Seerat-Un-Nisa
Bandipora, Dec 08: In North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, where cricket has long been dominated by boys and men, two teenage sisters are quietly reshaping expectations and inspiring a new generation of young girls.
Madiha Fayaz and Sania Fayaz, both promising cricketers, train relentlessly, four to five hours every day, inside the Sher-e-Kashmir stadium Bandipora, often as the only female players on the field.
For decades, the stadium has produced some of Kashmir’s most accomplished male cricketers. Today, however, the loudest statement comes from the determined strides of two girls who refuse to be deterred by social pressure.
“Society here doesn’t allow girls to play,” says Sania, while speaking with the Kashmir Despatch. “Half of the parents are supportive, and the other half are not. I am thankful that my parents let us play, even when people talk.” Sania, who bowls the opening spell and bats in the middle order, dreams of wearing the India jersey one day.
Sania shares that her journey into cricket starts from 2022 when they first started firstly playing cricket at her home and their parents continue to support them then with the help of youth services and sports Bandipora and lift the trophy in the Ut level championship at Poonch which according to him was historic movement and a proud movement for whole team.
Her elder sister Madiha, who led Jammu & Kashmir’s women’s team in a recent championship in Himachal Pradesh, credits her father for her journey. “My inspiration is my father. He supports us in the society where girls are restricted to household chores.”
Madiha believes change must begin at home. “Parents keep girls inside, believing studies alone guarantee success. But what about their dreams?” she asks. “If Smriti Mandhana or Harmanpreet Kaur were stopped from playing, would we see them winning the world cup?”
Madhiha also said that in summers they used to came for practice at 5 am in the morning before going to school at 9 am, but in winters they only practice 2-3 hours.
“It is not easy for a girl to practice in a male dominated stadium. People used to stare at us continuously but now as we have been selected for the upcoming nationals everyone’s mouth has been shut.” She added.
She continues, “women’s cricket is growing day by day.” This year we see Indian women team captain Harmeet Preet Kour lifting World cup trophy and last year RCB won the title of WPL these women gives us hope that women too can go in Cricket fields.”
Our message to every parent is, “Let your daughters play and let them see their dreams.”
