In a positive news coming out of the Kashmir valley, a former stone pelting girl has now turner her life around to become the captain of the Jammu and Kashmir women’s football team.
Afshan Ashiq, a 23 year old girl was photographed last year pelting stones at Jammu and Kashmir police after which the media discovered that she was also passionate footballer. After getting noticed, she managed to get a meeting with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti who promised to promote both her and women football in the state.
This photograph was considered to be tuning point in her sporting career and she is now the captain and goalkeeper of her state’s team which competes in the Indian women league. Apart from this, she also plays for a Mumbai based club.
The efforts of the state’s women’s team were also recognised by Home Minister Rajnath Singh who met them and listened to their demands which include having a better sports infrastructure.
Met the young and energetic girls of J&K’s first ever women football team. They are highly motivated & driven when it comes to football. Playing the role of new age ‘Gender Benders’ these girls are setting an example for others to follow. I wish them success and a great future. pic.twitter.com/3ZlMwhzkXm
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 5, 2017
When asked about the stone pelting incident Afshan claims that it was a one off incident which was prompted by abusive behaviour of a policeman and an alleged slapping of a fellow team member. Now though she asserts that she wants to focus on football and make her state proud.
Another such instance was seen this November when disturbingly a 20 year old Kashimri youth named Majid Khan had joined the terror group Lashkar e Taiba. Soon after this, his mother made a tearful plea for him to return back.
Majid a former footballer who used to play for a local club thankfully decided to pay heed and surrendered to the security forces. Soon after his return, Indian footballing legend Bhaichung Bhutia offered to train him at his New Delhi based academy. As per Bhutiya, if Majid was good enough at football, he would be given a chance to become a professional.
