The Gilgit-Baltistan Girls Football League

Sumaira Inayat, Pakistan

Sumaira Inayat is the co-Founder of the Gilgit-Baltistan Girls Football League, the first ever league for girls in the North of Pakistan. Her photos and story come from the Passu Valley during the second season of the GBGFL.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football life?

My name is Sumaira Inayat and I belong to the mountains of Northern Pakistan (Shimshal). I started playing football when I was 16. I started football with my sisters, and we were the first girls from Shimshal to play football and represent Pakistan in our community games (Jubilee Games 2016). I also got a full sports scholarship for my undergraduate degree at University of the Punjab, Lahore. At that time football wasn't a common sport and was not really appreciated. Females have to face many societal and financial barriers in pursuing their dreams as an athlete.

I am still enrolled in university as I have to complete my thesis work.  I was working with Atletico Madrid Football Academy in Lahore as an assistant coach. But nowadays I am working as a freelance video editor, as I have a love for photography and filmmaking. I play for my university football team (Punjab University Football Team) and I also play for private clubs in private tournaments. Most of the football clubs are in cities, and not in the North.  And it is difficult for the girls from North to come to cities for football. 

Years of experience in the sport and our dream of changing the situation of female footballers in Pakistan motivated me and my sister to start a league (Gilgit-Baltistan Girls Football League). It's the first ever league for girls in the North of Pakistan. GBGFL is a mission aimed at providing sports opportunities for girls alongside their education. The key point about this league is that it covers all the costs (travel, accommodation, food, kits etc). The idea behind this was to provide girls a platform where they could play without any financial barriers.

Who is in the photos? Where were the photos taken?

The photos were taken in the beautiful Passu Valley during GBGFL Season 2 in 2019. In total 8 teams participated from different remote areas of Hunza. These pictures show the brave and courageous girls from Northern Pakistan, breaking stereotypes and fighting for their future. The team is green is Passu Youth and Sports Board, Team Shishkat was in yellow, Gircha in pink and Sost in red. The girls in blue are from Team Shimshal (the place I come from) and the girl with the baby haircut is Sania Rehman, captain of Team Shimshal. 

The reason for choosing Passu as the venue for our event was that it lies in the centre of Upper Hunza and on the Karakoram Highway, so it is easily accessible for everyone. The community also supported us in every possible way. 

Mount Tupopdon, "The Sun-Drenched mountain", also known as “Passu Cathedral” or “Passu Cones”, towers over the tiny village of Passu. Passu is a tiny bastion of humanity surrounded by the overwhelming power of nature. With its unique structure, it is the most photographed peak of the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Tourists have promoted the peak by giving it new names.  Some call it "Passu Cones" and others "Passu Cathedral". 

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

Some of our teams come from remote areas with little or no experience or knowledge about sports. We feel great pleasure seeing players from those areas improve and become their best. We've seen great changes over the years in the players. Their parents and community have been very supportive and want their daughters to become professional athletes. Unfortunately, our country has not been the best compared to other countries and the negligence by our administration makes it difficult to convince the parents to keep supporting them. Some of our players secured sport-based scholarships in different colleges and universities and are working hard to make a name in the field. They wish to become professional athletes and coaches. They're born talented and a little support by their families and our government would do wonders. 

If you are determined to do something no matter how difficult challenges you face, you will always succeed. This is what I learned from the girls in our league. Despite the harsh ground conditions the girls are so focused towards their goal.

Are there any good stories connected with the people or teams you photographed?

Most of the teams participated for the first time and it was an amazing experience for us as organisers as well as the teams. Despite not even having one proper football ground available in the entire region, these women have defeated all the odds. Seeing such young girls play on a rocky surface, it is not difficult to imagine that they must have suffered a lot of injuries, as well as having their performances hampered by the dust flying from the barren pitches. The bravery and determination of girls is beyond limit. The girls were supported by their parents and community. But not only the players, the supporters also face issues because of the ground - there is no proper sitting area or shade from the harsh weather conditions.

What are the opportunities for female footballers in Pakistan?

Football is still not a very common sport in Pakistan. The ground facilities are bad and expensive, there is no proper system. Cricket is mostly liked by everyone and I believe that cricket has overshadowed other sports, that's why most of the players give up on football. I believe that if the girls are provided better opportunities, nothing can stop them from achieving their goals.

What is the future for the Gilgit-Baltistan Girls Football League?

We started the league to give a platform to the underprivileged girls to come forward to showcase their hidden talents. We see great players being produced over the years. We hope and wish that the platform becomes a stepping-stone not only for the girls of Gilgit-Baltistan but the whole of Pakistan.

The way we have progressed during the past 2 years, we really hope to expand our league in other areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. Our mission is to provide girls an opportunity for their dreams and help them get in touch with international clubs as well. We are really looking forward to collaborating or participating in international events as well.

What role does football play in Pakistani society and your region?

To me football is a “life-changing gadget”. The people from my region have played football for a long time. Players can get full educational scholarships, which is a good thing. Sports makes them confident and focused towards their goal.

What is the writing on the mountain?

The mountain with the writing is known as "ZART PETK" (which means Yellow Mountain), because of its bright colour. The significance of chalking is that it was carved during Didar Mubarak (“Happy Sighting” of 1986. The community of Hunza follow His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV - Aga Khan is the Imam (leader) of the Ismaili Muslims. It was written at the time of Prince Karim Aga Khan's visit to Gojal Passu and Khyber. 

The writing is a welcoming sign. It was designed by Sir Ali Qurban and his team (who are locals of Passu). Since then, Hunza has come a long way and developed into a model valley for many. Every year on the same date, Ismailis (people who follow the Aga Khan) of Hunza Valley celebrate this day as “Salgirah” to commemorate Aga Khan’s visit to Hunza for the first time.