Pakistan’s Tribal Belt: A Young Cricketer’s Talent Sparks Backlash, Highlighting Barriers for Women in Sport
By [Your Name], International Editor, nouvelles-du-monde.com
KARACHI, Pakistan – A viral video of seven-year-old Aina Wazir playing cricket has ignited both celebration and a disturbing backlash in Pakistan’s North Waziristan region, exposing the deep-seated challenges faced by girls and women pursuing athletic dreams in conservative tribal areas. The incident underscores a pattern of forced displacement and social pressure endured by female athletes striving for recognition in a country where tradition often clashes with ambition.
The video, which quickly gained traction on social media, showcased Aina’s remarkable talent, drawing praise and an offer of support from Javed Afridi, CEO of Peshawar Zalmi, who pledged equipment and training. But the attention came at a steep price. Local militants, angered by the public display of a girl playing sport, abducted Zafran Wazir, the teacher who filmed and shared the video, and forced him to publicly apologize for violating “Islamic values and Pashtun traditions,” according to reports. The family has been warned that Aina must not accept any offers and that further videos are forbidden.
The case echoes the experiences of other female athletes from Pakistan’s tribal regions. Professional squash player Noorena Shams, 28, from Dir in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saw a reflection of her own past in Aina’s story. “I was very happy to see the way Aina Wazir was playing cricket,” Shams said. “It was like watching my younger self.” Like Aina, Shams lacked a father figure to advocate for her, and both come from areas bordering Afghanistan, part of Pakistan’s historically conservative tribal belt.
Maria Toorpakai, 35, the first Pakistani tribal woman to compete professionally in international squash, understands the sacrifices required. Toorpakai herself was forced to leave her home in South Waziristan and, at times, disguised herself as a boy – adopting the name “Genghis Khan” – to participate in competitions. Now residing in Toronto, she urges Aina’s family to prioritize her safety and opportunity, even if it means leaving their village.
“Whenever there is a talented girl, every effort should be made to remove her from the toxic environment—even if it means a huge sacrifice from the family,” Toorpakai said.
The obstacles faced by these athletes are not isolated incidents. Squash player Sadia Gul, sprinter Tameen Khan, and cricketer Salma Faiz are among those who have relocated from districts including Bannu, D.I. Khan, and Karak to Peshawar, seeking both better opportunities and respite from constant scrutiny.
“If you’re lucky enough that your grandfather, father, or brother doesn’t put a stop to your dreams, then it will be your uncles,” said Faiz, who now lectures in health and physical education at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University. “And if not them, the neighbours will start counting the minutes you take to get home.”
The situation highlights a broader issue of societal pressure and the silencing of women’s voices. Journalist Razia Mehsood, from South Waziristan, described a region “caught between a rock and a hard place—trapped between militant groups and the Pakistan army’s ongoing armed operations.” She added that people are living under constant psychological strain.
Several organizations and individuals are working to create safe spaces and support systems for female athletes. Faiz has opened her home to girls from tribal regions, while Toorpakai’s Maria Toorpakai Foundation provides a network of support. Toorpakai is currently advocating for the construction of a state-of-the-art sports school, but her proposal remains stalled due to bureaucratic delays.
Shams, elected to key positions within several sports organizations, is championing the mental and physical health of athletes and advocating for the integration of competitive sports into school curricula.
The backlash against Aina Wazir has also sparked debate about the interpretation of religious values. Mufti Ijaz Ahmed, a religious scholar from South Waziristan, argued that girls should cease playing sports once they reach womanhood, deeming it “vulgar.” Toorpakai vehemently refuted this claim, questioning why religious objections are raised against female athletes but not against other societal ills.
Ultimately, Toorpakai argues, the responsibility lies with the state to protect its daughters and foster an environment where talent can flourish. “It is the government’s duty to deal firmly with such elements,” she said. “And if it cannot protect its daughters, then it must ask itself why it is in power at all.”
This report originally appeared on Inter Press Service.