Breaking tradition, Valley’s young rugby coach proves her mettle

Rifat Mohidin

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 29

Like any other woman, choosing a career different from routine is not easy in the trouble-torn Valley. However, Irtiqa Ayoub (22) has made a name for herself as the youngest rugby coach in Kashmir.

Her day starts at 6 in the morning. She runs for two hours to stay fit. “When I leave on my scooty for practice with my sports kit, people pass comments, but I answer them through my work,” says Irtiqa, who hails from the congested locality of Safa Kadal, where frequent protests and stone-throwing even restrict young boys inside the four walls of their home.

Irtiqa, who started playing rugby in Class XI in Kothi Bagh Higher Secondary School, has taken it upon herself to play and teach other boys and girls the rough game that was completely new to Kashmir 10 years ago.

“I loved sports since childhood. I would play football with the boys in my locality in the narrow lanes,” says Irtiqa, who is a Rugby Development Officer in Kashmir and is training hundreds of boys and girls in schools and colleges.

Irtiqa says her journey has not been easy as she belongs to a family where allowing a girl to work was out of question. But she fought family pressures and society to give wings to her passion. “In my struggle to convince my family, I lost two opportunities of participating in an international rugby tournament. But I am happy that today my family has finally realised,” she said, adding that she has represented J&K in a number of national championships and brought laurels by achieving gold, silver and bronze medals.

Braving cold, Irtiqa, who is pursuing her graduation in arts from Government College for Women, goes straight to Gindun Stadium at Rajbagh to train students from 3 pm to 6 pm.

“Today when my father, who had opposed my choice, sees me training hundreds of boys in a ground feels really proud and fully supports me,” she said, adding that women in the Valley were now shunning societal pressures and making a career in sports.

Irtiqa says women don’t get much support from the government. “I train a number of girls who are get support from their families. Girls need encouragement from their families to prove themselves,” Irtiqa says. Given a chance, women like Irtiqa can reach heights of success.