Karishma & Sumaira, The founder of Gilgit-Baltistan Girls Football League

Sumaira Inayat & Karishma Inayat are two sisters. They belongs to Shimshal village of Gilgit-Baltistan. Shimshal is a small village at an altitude of 3,800m above sea level, having population around 400 people. They are professional football players of Gilgit Baltistan. Now they are coaching the girls of Gilgit Baltistan. Their vision is to promote sport activities in Pakistan. The sisters are the founder of Gilgit-Baltistan Girls Football League in the northern Pakistan.

Karishma started playing football at the age of 14 and this game became her passion. In 2012 she developed interest in football and since then her father supported her. Before this she used to play cricket with her brothers. In the beginning she faced stereotype that girls cant play football and was questioned on her dressing but she kept on playing football with her brothers. Her family have been quite supportive. Lack of facilities and discouraging people always motivated her to do something big and show the world girls can do anything.

Latter, in 2016 she along with her two sisters Sumaira and Ambreen represented Pakistan internationally at Jubilee Games, which was held in Dubai and won a silver medal. The success made her realize that their are so many other girls who want to pursue the same dream but they are not been given any opportunity.

After arriving Pakistan from Dubai, she started a small football club for girls in Shimshal, in-order to minimize the difficulties she faced in her journey to accommodate other girls.

After sometime she came to know that their are so many other girls from different villages who are just waiting for a chance to play. So she and her sister Sumaira took an initiative and founded Gilgit-Baltistan Girls Football League in 2018. The purpose of the league was not only to provide the females with sports opportunities but also to support their educational needs.

Karishma believes if a girl from a small village can represent Pakistan at international level then each and every girl who dreams of representing Pakistan, can do so. Pakistani girls are quite talented and determined, if supported they can achieve anything.

The game of football is an enjoyable and effective way to improve health and well-being. It can relieve stress, increase fitness, improve physical and mental health, and prevent the development of diseases.

The step Karishma Inayat and her sister Sumaira Inayat took has influenced around 200 families in Gilgit Baltistan, who are now associated with this league. She has empowered the women, their families are now supporting them to peruse their dreams, not only in football but also in other fields. These two young girls have made Pakistan proud.

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