgit and Gulmit have been the first successful bites to create that hype and to evolve at the grassroots and in this case with girls and women,” said Limones.
“Everyone must have the same opportunities. For us grassroots and youth are of immense importance,” the Spanish said.
An Opportunity
Local football associations welcomed the PFF move.
It is fascinating to see PFF investing in the right areas. The valley has produced some best female footballers for Pakistan.
He hoped that the initiative will help them excel more.
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